We only do one or two public jobs a year. Is this worth it?
That is exactly when mistakes happen. Occasional prevailing wage work means the rules are never fresh. We offer project-based pricing for intermittent work, so you pay only when you have a covered project.
Our bookkeeper handles payroll. Why do we need you?
Most bookkeepers run payroll correctly and still get certified payroll wrong, because certified payroll is not a bookkeeping task. It requires reading wage determinations, matching classifications, applying fringe and overtime rules that differ from normal payroll, and formatting to WH-347 standards. Many bookkeepers refuse this work outright. We work alongside your bookkeeper, not instead of them.
What is the difference between federal and Virginia requirements?
Federal Davis-Bacon applies to federal and federally assisted construction contracts over $2,000 and requires weekly WH-347 submission. Virginia's prevailing wage law applies to state public works contracts over $250,000, uses Virginia DOLI wage determinations, and requires six-year record retention with production within 10 days of a request. Some localities, including Arlington and Fairfax County, have their own ordinances. Many projects involve more than one layer. We sort out which rules apply to each of your projects.
What happens during your free review?
You send one certified payroll you have already submitted, along with the project wage determination if you have it. We review classifications, rates, fringe treatment, overtime, deductions, and formatting, and send you a short written summary of anything an auditor would flag. It typically takes two to three business days.
Who is responsible for the reports you prepare?
You are, and that is by design. You supply the data, review every report, and sign the certification. Our role is preparation, verification, and education. This is the same structure used by payroll services and tax preparers nationwide.
What does it cost?
Most small subcontractors run $350 to $600 per month for weekly service, based on crew size and volume. Project-based flat fees are available for occasional work. You get an exact quote after the free review, before any commitment.
Which projects do you work on: federal, Virginia, DC, or Maryland?
All of them. Most of our clients are based in Northern Virginia, and we follow them onto projects in Washington DC and Maryland. Federal and federally assisted projects run on Davis-Bacon rules and SAM.gov wage determinations. Virginia state and local projects generally use project-specific determinations issued by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and attached to your bid documents. Sorting out which set applies to a given project is the first thing we do.
Do you submit the reports on my behalf?
It depends on the project. For email or PDF submissions, we prepare the report, send it to you for signature, and submit it once you have signed. For general contractor portals such as LCPtracker, eMars, Elation, and Prism, we prepare and enter the data, then you log in with your own credentials and click certify. The certification click is your signature, so it has to be you.
Who signs the Statement of Compliance?
You do, always. The Statement of Compliance is a sworn statement by the contractor. We never sign it and never certify on your behalf. We recommend authorizing two people at your company to sign, so a vacation or a sick day does not stall a weekly filing.
What do you need from me each week?
Timesheets showing hours by project, by day, and by the work each person actually performed, plus the paid-wage data from your payroll run. We set a fixed weekly rhythm at onboarding: timesheets to us early in the week, draft report back to you, signature mid-week, submitted on time. Most clients spend a few minutes a week on it once the routine is set.
What happens if you find an error?
We tell you in writing, explain what caused it, and lay out the options for correcting it going forward. We prepare accurate reports, and we do not paper over past problems. If a correction involves back wages or a decision with legal consequences, we say so plainly and recommend you talk to your attorney.
What about weeks with no work on the project?
Covered projects generally still require a report for those weeks, showing no work performed. Missing them is one of the most common reasons a general contractor holds up a pay application. We track your active projects and file for the no-work weeks too.
How fast is turnaround?
Weekly reports go back to you within one business day of receiving complete timesheets, so you have time to review and sign before the deadline. Free reviews take two to three business days.
Do you replace my CPA or payroll company?
No. Your payroll company keeps cutting the checks and your CPA keeps doing your books and taxes. We handle the government-facing reporting layer that sits on top of them. We are used to working alongside both, and we do not need to touch your bank accounts to do it.
Do you work with general contractors?
Yes. GCs who collect and review subcontractor certified payroll use us as an outsourced check, and several refer subcontractors who need help getting their reporting clean.