What is Payroll?

A general contractor (GC), also commonly referred to as a prime contractor, is the main contractor responsible for managing an entire construction project. They are in direct contact with the build’s owner/developer and hold primary responsibility for the construction, execution, quality, and completion of the project under the agreed terms and schedules. As such, the GC addresses concerns and resolves issues related to the project, contributing to the effective execution and timely delivery. The GC also manages the procurement of materials, labor, and equipment, ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations.

A critical part of the GC’s job is hiring and managing trade contractors, also known as subcontractors, who specialize in specific construction trades like electrical, plumbing, framing, etc. The GC essentially acts as a hub, contracting out portions of the work to skilled trade contractors while retaining overall control of the project operations.

GCs have a vested interest in working with subcontractors who not only are highly skilled in their respective trades but also have efficient, well-defined operational and financial workflows to ensure reliability and consistency in their performance. Streamlined billing processes are crucial in this regard. When subcontractors can quickly and accurately generate pay applications—complete with the necessary compliance documentation and lien waivers—it allows the GC to bill the project’s owner promptly and get paid faster. Delays in subcontractor billing can significantly impede the GC’s ability to get paid in time, thereby causing delays in payments to other contractors, too. 

This is where a solution like Siteline can ultimately benefit GCs by helping their subcontractors streamline billing processes. Siteline accelerates subcontractor billing by automatically generating pay apps per GC specifications, tracking compliance requirements, managing change orders and lien waivers, and providing payment visibility. When subcontractors use Siteline to automate billing, GCs receive accurate, compliant pay applications faster, allowing them to bill project owners promptly and get paid quicker as a result.

See how Siteline can accelerate your construction billing cycle and get you paid faster by scheduling a demo today.

A quantity survey, also known as a bill of quantities (BOQ), in the construction industry is a detailed analysis and estimation of all parts, materials, and costs associated with a construction project. This process is carried out by a professional known as a quantity surveyor. The surveyor evaluates the quantities of materials needed, required labor, groundwork needed, and the overall time frame of the project. They also consider other variables to provide an accurate cost analysis, like the complexity of the project, the potential risks, and the market conditions.

The main purpose of a quantity survey is to:

• Accurately estimate the cost of a construction project: By quantifying all the required materials and resources, the quantity survey helps contractors and clients estimate the total cost of the project accurately. For subcontractors specifically, quantity surveys are used to price out the cost of their portion of the work, ensuring they quote competitively while accounting for all the necessary materials and labor.
• Facilitate bidding and tendering: The quantity survey provides a standardized format for subcontractors to prepare their bids based on the same information, ensuring fair competition during the tendering process.
• Control project costs: During the construction phase, the quantity survey serves as a reference point for monitoring and controlling costs, as actual quantities used can (and should) be compared against estimated quantities.
• Manage changes: If the original scope of work changes or varies, the quantity survey serves as a baseline for evaluating and negotiating the cost implications of those changes.

A quantity survey is essential for subcontractors to accurately estimate costs, plan resources, and manage project scope. While not directly integrated, solutions like Siteline allow subcontractors to leverage quantity survey data to streamline their billing processes.

• Subcontractors can generate payment applications in Siteline that reflect completed work items and quantities from the survey, minimizing disputes.
• Some clients use Siteline's billing and A/R reports to help quantity surveyors and estimators account for contractors with longer payment cycles. They can either increase bids for those contractors to offset delays or revise terms to penalize late payments.
• Siteline also seamlessly tracks change orders, enabling subcontractors to easily update payment applications and lien waivers when project scope changes, keeping everything documented and billed accurately.

By bridging the gap between contracted scope and actual billing, Siteline enables subcontractors to focus on execution while ensuring prompt, accurate payments. Experience the power of efficient payment management tailored for subcontractors. Schedule a demo of Siteline today.

Uninstalled materials refer to construction materials that have been purchased but are yet to be put in place or installed in a construction project. They are typically stored on-site or at a secure location and are accounted for in a contractor's Work-In-Progress report. These materials may include items like bricks, steel, concrete, wood, electrical wiring, piping, insulation, and fixtures. It is crucial for project managers to properly track and manage these materials as they represent a significant investment and, if misplaced, lost, or damaged, could lead to costly delays and overruns in the project. Their handling requires proper planning to ensure safe storage, timely installation, and effective use in the construction process.