.svg)
Billings in Excess of Costs
What is Billings in Excess of Costs?
Billings in excess of costs (also called overbillings) occur when you’ve invoiced your client for more work than you’ve actually completed or incurred costs for. In other words, it represents getting paid ahead of your work schedule.
Here’s how it works: If you’re a concrete subcontractor on a $100,000 job and you bill 50% upfront ($50,000) but have only completed $30,000 worth of work, that $20,000 difference is your billings in excess of costs. You owe your client that work, and until you complete it, that $20,000 remains as a liability on your balance sheet.
For subcontractors, understanding billing in excess of costs is essential because it can be a strategic cash flow tool when used carefully. For example, when bidding on a job, you can be smart about how you structure your schedule of values (SOV)—breaking work down into more detailed line items that allow earlier billing. However, this strategy requires regular monitoring to ensure:
- Your billing somewhat aligns with your actual percentage complete, and
- The remaining contract value will still cover your remaining costs.
The biggest risk of overbilling is thinking your margins look better than they are, simply because you’re collecting cash faster. Surety companies and lenders also scrutinize overbillings closely, as excessive amounts can signal poor project management or potential cash flow problems down the road.
With Siteline, you can easily track whether you’re billing in excess of your costs by pulling your month-to-month incurred costs and comparing them against your billing progress. This real-time visibility helps ensure you’re billing appropriately while maintaining realistic profitability expectations. If you’re interested in seeing for yourself, schedule a personalized demo of Siteline here.
Trusted by trade contractors across the country
Other construction terms
What is a Job Cost Structure?
A Job Cost Structure in the construction industry refers to the detailed categorization and allocation of costs associated with a specific construction job or project. These costs are typically divided into direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include materials, labor, and equipment used specifically for the project. Indirect costs, also known as overheads, include costs that support the project such as administrative expenses, insurance, and utilities. The job cost structure enables managers to monitor project expenses closely, helping in managing budget and ensuring project profitability. It is a fundamental element in construction project management, improving cost control and financial accuracy.
What is a Payment Bond?
A payment bond is a type of surety bond commonly used in the construction industry to guarantee that subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers will be paid for their work and materials on a project—even if the prime contractor faces financial difficulties. This security allows subcontractors to manage their cash flow more effectively and take on projects with reduced financial risk. Additionally, payment bonds help prevent the need for subcontractors to file liens against the property, which can be a complex and time-consuming process.
For subcontractors, working on bonded projects requires attention to detail in documentation and adherence to specific procedures. They must maintain accurate records of work performed and materials supplies, as these may be necessary to support a claim against the bond if payment issues arise. Therefore, subcontractors must familiarize themselves with the bond’s terms, claim processes, and any statutory limitations or notice requirements.
To that end, implementing a solution, like Siteline, to centralize financial data—including bond-related information—across all your projects is incredibly helpful in managing payment bonds. Siteline can also:
- Track payment schedules and alerting users to potential delays
- Provide cash flow forecasts that account for bond-secured payments
- Offer insights into project financial health to preempt payment issues
To see how Siteline can streamline your payment bond management—and your billing and collections workflows as a whole—request a personalized demo today!
What is Material Overhead?
Material Overhead in the construction industry refers to the indirect costs associated with handling and storing materials used for construction projects. This can encompass a wide range of expenses, such as the cost of storage facilities or warehouses, transportation and delivery costs, insurance, equipment maintenance and repair, and any costs associated with waste disposal or recycling. From a more managerial financial standpoint, material overhead can also include costs related to procurement processes, such as the salaries and benefits of the staff involved in purchasing and inventory management. Accurately calculating and managing material overhead costs is critical in the construction industry, as these costs can greatly affect a project's overall budget and profitability.
Ready to end the fire drill and get paid faster?
