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Construction glossary
Construction Glossary •

Business Interruption Insurance

What is Business Interruption Insurance?

Business Interruption Insurance, specific to the construction industry, is a critical coverage type that helps cover the loss of income suffered by a construction business when its operations are halted due to an unforeseen disaster, such as fires, floods, or other significant damages. This insurance can compensate for expenses like paying staff, renting alternative spaces, and even projected profit loss. For instance, if a storm damages a construction site, delaying work, the insurance will provide funds till normal operations can resume. It assists in ensuring the business continues surviving financially during the restoration period, adding a safety net for unpredictable circumstances. Given the nature of the construction industry, which is fraught with various perils, this insurance is of utmost importance.

Trusted by trade contractors across the country

Other construction terms

Schedule of Values (SOV)

What is a Schedule of Values (SOV)?

A Schedule of Values (SOV) is a detailed breakdown of a construction contract that itemizes the total contract amount into specific work categories, phases, or deliverables. It shows the dollar value assigned to each component of work that’ll be completed during a construction project. As such, the SOV is a critical component of successful project and cash flow management. It also lays the groundwork for progress billing and payment applications (like AIA® G702/G703® forms).

Here’s how it works: 

  • Contractors create initial SOVs that allocate contract value across work phases.
  • They maintain the SOVs to align with actual work schedules and ensure billing requests match project progress.
  • SOVs get updated when changes occur on the job, altering the original scope and budget.

As you can imagine, managing multiple SOVs across projects while tracking actual costs against line items becomes complex and time-consuming.

Siteline streamlines this entire process by integrating with major construction ERPs and accounting software. Subs import project data from their ERP into Siteline, compile and send pay apps directly in the system (accounting for any change orders), and then rest easy knowing that Siteline automatically syncs approved invoices back to the ERP. 

The result? Faster billing cycles and quicker payments. Want to see how it works? Book some time with us.

Davis-Bacon

What is Davis-Bacon?

Davis-Bacon refers to the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, a pivotal labor law in the United States that impacts the construction industry. Established by Congress, this act ensures that workers on federal construction projects are paid at least the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area. This commonly applies to federally funded or assisted construction projects such as public buildings, highways or dams. The main goal of this law is to prevent non-local or out-of-state contractors from low-balling local firms on wages, providing a level playing field for all contractors and protecting local labor markets.

Time-and-Materials Contract

What is a Time and Materials Contract?

A Time and Materials Contract, often abbreviated as T&M, is a specific type of contract commonly used in the construction industry. It is a contractual format that indicates that the client will pay based on actual costs: the direct labor hours worked (time), the materials directly used in the final product, and a fixed add-on to cover overhead and profits. Unlike fixed-cost contracts, T&M agreements provide greater flexibility as the scope of work can change without having to negotiate a new contract. This type of contract is generally applied in projects where the full extent of the work cannot be determined at the outset. However, their major downside is the potential risk of cost overruns, which makes client oversight crucial.

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