AIA BILLING
What is AIA billing?
By DrawPrep editorial · Updated · 6 min read
AIA billing is progress billing on the AIA G702 Application for Payment and G703 Continuation Sheet, built from a schedule of values. Here is how the process works for subcontractors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- AIA billing means progress billing using AIA-format pay applications: a G702 summary and a G703 line-item continuation sheet.
- You bill a percentage of each schedule-of-values line every period instead of sending a single lump-sum invoice.
- Retainage, approved change orders and stored materials all flow through the forms.
- Your subcontract and GC instructions decide the exact forms, edition, due date and backup required.
What is AIA billing?
AIA billing is progress billing in the format developed by the American Institute of Architects. Instead of a single invoice, you submit a G702 Application and Certificate for Payment that summarizes the request, supported by a G703 Continuation Sheet listing every line of your schedule of values. Each period you report how much of each line is complete.
How does AIA progress billing work?
- Build the schedule of values. Break the contract sum into line items and get it approved. See what a schedule of values is.
- Report progress each period. For every line, enter work completed this period and any stored materials.
- Calculate totals. Work to date, percent complete, retainage, previous payments and the current payment due.
- Attach backup. Lien waivers, stored-material invoices, certified payroll or other items your GC requires.
- Submit and track review. The GC reviews, may return it for revision, and includes approved amounts in its own application to the owner.
Why do GCs require AIA billing?
It gives everyone the same view of progress against the whole contract. Owners, architects and lenders can verify that billed work matches site progress, that retainage is held correctly, and that nothing is billed twice. That consistency is why most commercial GCs write AIA-style billing into their subcontracts.
Which forms do subcontractors use?
Owner-facing billing uses G702 and G703. AIA also publishes subcontractor variations, G702S and G703S, coordinated with the A401 agreement. Many GCs instead provide their own template or require submission through a portal. Always follow your subcontract's billing exhibit. Official AIA documents are licensed through AIA Contract Documents.
What makes AIA billing hard?
- Carrying forward previous work correctly every month.
- Adding approved change orders without breaking totals.
- Keeping retainage, stored materials and previous payments consistent.
- Different deadlines, templates and attachments for every GC.
DrawPrep handles the carry-forward math, change orders and required-attachment checks so each period starts from the last accepted application. Compare plans on the pricing page.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is AIA billing?
- AIA billing is a progress billing method that uses the American Institute of Architects pay application format: a G702 Application and Certificate for Payment summarizing the request, supported by a G703 Continuation Sheet listing each schedule-of-values line.
- Do subcontractors use AIA billing?
- Many commercial GCs require AIA-style pay applications from subcontractors. Some use subcontractor variations (G702S/G703S), their own template or a portal, so confirm your subcontract.
- What is the difference between AIA billing and a regular invoice?
- A regular invoice requests a fixed amount for goods or services. AIA billing reports progress against the whole contract each period, including work to date, retainage, previous payments and balance to finish.
- Do I need to buy AIA forms?
- Official AIA documents are licensed by AIA Contract Documents. Many GCs accept G702/G703-style sheets; check what your project requires. DrawPrep generates G702/G703-style sheets, not official AIA documents.
Billing guides by trade
- Pay application software for mechanical and HVAC subcontractors
- Pay application software for plumbing subcontractors
- Pay application software for drywall and framing subcontractors