Taplin Systems

Field tools / contractor calculators

Project cash flow calculator

Compare expected receipts and costs by period to see closing balances and potential funding gaps.

01 / Inputs

Use your project numbers

Enter expected receipts and costs for each period. Negative starting cash is allowed. Use shorter periods to capture gaps when bills are due before payments arrive.

Period 1
Period 2
Period 3

02 / Estimate

Your working numbers

Ready when you are.

Review the example inputs, then calculate to see the quantities and cost breakdown.

How the math works

For each period: net cash = receipts − costs; closing cash = prior balance + net cash. The largest period-end funding gap is the amount below $0 at the lowest closing balance or starting balance. Transactions within a period are netted, not ordered.

Use weekly or shorter periods where payment timing matters. Check actual draw dates, payroll, supplier terms, retainage, and taxes.

Planning estimate only. Verify site measurements, material specifications, supplier pricing, labor rates, taxes, codes, and project conditions before bidding or building.

Contractor field notes

Track construction project cash balances across payment periods

Enter starting cash and the receipts and costs for each period to see ending balances and the largest period-end shortfall. This reveals whether planned customer receipts keep up with project spending at the selected reporting intervals.

Running project cash-balance formula

Period net cash = receipts − costs. Ending balance = previous balance + period net cash. Peak funding need = max(0, −lowest ending balance including starting cash).

Worked example

Start with $5,000 cash. Period one receives $10,000 and spends $18,000, ending at −$3,000. Period two receives $15,000 and spends $10,000, ending at $2,000. Period three receives $20,000 and spends $12,000, ending at $10,000. The lowest balance is −$3,000, so the period-end funding need is $3,000.

Common estimating pitfalls

  • Period-end balances can miss larger shortfalls within a period.
  • Cash receipts and payments are not the same as accounting revenue and profit.

Frequently asked questions

Does a positive ending balance mean the job is profitable?

No. Cash timing depends on deposits and when costs are paid. Review job profitability separately using revenue and complete costs.

How can I check intramonth funding gaps?

Use shorter periods or a dated transaction forecast. This calculator only evaluates balances at the ends of the entered periods.

What does peak funding need represent?

It is the additional cash needed to keep the modeled starting and period-end balances from going below zero, based on the receipts and costs entered.