Payroll Without the Headaches, Compliance Without the Fear
Construction payroll isn't like retail payroll. Certified payroll, prevailing wage, union reporting, and workers comp audits require specialized knowledge. We handle it all—accurately and on time.
→ Best For
- Contractors working on prevailing wage or Davis-Bacon jobs
- Businesses tired of payroll errors and late filings
- Teams managing multi-state or union payroll
- Companies facing workers comp audits or classification issues
- Leaders who want payroll to be invisible (until tax season)
! Common Challenges
- Prevailing wage reporting requirements change constantly
- Certified payroll errors delay payment or trigger audits
- Workers comp premiums spike from misclassified labor
- Union reports require specific formats and strict deadlines
- Manual time tracking leads to payroll errors and disputes
Expected Outcomes
What you can measure after engagement
Certified payroll, union reports, and tax deposits—always filed correctly and on time.
Accurate time tracking, clear pay stubs, and audit-ready documentation.
Proper labor classification and clean audit records reduce your premiums over time.
How It Works
Discovery & Setup
Review current payroll setup, employee classifications, union agreements, and prevailing wage requirements. Configure system to match workflows and compliance needs.
Clear onboarding checklist, compliance requirements documented, system configured for your specific needs (1 week)
Time & Labor Integration
Connect time tracking system to capture job costing codes, prevailing wage flags, and union classifications. Set up mobile clock-in/out by job and crew.
Seamless time tracking system, employees trained on mobile app, automatic data flow to payroll (1-2 weeks)
First Payroll Run (Supervised)
Process first payroll with full supervision—review every step, verify classifications, confirm reporting formats. Client approves before distribution.
Complete walkthrough of process, review of all reports and checks, confidence in accuracy (1 pay period)
Ongoing Processing & Reporting
Process payroll every pay period, file certified payroll reports, handle union contributions, manage tax deposits. Generate weekly payroll summaries and annual compliance reports.
Reliable weekly updates, certified payroll filed on time, zero compliance issues, peace of mind (ongoing)
What You Get
Actionable artifacts you can use immediately
Typical Engagement
What's Included
- Bi-weekly or weekly payroll processing
- Direct deposit and paper checks
- Federal and state tax filings
- W-2s, 1099s, and year-end reporting
- Employee pay stubs and online portal
- Dedicated payroll specialist
- Unlimited payroll support
What's Not Included
- Certified payroll (add $8–$12/employee/month)
- Union reporting (add $8–$12/employee/month)
- Multi-state payroll (pricing varies by state)
- Historical payroll cleanup beyond current year
- Workers comp insurance (we can refer)
Running union payroll in-house was a nightmare—constant errors on certified payroll, late union reports, and a workers comp audit that revealed $40K in misclassified labor costs. We took over payroll processing, reclassified all employees properly, and set up automated certified payroll and union reporting. We also negotiated with their workers comp carrier to adjust rates based on corrected classifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if we have employees in multiple states?
We handle multi-state payroll, including state-specific tax filings, unemployment insurance, and local wage laws. Most contractors don't realize each state has different rules for overtime, meal breaks, and prevailing wage—we track all of it.
Do you handle workers comp audits?
Yes. We provide audit support, including payroll records, class code breakdowns, and subcontractor certificates. If your premiums are too high, we'll review your classifications and help you appeal.
What's included in certified payroll reporting?
We prepare and file all required certified payroll forms (WH-347, state equivalents), track prevailing wage rates by classification and county, and maintain fringe benefit records. We also handle corrections if a rate changes mid-project.
Can you integrate with our time tracking system?
Most likely. We integrate with popular construction time tracking systems (e.g., ExakTime, Busybusy, TSheets). If you don't have one, we can recommend and set up a simple mobile-friendly solution.
What happens if an employee disputes their paycheck?
We maintain detailed time records and pay calculations for every employee. If there's a dispute, we pull the records, walk through the math, and resolve it quickly. Most disputes come from unclear communication—we fix that with better pay stubs.
Do you handle employee onboarding and offboarding?
Yes. We manage new hire reporting, I-9 verification, direct deposit setup, and tax withholding forms. When someone leaves, we process final checks, handle PTO payouts, and generate termination paperwork.
Often Paired With
Bookkeeping & Accounting
Keep your books current while we handle payroll—complete financial package
QuickBooks Optimization
Set up job costing to track labor costs accurately by project
Custom Software & Integrations
Connect time tracking to payroll for seamless data flow