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Construction glossary

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.

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Other construction terms

Field

What is a Field?

A field in the construction industry refers to a physical area or a project site where construction activities take place. These fields are typically outdoors, such as building sites or highway projects, and can range from open spaces to restricted and confined areas. Fieldwork involves various construction tasks like excavation, foundation setting, erecting structures, piping, and landscaping. Field operations are significant in shaping the entire construction project, influencing cost, time, quality, and safety. It's important to note that the field is where the practical application of engineering designs happens, turning blueprints into reality.

Accrued Revenue

What is Accrued Revenue?

Accrued revenue is the income a subcontractor has earned for work performed or in progress but has not yet billed (the general contractor or client) or received payment for. This typically happens due to the nature of construction contracts, where payments are often tied to milestones or project completion.

Example: An electrical subcontractor working on a large commercial building is paid based on completed milestones, with invoices due at the end of each month. By June 30th, they've finished 75% of the $100,000 job, but can't invoice until month-end. The $75,000 earned but not yet invoiced is their accrued revenue.

Tracking accrued revenue is crucial for accurate financial reporting, as it reflects the subcontractor’s economic activity for the period—even before invoicing or receiving payment. To gain even deeper financial insights, many subcontractors turn to Siteline. Our tool is tailored to help track pay application statuses and amounts owed, empowering subcontractors to make more informed, strategic decisions. Experience the benefits firsthand by scheduling a Siteline demo today.

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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