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Overbilling (or billing in excess of costs) occurs when you’ve invoiced your client for more work than you’ve actually completed or incurred costs for. In other words, it represents getting paid ahead of your work schedule.

Here’s how it works: If you’re a concrete subcontractor on a $100,000 job and you bill 50% upfront ($50,000) but have only completed $30,000 worth of work, that $20,000 difference is your billings in excess of costs. You owe your client that work, and until you complete it, that $20,000 remains as a liability on your balance sheet.

For subcontractors, understanding billing in excess of costs is essential because it can be a strategic cash flow tool when used carefully. For example, when bidding on a job, you can be smart about how you structure your schedule of values (SOV)—breaking work down into more detailed line items that allow earlier billing. However, this strategy requires regular monitoring to ensure:

• Your billing somewhat aligns with your actual percentage complete, and 
• The remaining contract value will still cover your remaining costs.

The biggest risk of overbilling is thinking your margins look better than they are, simply because you’re collecting cash faster. Surety companies and lenders also scrutinize overbillings closely, as excessive amounts can signal poor project management or potential cash flow problems down the road.

With Siteline, you can easily track whether you’re billing in excess of your costs by pulling your month-to-month incurred costs and comparing them against your billing progress. This real-time visibility helps ensure you’re billing appropriately while maintaining realistic profitability expectations. If you’re interested in seeing for yourself, schedule a personalized demo of Siteline here.

WH-347 is a form utilized in the construction industry by contractors and subcontractors engaged in federal or federally-assisted construction contracts. This certified payroll form, issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, requires contractors to report detailed wage information for employees including hours worked, job classification, rates of pay, and deductions. The purpose of the WH-347 form is to ensure contractors are compliant with the Fair Labor Standards Act regulations. Witnessed and attested to by an assigned company official, this form plays a crucial role in the transparent and fair operation of the construction industry, ensuring that workers are compensated according to stipulated guidelines and in line with labor law regulations.

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.