Trades
Construction payroll for general contractors
A crew can work on several jobs before the same payday. Tidwell helps general contractors turn approved field records into payroll that preserves the project, task and compensation behind each employee’s pay.
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General information, not legal advice.
Collect hours by day, job and assigned work
Agree on how foremen submit time and how the office resolves missing job references. Record effective dates for rate changes, approved allowances and any corrections. Keep private-job hours distinguishable from covered public work so one payroll run can support separate project reviews.
Review multiple rates before calculating overtime
California’s regular-rate guidance uses a weighted average when an employee works at multiple rates during a week. Compensation details matter, including qualifying bonuses. Have the responsible adviser establish the applicable pay rules and project classifications; the payroll handoff should retain the inputs used in the calculation.
Sources: DLSE FAQ - Overtime
Build the approval calendar around the payday
Weekly and biweekly payroll periods generally require payment within seven calendar days after the period ends under the DLSE guidance. Set an earlier internal approval deadline and a named person to resolve exceptions. Missing timecards do not remove the obligation to pay known wages on the established payday.
Sources: DLSE FAQ - Paydays
Keep the certified report connected to the pay run
For covered projects, retain the approved project instructions, worker details and actual pay records together. Certified reporting is a related service with its own review. Send corrections to both workflows so a revised paycheck and the project record can be reconciled.
Sources for crew pay and payroll timing
Construction records and covered-project help
Review your field-to-payroll process
Tell us which records need attention and who approves the next steps.
Payroll service starts at $125 a month. See pricing