What is a Claim?
In the construction industry, a claim refers to a request or demand for compensation or remediation rights. Such claims often emerge for varying reasons, including unexpected project situations, changes in project scope, unforeseen conditions, or disputes over contract interpretations. For instance, if a construction team encounters an unexpected geological impediment on a site, delaying the project, they might file a claim to recover the costs caused by this delay. These claims are typically addressed in detail within the terms and conditions of construction contracts and might have to be resolved in court or through arbitration if the two parties cannot reach an agreement. It is imperative for every party involved in any construction project to be aware of potential claims to understand their rights and obligations. Therefore, effective claim management is key to successful construction project execution.
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Other construction terms
What is Overhead?
Overhead, in the context of the construction industry, refers to the general, ongoing expenses associated with managing a construction company or project that cannot be directly linked to individual construction jobs or projects. These expenses can include administrative costs such as office rentals, utility costs, support staff salaries, and costs associated with legal compliance, insurance, and marketing. Overhead also includes costs associated with maintaining and repairing equipment, employee training, travel expenses, and team benefits. These costs are necessary for the business operation but do not contribute directly to a specific project鈥檚 profit. A proper understanding and efficient management of overhead costs are essential to maintaining business profitability and competitiveness.
What are Current Liabilities?
Current Liabilities are financial obligations or debts that a construction company has to settle within a short-term period, typically within a year. These usually include suppliers' payments for building materials, salaries and wages for construction workers, short-term loans for immediate project needs, interest payments on construction loans and taxes. These might also consist of project-related accrued expenses, or money that the company owes but has not been billed for yet, such as utilities. It's critical for businesses running construction projects to properly manage their Current Liabilities to ensure financial stability and the smooth completion of projects. The ability to meet these short-term financial obligations is a key indicator of the financial health of a construction company.
What is Single-Entry Accounting?
Single-Entry Accounting is a simple and basic form of accounting predominantly used by small businesses in construction and other sectors. Rather than double-entry bookkeeping, which records each transaction twice (as a debit and a credit), single-entry accounting records each transaction only once. It's essentially a record of cash sales and expenses, historically likened to a checkbook register. In the construction industry, this method might be used by small contractors or independent craftsmen who have relatively simple accounting. For instance, a freelance carpenter might use single-entry accounting to record cash received from clients and expenditures for supplies. However, it's crucial to note that while single-entry accounting may be simpler and less time-consuming, it does not provide as comprehensive a financial picture as double-entry accounting. It fails to track assets and liabilities and can make it challenging to produce financial statements. Therefore, it is most suitable for the smallest businesses within the construction industry.