Construction CBA Time Tracking: What You Must Record
In construction, time tracking is a serious obligation. The CAO Bouw & Infra 2025–2027, agreed between Bouwend Nederland and FNV, sets concrete requirements for recording working hours, travel time and rest periods. Ignoring these rules risks back-payments and employment law disputes. This article explains exactly what you must log, how the 13-hour threshold works, and how digital time tracking keeps you compliant.
Not legal advice. Consult a tax adviser or legal specialist for your specific situation.
What Does the CAO Bouw & Infra Require?
The CAO Bouw & Infra 2025–2027 distinguishes three categories that must be recorded separately:
Category What to record Why it matters Working hours Start, end and breaks per day Basis for wage calculation Travel time Journey from home to site Determines travel allowance Rest periods Breaks and daily rest Obligation under the Working Hours Act
According to the CAO Bouw & Infra 2025–2027, the recording obligation applies to both site workers and employers. Both parties are responsible for accurate, verifiable records. Wage tables were updated on 1 July 2026, meaning your system must handle current rates.
For a broader overview of time tracking obligations, see our article Is time tracking legally required in the Netherlands?.
The 13-Hour Threshold: How It Works in Practice
Imagine you manage a mid-sized construction firm. Your workers drive directly from home to rotating sites, sometimes up to 90 minutes each way. How do those hours count?
Under the CAO Bouw & Infra, the 13-hour threshold determines when overtime supplements apply. The combined total of working time and travel time per day triggers different pay rates once it exceeds 13 hours under the CBA.
In practice, this goes wrong quickly:
- Travel from home to site counts; travel to the company depot generally does not.
- Rotating locations mean varying travel times, and manual tracking is error-prone.
- Overtime calculations depend on correctly combining both categories.
A digital tool that automatically merges travel and working hours prevents calculation errors and provides a clear breakdown for both employees and payroll processors.
Try PrikKlokPlus for free and see how to record work, travel and rest in one overview.
Mileage Records and Time Tracking: Is the Combination Enough?
A common question in construction is whether a mileage log combined with time tracking satisfies all compliance requirements. The combination can be sufficient, provided the two are linked.
A mileage log records where and when someone travelled. Time tracking records how long someone worked. Only when the data is combined can you:
- Demonstrate that travel time has been correctly registered
- Automatically calculate the 13-hour threshold
- Present a complete file during an inspection or payroll audit
Organisations still using separate spreadsheets risk missing that link. Our article Excel vs. time tracking software: which is right for you? explains when it makes sense to switch to a dedicated tool.
Freelancers working as subcontractors in construction also face specific recording obligations, particularly those seeking tax benefits. See 1,225-Hour Criterion: How to Track It Correctly for details.
Not legal advice. Consult a tax adviser for your specific fiscal situation.
Digital Time Tracking for Construction: What to Look For
Not every time tracking tool suits the construction sector. Key requirements include:
- Mobile input on site, since workers rarely have a laptop to hand.
- Separate travel time logging, not merged with working hours.
- Project allocation, so hours can be assigned to specific projects or contract items.
- A CBA-compliant export in a format payroll processors can import directly.
- A calendar view for a quick overview per week or period.
With PrikKlokPlus you record work, travel and rest separately, see hours per project at a glance, and export summaries compatible with standard payroll software. The calendar view feature makes it straightforward to review and approve weekly timesheets.
Conclusion
Time tracking in construction is more complex than in most other sectors. The CAO Bouw & Infra 2025–2027 requires separate recording of working hours, travel time and rest periods. The 13-hour threshold determines when overtime rates apply, and that calculation is easy to get wrong manually. A digital tool combining all three categories is a practical necessity for any construction business that wants to stay compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must travel time always be recorded in construction? According to the CAO Bouw & Infra, travel time must be recorded when a worker travels directly from home to site. These hours count towards travel allowances and the 13-hour threshold.
What is the 13-hour threshold in the CAO Bouw & Infra? It is the point at which the combined total of working time and travel time per day triggers overtime supplements under the CBA. Once the sum exceeds 13 hours, higher pay rates apply.
Do self-employed workers in construction have to track hours? Freelancers are not covered by the CAO Bouw & Infra, but the Dutch Tax Authority states that they have their own recording obligation for tax purposes, including the 1,225-hour criterion. Read more in Time tracking as a freelancer: 5 tips for accurate invoicing. Consult a tax adviser for your personal situation.
Does a paper timesheet satisfy CBA compliance? Technically it can, but the risk of errors and missing links is significant. In the event of a payroll audit or employment dispute, a digital, time-stamped file that separately records work, travel and rest provides considerably stronger evidence.
Were the wage tables updated in 2026? Yes. Wage tables for site workers were updated on 1 July 2026 as part of the CAO Bouw & Infra 2025–2027. Check that both your payroll software and time tracking tool apply the current rates.
Ready to set up CBA-compliant time tracking?