Construction Cash Flow Template
Project-based cash flow template for contractors with milestone billing.
What's Included:
- Multi-project tracker with milestone billing schedules per job
- Retainage holdback calculations at configurable percentages
- Subcontractor and material cost timing with payment term offsets
- Cash gap analysis showing the lag between spending and billing
Available Formats:
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Construction businesses live and die by cash flow timing. You pay for labor and materials upfront, but client payments arrive weeks or months later based on milestone completion and retainage schedules. This template maps out that timing gap across multiple simultaneous projects so you can see exactly when cash is tight.
The biggest cash flow risk in construction is retainage—the 5-10% holdback that clients keep until project completion. This template tracks retainage separately from billed revenue, giving you a realistic picture of collectible cash. When you bid new jobs, use this template to check whether your current cash position can support the upfront costs before the first milestone payment arrives.
How to Use This Template
Add Active Projects
Enter each project with its total contract value, milestone dates, and retainage percentage. The template builds a billing schedule automatically.
Schedule Material and Subcontractor Costs
For each project, input expected material orders and subcontractor payments by week. Include payment terms so the template can offset cash outflows accurately.
Monitor the Cash Gap
Review the cash gap analysis to see how many weeks you are spending before receiving milestone payments. Use this to plan draws on your line of credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does retainage affect my construction cash flow?
Retainage typically holds back 5-10% of each progress payment until the project is complete and a punch list is resolved. This template calculates retainage automatically and shows the total held amount so you can plan around that unavailable cash.
Can I track multiple construction projects in one template?
Yes. The template includes a multi-project tracker where each project has its own row with milestone billing dates, costs, and retainage. The master cash flow view consolidates all projects into a single timeline.
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