Construction Cash Flow Template

Set up the Project Cash Flow sheet for each active job. Enter the contract value, the draw schedule (milestone or monthly), and the projected cost timing for materials, labor, and subs. The sheet will show you, week by week, when each project is cash-positive vs. cash-negative. This is where most contractors find surprises — a project that looks profitable on paper is often cash-negative for the first 60–90 days while material and sub costs run ahead of billings.

The numbers that matter most in construction cash flow are different from general business. Retainage outstanding tells you how much money is technically yours but not yet collectable — for contractors doing $5M+ in annual revenue, this figure often exceeds $300K and represents a meaningful liquidity risk if projects stall or owners dispute final payment. Accounts receivable aging beyond 60 days is another warning sign, since construction payment disputes and slow-paying owners are the most common cause of contractor insolvency even when backlog looks healthy. A proper cash flow template surfaces both of these in one place.