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A change order is an official amendment to a construction contract that modifies the original scope of work, timeline, or contract price. Unlike simple invoice adjustments, change orders require formal documentation and approval from all project parties before payment can be made. These modifications happen frequently in construction projects as conditions change, unforeseen issues arise, or clients request additional work beyond the original contract specifications.

For subcontractors, proper change order management can make the difference between getting paid for extra work and eating the costs. The challenge goes beyond just documenting changes—it's staying on top of approvals, tracking work that's moving forward without final sign-off, and making sure everything gets billed correctly. Too often, change orders get lost in email chains, verbal requests never get formalized, or approved changes don't make it into the next billing cycle, leaving subcontractors stuck with unbillable work. (For a detailed breakdown of change order processes and best practices, check out our change order guide.)

Siteline eliminates these change order headaches by tracking approval status in real-time, identifying which change orders are proceeding without final sign-off, and automatically incorporating approved changes into your billing schedule. With Siteline, you'll never lose sight of a change order again. Request a personalized demo to see how Siteline can protect your payments.

A pre-lien notice, also known as a preliminary notice, is a legal document used in the construction industry to secure payment rights for subcontractors, material suppliers, and other parties involved in the construction project. It is a crucial step in securing the right to payment and can, therefore, directly impact subcontractor cash flows.

The purpose of a pre-lien notice is to inform the property owner, general contractor (GC), and other relevant parties that a subcontractor or supplier has provided labor, materials, or services to the project. By submitting a pre-lien notice, the subcontractor establishes their right to file a mechanic's lien if they are not paid for their work.

The steps to secure payment through the pre-lien notice process are as follows:

1. Pre-lien (preliminary) notice: This notice should be submitted at the start of every project, typically within a specified time frame after the subcontractor begins work or delivers materials. It serves as a formal notification of the subcontractor's involvement and their intent to protect their right to payment.
2. Notice of intent (NOI): If the subcontractor is not paid for their work after submitting the pre-lien notice, they can issue a notice of intent (NOI) to the property owner, general contractor, and other parties involved. The NOI is the final warning before filing a mechanic's lien, indicating that the subcontractor intends to take legal action to secure payment if the outstanding balance remains unpaid.
3. Mechanic's lien: If the subcontractor still does not receive payment after issuing the NOI, they can file a mechanic's lien against the property. A mechanic's lien is a legal claim that encumbers the property, preventing the owner from selling or refinancing until the debt is resolved. This action is typically a last resort to recover unpaid balances. (Check out this blog post to better understand how mechanic’s liens work.)

Siteline—the only billing software built specifically for subcontractors—centralizes and tracks billing statuses across all projects. It provides real-time notifications when payments become overdue, empowering accounting teams to take an active role in collections—like, issuing an NOI (the next step after submitting a pre-lein notice)—to promptly recover payments.

Interested in seeing how Siteline can give you more visibility into your cash flow? Schedule your personalized demo here.

A transmittal in construction is a formal document that accompanies the delivery of project materials like drawings, specifications, reports, or samples. It’s like a receipt that creates an official record of what was sent, when it was sent, and who received it.

Transmittals typically include document details, revision numbers, dates, and any special instructions about enclosed materials. They’re essential for keeping everyone—from the field to the back office—on the same page throughout the project.

Just like transmittals ensure project documents don't get lost in the shuffle, Siteline brings that same level of transparency to subcontractor billing workflows. It gives subcontractors a centralized solution for managing pay applications, tracking compliance and payments, and spotting cash flow holdups before they derail operations. Interested in learning more? Book some time with us.