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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

Job Costing

What is Job Costing?

Job Costing, in the context of the construction industry, is a specific accounting methodology used to track costs and profitability associated with individual projects. It hinges on a project-by-project approach, meaning every construction project is treated as its own separate financial entity with its associated expenditures and revenues. This process might involve itemizing labor rates, material expenses, subcontracting work, equipment usage, direct and indirect costs, etc - all attributable to a particular job. Through this project-centric focus, construction firms can assess the financial success of each job, understand where costs are exceeding estimates or budgets, thereby facilitating better bidding, budgeting, and overall project management in future projects. It's a critical tool for aligning project performance with business profitability goals.

Construction Accounting

What is Construction Accounting?

Construction accounting is a distinct form of project-based accounting, designed specifically for the construction industry. It involves detailed tracking of costs, financial management of project timelines, and profitability review of contracts. There are complexities unique to this accounting model, considering the long duration of construction projects and the need for rigorous cost segregation for equipment, labor, materials, and overheads.Construction accounting is central to construction economics, where accurate estimates and cost control determine the overall profitability of a project. It places emphasis on job costing, which identifies costs by specific contracts or jobs, allowing project managers and accountants to track cost effectiveness accurately. It's not just about recording transactions, but providing essential information for operational efficiency and strategic planning.

Surety

What is a Surety?

A surety in construction is a company that provides financial guarantees, typically in the form of bonds, to ensure that contractors fulfill their contractual obligations. The surety acts as a third-party guarantor, promising to step in and complete the work or compensate for damages if the contractor fails to meet their commitments.

Sureties issue various types of construction bonds, including bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds. These bonds protect project owners from financial loss and give them confidence that contractors can deliver on their promises. To obtain bonding, contractors must demonstrate financial stability, technical expertise, and a track record of successful project completion.

For subcontractors, working with bonded general contractors provides payment protection, but maintaining your own bonding capacity is equally important for winning larger projects. Sureties evaluate contractors based on several factors, including financial health, project experience, and accounts receivable aging. Since poor A/R management can hurt your bonding capacity and disqualify you from major projects, keeping payments flowing quickly becomes critical for more than just cash flow.

Siteline helps subcontractors maintain healthier A/R aging by streamlining billing processes, providing visibility into payment statuses, and creating automated reminders to stay on top of collections. This all positively impact bonding evaluations and keep more opportunities within reach. Learn more about Siteline.

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