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Construction glossary
Construction Glossary •

Cash Flow Projection

What is a Cash Flow Projection?

A Cash Flow Projection in the construction industry is a financial document that estimates income and expenditure of a project over a specific period of time. This projection tool helps construction managers to anticipate revenues, costs and possible shortfalls. This anticipation is crucial for construction projects, which can be resource-intensive and cost-laden with potentially varying income streams, especially in long-term projects. Utilizing a cash flow projection enables the company to plan and budget funds accordingly. It helps to forecast financial needs, spot potential financing gaps, manage resources efficiently and ensures continuous operations to meet project deadlines. The projection contributes in making informed decisions regarding purchasing materials, subcontracting labor, and managing other direct and indirect costs. Accuracy in these projections can make a significant difference in profitability and sustainability of a construction business.

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Other construction terms

Days Working Capital

What is Days Working Capital?

Days Working Capital (DWC) in the construction industry is a financial metric used to measure the effectiveness of a company's short term liquidity and operational efficiency. It's calculated by dividing working capital by daily operating expenses. The result represents the number of days a company can continue its operations with the current level of working capital. A lower DWC indicates a company is managing its cash flow efficiently, and a higher DWC may suggest a company is not using its short-term assets efficiently. The construction industry often has a high DWC because of the long project durations and upfront material and labor costs that are required before payment is received. In other words, they have money tied up in work-in-progress. So, for a construction company, it's crucial to manage DWC effectively to maintain a healthy cash flow and remain competitive.

Lump Sum Billing

What is Lump Sum Billing?

Lump Sum Billing in the construction industry refers to a fixed contract price for the completion of all work required for a specific project. This means that the contractor agrees to complete the whole project at a specific set cost irrespective of the amount of resources and time spent on the project. The contractor bears all the risk and is responsible for any cost overruns. Lump sum billing is commonly used in construction due to its simplicity, as the entire project is billed one time for one set amount.

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.

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