UpScale.buildProgress Claims
A progress claim is a contractor's formal request for payment for work completed during a specific period on a construction project.
Progress claims are the financial heartbeat of any construction project. Every month (or whatever period the contract specifies), the contractor submits a claim for work they've completed. The superintendent or project manager reviews it, certifies an amount, and the developer pays. This cycle repeats from first shovel to practical completion.
The claim typically breaks down the contract into line items — foundations, framing, roofing, fit-out — and shows what percentage of each item has been completed. It's not just "we did some work, pay us." It's a detailed account that should reconcile with the original contract sum and any approved variations.
Where progress claims get messy is in the gap between "claimed" and "certified." A contractor might claim $200,000 of work, but the superintendent only certifies $170,000 because some work isn't to standard, or the percentage complete is overstated. This gap creates tension, and if it's not managed properly, it leads to disputes, cash flow problems, and project delays.
Under security of payment legislation in Australia, there are strict timeframes for responding to progress claims. Miss a deadline and you could end up owing the full claimed amount by default — even if the work wasn't done properly. Knowing your obligations and tracking every claim is non-negotiable.
How UpScale Handles This
UpScale tracks every progress claim from submission through certification to payment. You can see the full history of each claim, compare claimed versus certified amounts, and track cumulative progress against the contract sum. No more chasing spreadsheets or digging through emails to find last month's claim.
The platform also tracks retention amounts automatically, so you always know exactly how much is being held and when it's due for release.
Related Terms
Variations (Construction)
A variation is a change to the original scope, cost, or timeline of a construction contract, formally documented and requiring approval before work proceeds.
Retention (Construction)
Retention is a percentage of each progress payment withheld by the principal as security against defective work, typically released in two stages — at practical completion and at the end of the defects liability period.
Practical Completion
Practical completion is the contractual milestone when a building is sufficiently complete for its intended purpose, triggering key obligations like defects liability and final payment.