Active Construction Decision Support
Before You Make Your Next Construction Payment
A payment request tells you what the builder or contractor is asking to be paid. Before approval, connect that request to the agreement, documented progress, approved changes, current budget, and work that remains.
Direct Answer
Do not approve a construction payment you cannot connect to the project record.
Compare the request with the signed contract, payment schedule, schedule of values, documented progress, approved change orders, allowance activity, lender requirements, and remaining balance. If the information does not align, ask for clarification before deciding.
Seven-Point Review
What to review before approving a draw or payment
Agreement and milestone
Confirm the amount and timing match the contract, draw schedule, or other agreed payment process.
Work and materials
Identify the specific work, materials, deposits, stored items, or project phase included in the request.
Supporting documentation
Review invoices, schedule of values, progress reports, photos, delivery records, or lender documentation where applicable.
Approved changes
Compare billed changes with written approvals, agreed prices, markup, dates, and schedule effects.
Allowance activity
Track the original allowance, selected cost, approved overage or credit, amount billed, and remaining balance.
Retainage and conditions
Confirm any holdback, inspection, lender, release, closeout, or final-payment conditions in the agreement.
Remaining project budget
Look beyond the current request to approved changes, pending decisions, unresolved costs, and work still required.
Documentation
Ask for enough information to understand the request
The exact support depends on the contract, financing, project type, and stage. A useful record should allow the homeowner to trace each amount.
When a Request Is Unclear
Seven questions to put in writing
The purpose is not to delay or withhold a valid payment. It is to understand the request and follow the agreed approval process. Contract rights, payment duties, liens, and disputes require legal guidance from a qualified attorney.
RCC Payment Review
An independent, homeowner-centered review of the information behind the request
RCC helps organize the payment record, identify inconsistencies or unanswered questions, and prepare the homeowner for the next conversation or decision.
What RCC may review
- Payment request and draw schedule
- Contract and schedule of values
- Progress and material documentation
- Approved change orders
- Allowance activity and remaining balances
- Open project questions affecting the request
What you receive
- Organized payment-review summary
- Questions tied to specific documents or amounts
- Identified information gaps or inconsistencies
- Updated list of open financial decisions
- Recommended documentation follow-up
- Recognition when another professional is required
Important Boundaries
A review supports the homeowner without replacing required professionals
RCC
Organizes submitted information, compares the request with project documents, and helps prepare homeowner questions.
Builder or Contractor
Explains the work, material, milestone, and contractual basis for the amount requested.
Lender or Inspector
Performs lender-required draw processes or inspections within that party's authority and scope.
Attorney
Interprets payment obligations, disputes, liens, notices, withholding rights, and other legal issues.
RCC does not certify percentage complete, workmanship, code compliance, payment entitlement, lien status, cost accuracy, or project completion; perform a lender inspection; or provide legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction payment questions homeowners ask
Should I approve a draw based only on percentage complete?
The appropriate basis depends on the agreement and financing process. Ask how the percentage was calculated, what work or materials it includes, and what documentation supports it.
What if the request includes work that is not installed?
Ask what the charge represents. It may involve a deposit, fabrication, stored materials, delivery, or a defined contract milestone. The reason and supporting documentation should be clear.
Can change orders appear in a payment request?
Yes, when handled according to the agreement. Compare each charge with the written approval, price, date, markup, and effect on the remaining balance.
Can RCC inspect the work and certify the draw?
No. RCC can organize the information and identify questions. Required certification or inspection must come from the professional or party authorized to perform it.
When is a payment review most useful?
Before approving a request that is unclear, unusually large, inconsistent with the project record, affected by changes, or difficult to connect to documented progress and the remaining budget.
Before the Next Approval
Understand what you are paying for—and what remains.
RCC helps homeowners connect the request to the project record before the next major financial decision.
Request a Payment Review