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Construction glossary

What is Equity?

Equity in the construction industry refers to the financial investment made by the stakeholders in a construction project. It's essentially the difference between the overall project cost and the amount borrowed to finance it. The capital is often fund supplied by owners, investors, or shareholders. These entities get a return on their investment either through project profits, or an increase in the value of the project, thus, equity provides them with ownership rights. Interestingly, a high equity stake in projects usually indicates low leverage and low financial risk. The construction industry relies heavily on equity, particularly during large-scale projects as these require substantial financial backing. Consequently, a contractor with a higher level of equity is often regarded as more stable and trustworthy.

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Other construction terms

General Ledger (G/L)

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.

Time-and-Material billing

What is Time-and-Material Billing?

Time-and-material billing is a method used in the construction industry where a client is charged based on the actual cost of labor and materials for a project, along with an added markup for the contractor's profit. This approach promotes transparency as customers directly pay for the time spent on the project and materials used. The advantage of this method is the flexibility it provides - if a project scope is unclear or likely to change, it can be more efficient than a fixed-price model. However, it also contains a risk for the client, with a chance that costs could increase if the construction takes longer or requires more resources than estimated. It requires meticulous tracking of working hours, materials, and equipment used. The client also needs to keep an eye on the project to avoid unnecessary costs.

Progress Billing

What is Progress Billing?

Progress Billing is a method commonly used in the construction industry, where billing for a project is done at different stages as it progresses, rather than asking for full payment upfront or at the completion of the project. This type of billing is beneficial both for constructors and clients. For constructors, it helps maintain the cash flow required for the ongoing expense of materials and labor. For clients, it provides assurance that they are paying for the work only as it is being completed and allows them to budget effectively. Each invoice is usually based on the percentage of work completed, thus it is also known as percentage-of-completion billing method. Proper documentation, like progress reports or photos of the construction site, often accompany these invoices as a proof of progress.

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