Form 347 Instructions: How to Complete WH-347 Certified Payroll Without Errors

Construction payroll manager completing WH-347 certified payroll form for a federally funded public construction project.

Form 347 instructions are essential for every contractor working on federally funded construction projects. Winning public work depends on more than submitting the lowest qualified bid. It also requires having the systems and processes in place to meet every labor compliance requirement from the first week of the project through final payment. For many contractors, […]

Davis-Bacon Requirements: What Every Contractor Must Before Bidding

Construction project managers reviewing Davis-Bacon requirements and wage determinations before submitting a bid on a federally funded project

Davis-Bacon requirements should be one of the first things every contractor verifies before bidding on a federally funded construction project. Winning a federal project starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. It starts by understanding the labor standards, wage determinations, and payroll obligations that will directly affect your bid, your labor costs, and […]

Prevailing Wage Determination Time: What Employers Need to Know in 2026

Construction manager reviewing prevailing wage determination time and PERM timeline planning on laptop.

Understanding prevailing wage determination time is critical for employers navigating the PERM labor certification process in 2026. Current processing delays have reached significant levels, with the Department of Labor reporting an average of 503 days for analyst review and approximately 16.5 months overall for PERM processing. As a result, these extended timelines directly impact your […]

Contractor Payroll Basics: How to Meet Government Requirements with Confidence

Construction team reviewing contractor payroll compliance documents for government projects.

Contractor payroll compliance is one of the most important operational requirements for companies working on government-funded projects. Many contractors make a critical assumption about federal requirements. They believe regulations kick in at 100 employees, when compliance actually starts at just 50 employees with qualifying contracts. This misconception creates expensive blind spots. Contractor payroll services, federal […]

How Certified Payroll and Prevailing Wage Work Together and Why It Matters

Contractor reviewing certified payroll and prevailing wage documentation for a federal construction project.

Certified payroll and prevailing wage aren’t separate compliance requirements – they work as an interconnected system that protects your business from costly consequences. Contractors working on federally-funded construction projects exceeding $2,000 must submit certified payroll reporting to verify that workers receive prevailing wage rates. Failure to submit these weekly reports on schedule can result in […]

Certified Construction Payroll Made Simple: A Contractor’s Guide

Construction team reviewing certified construction payroll documents on a job site to ensure prevailing wage compliance.

Certified construction payroll is one of the most important compliance requirements contractors must manage on government-funded projects. Certified payroll reporting goes beyond simple paperwork. Federal law requires contractors to document their payroll on a weekly basis for all construction projects exceeding $2,000. The Davis-Bacon Act, established in 1931, created these requirements to protect workers’ wages […]

Avoiding Davis-Bacon Compliance Pitfalls: What Contractors Often Miss

Construction contractor reviewing Davis-Bacon compliance documents and certified payroll forms on a job site.

Davis-Bacon compliance failures are one of the fastest ways contractors lose money on public works projects. One small paperwork error can trigger thousands in back wages, with fines reaching six figures. Contractors face liquidated damages equal to underpaid wages, plus state penalties of $50 per day per worker. Incorrect wage rates create the most common […]

The Essential Guide to Prevailing Wage Certified Payroll

Contractor reviewing prevailing wage certified payroll documents and Davis-Bacon compliance reports on a federally funded construction project.

Your success on federally-funded construction projects depends on proper prevailing wage certified payroll reporting. These specialized weekly payroll reports must reach the U.S. Department of Labor on schedule, even when work stops temporarily. Miss the mark on these submissions, and you face contract funds being withheld and disqualification from future government projects. The Davis-Bacon and […]

Davis-Bacon Certified Payroll: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Contractors

Contractor reviewing Davis-Bacon certified payroll WH-347 form and prevailing wage requirements on a federal construction project.

Davis-Bacon certified payroll requirements apply to every federal government contract exceeding $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or works. For first-time contractors, these stringent reporting obligations often present unexpected challenges that can lead to significant penalties if not properly managed. Understanding certified payroll reporting is crucial when working on federally-funded projects. […]

What Is Certified Payroll? A Simple Explanation for Busy Contractors

Contractor reviewing certified payroll checklist and WH-347 form for a federal construction project.

What is certified payroll, and why does it matter for contractors working on government-funded construction projects? If your contract exceeds $2,000, the Department of Labor requires detailed weekly payroll reports. This isn’t optional paperwork; it’s a critical compliance requirement that protects your business from costly penalties and contract termination. Certified payroll means submitting weekly reports […]