Breaking Ground
What is Breaking Ground?
Breaking Ground, in the context of the construction industry, refers to the initial stage of a new construction project. This process often commences with a ceremonial event, typically involving the initial digging into the ground, symbolizing the beginning of the construction project. It is the first step towards site preparation which involves various tasks including soil testing, land clearing, excavation, and leveling among others. Breaking ground signifies the transition from the planning and designing phase into the physical building phase of a project. The event is usually marked with utmost importance as it indicates the project's commencement and is often attended by the project stakeholders, from contracting company representatives to local government officials. This signifies the beginning of the transformation of a blueprint into a tangible structure.
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Other construction terms
What is a General Ledger (G/L)?
A General Ledger (G/L) in the construction industry is a fundamental financial tool for recording all financial transactions of a construction company including assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses. It not only reflects every financial transaction related to a construction project, but also contains crucial details such as date, description, and transaction amount. Essentially, the G/L acts as the core of a construction company's financial record system where all transaction data from sub-ledgers or modules, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management, are consolidated. It provides a comprehensive financial picture necessary for reporting and strategic decision-making in the construction business. By regularly maintaining and auditing the G/L, construction companies can ensure financial accuracy and compliance, as well as evaluate their financial performance and stability.
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 financial health, providing a comprehensive picture of its earnings and expenditures.
What is Underbilling?
Underbilling refers to a scenario in the construction industry where the actual costs incurred on a project surpass the billed amount for a specific time period. Often occurring unintentionally due to unexpected cost variations, it results in a deficit situation for the contractor. It is essentially an imbalance where the contractor has delivered more work or materials than they have billed the client for. Underbilling can strain cash flow and disrupt project schedules if not addressed promptly. While this might prove beneficial to the client in the short term, contractors need to ensure that they identify and rectify underbilling to maintain project profitability and financial stability.