Timebinder.io

A head contractor managing a multi-stage commercial build was facing frequent subcontractor disputes about when specific works were completed and whether weather delays were documented correctly. Paper logs and phone photos lacked trustworthy metadata — dates could be modified, and screenshots were inadmissible as definitive proof.

During the progress claim review, the superintendent noticed discrepancies between the subcontractor’s diary entries and the head contractor’s evidence and requested verifiable proof of when the site logs and photos were originally created. The contractor needed a tamper-proof, independent record showing the timing and integrity of all daily site logs and photographs.

Paper logs and phone photos lacked trustworthy metadata; timestamps could be modified, and screenshots were inadmissible as proof. The contractor needed a tamper-proof, independent record confirming when each log and photo was captured.

What Was at Stake

• Progress payment claims exceeding $1.2 million.
• Dispute risk around delays, defects, and completion milestones.
• Potential contract penalties for alleged late delivery.
• Company reputation for project transparency and reliability.

Without verifiable timestamps, even genuine records could be challenged.

How TimeBinder Was Applied

1. The site engineer exported the day’s photo log and diary entry as a PDF and image set.
2. Files were timestamped through TimeBinder each evening.
3. The site engineer used a routine end-of-day workflow to timestamp exported Procore records through TimeBinder.
4. Each timestamp generated a Proof of Time Certificate including:
   • File hash (SHA-256)
   • Blockchain transaction ID
   • UTC timestamp
   • Verification link
5. Certificates were stored in the shared project folder for future audit or claim validation.

Proof Artifact Used

• Artifact: Proof of Time Certificate (PDF)
• Blockchain Reference: Bitcoin
• Verification Method: File hash comparison
• File Types: .PDF (diary), .JPG (photos), .CSV (activity logs)
• Verification Result: Pass — timestamps matched original capture sequence

Result

When a subcontractor disputed the completion date of formwork, the contractor produced TimeBinder certificates verifying that the daily logs and photos were timestamped on the actual workdays. The independent verification resolved the claim quickly — saving weeks of adjudication and potential penalties.

Auditors later praised the system for its clarity and compliance with recordkeeping standards.

Outcome

• Dispute resolved: Yes
• Accepted as evidence: Yes (independent verifier link provided)
• Time saved: Approx. 3 weeks in avoided adjudication
• Policy change: TimeBinder adopted for all project documentation company-wide

Find out more about how TimeBinder verifies files here.

Why Blockchain Construction Timestamping Matters

Construction projects rely on trust, documentation, and timing. Progress claims, defect disputes, and weather delays all hinge on when events occurred — yet most evidence is stored on devices or systems that can be edited. A changed phone date or re-saved photo can cast doubt on the entire project timeline. That’s why blockchain construction timestamping is becoming a core verification tool for forward-thinking contractors.

Using TimeBinder, site teams timestamp daily diaries, inspection photos, and progress reports directly from the field. The process creates a SHA-256 hash — a cryptographic fingerprint — of each file. That hash is then written to the Bitcoin blockchain, producing a permanent, verifiable record of existence at a specific UTC time. The files themselves stay private; only their fingerprints are anchored on-chain.

Each timestamp generates a Proof of Time Certificate, which contains:

• The file’s SHA-256 hash
• The Bitcoin transaction ID
• The immutable blockchain reference
• A live verification link

These certificates can be stored with project documents, shared via cloud folders, or attached to claims for independent validation.

Because the Bitcoin network has operated continuously since 2009 — securing trillions in value and over a billion transactions — it delivers unparalleled trust. To alter a single timestamp would require rewriting the entire blockchain’s history across tens of thousands of nodes worldwide, an impossible task. And even as quantum computing evolves, Bitcoin’s cryptography (SHA-256 and elliptic curve signatures) remains quantum-resistant, ensuring data anchored today will stay verifiable for decades.

Benefits for Contractors and Clients

Implementing blockchain timestamping streamlines compliance and dispute resolution. When claims arise, the contractor simply presents the corresponding Proof of Time Certificates to confirm when works were documented. This eliminates guesswork and strengthens every stage claim or delay submission.

Key advantages include:

• Dispute prevention: neutral, tamper-proof evidence.
• Faster adjudication: clear, verifiable timelines.
• Improved transparency: trusted records for clients and regulators.
• Compliance assurance: alignment with ISO and audit requirements.

For companies managing multiple sites, TimeBinder can be integrated into existing systems such as Procore or Aconex workflows. The end-of-day process takes seconds: export the daily diary, photos, or CSV logs, timestamp them via TimeBinder, and store the certificates. Over time, this builds a continuous, immutable chain of project documentation that protects both the contractor and the client.

Key Takeaway

Construction documentation must be more than organised — it must be verifiable. Blockchain construction timestamping transforms site diaries, progress photos, and reports into irrefutable digital evidence. With TimeBinder, contractors gain indisputable proof of when each activity occurred, preserving trust, transparency, and contract integrity across every project.