What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)?

Direct labor in the construction industry refers to the workforce directly involved in the construction, alteration or development of a project. This primarily includes on-site workers like carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, concrete finishers, steel workers and others who are hands-on in assembling, fabricating, and finishing physical components of a constructed entity. These are the personnel who directly contribute to the construction process by physically constructing or installing components of the project. The expenses incurred for this labor force, including their wages, benefits, and any associated costs, are considered as direct labor costs. It is crucial as the effectiveness and efficiency of the direct labor can greatly impact the project's quality, cost, and timeline. Therefore, project managers in the construction industry often focus a great deal on managing and optimizing direct labor.

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.

Actual cost, in the construction industry, refers to the accurate amount reasonably spent on a project. This includes every expense incurred during the planning, development, and execution phases. The actual cost often encompasses material expenses, labor charges, equipment costs, and any additional overhead related to the project. For instance, the cost of bricks, cement, construction tools, and an hourly wage for workers constitutes the actual cost. It may differ from the estimated cost due to unforeseen circumstances or changes in the project scope. Monitoring the actual cost is vital for maintaining a project's budget and preventing financial oversights.