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Construction glossary
Construction Glossary •

Percentage-of-Completion

What is percentage of completion?

Percentage of completion (POC) is a metric that represents the proportion of work completed on a construction project at a given point in time. It is expressed as a percentage of the total contracted work. The POC is important to subcontractor workflows for several reasons:

  • Payment schedules: Most construction contracts stipulate that subcontractors receive payment based on the percentage of work completed rather than a lump sum payment at the end of the project. The POC determines the amount of payment that a subcontractor can request from the general contractor (GC) or the project owner for the work performed during a specific billing period.
  • Cash flow management: Subcontractors rely on progress payments to maintain a healthy cash flow and cover expenses such as labor, materials, and equipment. The POC directly impacts the timing and amount of progress payments received, allowing subcontractors to plan and manage their financial resources effectively.
  • Project monitoring and control: Tracking the POC helps subcontractors monitor their progress against the project schedule and budget. It enables them to identify potential delays or cost overruns early on, allowing for prompt corrective actions.
  • Dispute resolution: In the event of disputes or claims related to payment or project delays, POC documentation can serve as evidence to support the subcontractor's position and substantiate their claims for outstanding payments or compensation.
  • Resource allocation: By monitoring the POC, subcontractors can better plan and allocate their resources (labor, materials, equipment, etc.) across multiple projects, ensuring efficient utilization and avoiding resource conflicts or shortages.
  • Project closeout: The POC is crucial during the project closeout phase, as it helps determine the final payment due to the subcontractor and ensures that all work has been completed according to the contract terms.

Overall, POC serves as a versatile tool throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial payment requests to final closeout. And with Siteline, managing POC workflows becomes effortless. Siteline makes progress billing a cinch by:

  • Generating custom pay applications with real-time POC calculations
  • Offering intuitive dashboards for clear financial visualization and decision-making
  • Integrating with GC payment portals for accurate, timely pay application submissions
  • Centralizing all documentation for enhanced collaboration and communication

Book a demo today to experience how Siteline can empower your team to make informed decisions, maintain a steady cash flow, and ensure successful project closeouts.

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Other construction terms

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

What is Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)?

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) in the construction industry represents the direct costs associated with the production of goods or services that a company sells. These costs may comprise the cost of raw materials such as lumber, steel, concrete; direct labor costs; storage costs, and direct utility costs. It can also include direct expenses like subcontractor costs, labor burden (i.e., benefits, insurance, taxes related to employee wages), material costs, and equipment costs that are directly attributable to a project's completion. COGS does not include indirect expenses such as sales and distribution costs or overhead costs such as office rent and utilities. In essence, COGS in construction is directly tied to specific projects and is a key factor in determining a project's gross profit and thus a company´s profitability.

Accrued Expenses

What are Accrued Expenses?

Accrued expenses in the construction industry refer to the costs that have been incurred but not yet paid for by the end of an accounting period. These could include expenses related to labor, materials, utilities, equipment rentals, and other operational costs integral to a construction project. For example, a construction company may have used subcontractors for a part of the ongoing project, but the bill has not been paid by the end of the accounting period. This cost forms 'accrued expenses'. Even though these expenses are unpaid, they are recorded in the company’s income statement for that period, which allows for accurate reflection of costs associated with revenues earned. Accrual accounting methods offer a more precise measurement of a construction company’s financial health, providing a comprehensive picture of its earnings and expenditures.

Joint Check Agreement

What is a Joint Check Agreement?

A Joint Check Agreement is a contractual agreement in the construction industry used to ensure all parties involved in a project get paid. This agreement involves primarily three parties - the property owner, general contractor, and subcontractor or material supplier. The property owner or general contractor issues a check payable to both the subcontractor and materials supplier, providing a layer of protection against mechanic's lien. This means both parties must endorse the check for it to be cashed, ensuring the funds are distributed appropriately. This way, it mitigates the risk of non-payment for subcontractors and suppliers. Additionally, it helps the owner or general contractor to ensure project progression without disputes or delays related to payment issues. However, details of the agreement, like the proportion of payment to each party, need to be clearly outlined to avoid potential conflicts.

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