Master Certified Payroll Compliance
Expert guides on Davis-Bacon, WH-347 forms, prevailing wages, and construction payroll — written for contractors, by compliance pros.
47 articles
Certified Payroll with QuickBooks: WH-347 Guide
QuickBooks Desktop and Online Payroll both produce a certified payroll report. Here is what they cover, where they stop, and how to finish your WH-347.
Bid Advertisement Date: Which Prevailing Wage Determination Applies?
In California, the bid advertisement date decides which DIR wage determination governs your project for its entire life. One day can change the rate. Here is how the rule works.
Single vs Double Asterisk on California Wage Determinations
That little mark after the expiration date on a DIR wage determination decides whether your rate is locked for the life of the project or steps up mid-job. Here is how to read it.
Certified Payroll with Gusto: WH-347 Guide (2026)
Gusto handles your payroll runs, but Davis-Bacon certified payroll is a separate weekly report. Here is how to generate WH-347 forms from your Gusto data.
Certified Payroll with ADP Run & Workforce Now (2026)
ADP runs your payroll, but Davis-Bacon certified payroll is a separate report. Here is the exact workflow to generate WH-347 forms from your ADP data.
LCPtracker Pricing: What It Actually Costs in 2026
LCPtracker doesn't publish pricing on their website. Here's what contractors have reported, what factors affect cost, and how the model compares to alternatives.
5 Best LCPtracker Alternatives for Contractors in 2026
Looking for an alternative to LCPtracker? Here are the top 5 certified payroll and labor compliance tools for contractors in 2026, with pricing, features, and use cases.
eBacon Reviews and Pricing: Honest 2026 Breakdown
What is eBacon, who is it for, what does it cost, and how does it compare to alternatives? An honest 2026 review for contractors evaluating certified payroll software.
WH-347 Column 4: Hours Worked Each Day, Explained
Column 4 on the January 2025 WH-347 is Hours Worked Each Day, not withholding exemptions. How to split straight time and overtime, which hours belong on the payroll, and the mistakes that trigger findings.
WH-347 Column 6B: Total Fringe Benefit Credit, Explained
Column 6B on the January 2025 WH-347 is the hourly fringe benefit credit for bona fide plan contributions, not gross wages. How to compute the credit, how it differs from Column 6C, and the page 2 table it triggers.
WH-347 Columns 7A and 7B: Gross Amount Earned, Explained
The January 2025 WH-347 splits gross earned into Column 7A (this project) and 7B (all work). What belongs in each, which fringe dollars count as wages, and how 7B ties to Columns 8 and 9.
WH-347 Column 8: Deductions, Explained Field by Field
How to fill out Column 8 (Deductions) on the WH-347. FICA, federal tax, state tax, other deductions, and common mistakes that trigger DOL audits.
California Prevailing Wage Rates in 2026: What Contractors Need to Know
Current California DIR prevailing wage rates for 2026, how to look them up, key changes from 2025, and common compliance pitfalls for CA contractors.
How to Calculate Fringe Benefits on Prevailing Wage Projects
Step-by-step guide to calculating fringe benefits for Davis-Bacon and state prevailing wage projects. Cash vs. bona fide plans, overtime fringe rules, and common errors.
Prevailing Wage Laws by State: 2026 Interactive Map and Guide
Which states have their own prevailing wage laws? Interactive map showing all 50 states, thresholds, recent changes (Michigan reinstatement, Colorado reestablishment), and what contractors need to know.
Top 7 OSHA Safety Requirements for Davis-Bacon Contractors
OSHA compliance on federal construction projects. The 7 most-cited violations, written safety programs, toolbox talks, and recordkeeping.
Union Payroll vs Prevailing Wage Payroll: Complete Comparison
Understand the differences between union payroll and prevailing wage payroll mechanics, fringe benefits, CBAs, and compliance complications.
Multi-State Prevailing Wage Compliance for Traveling Contractors
Contractors working across state lines face complex compliance. Understand project location wage rules, state-specific forms, and worker hour tracking.
How to Use SAM.gov to Find Prevailing Wage Determinations
Step-by-step guide to searching SAM.gov for Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Find accurate prevailing wage rates for your construction project.
Certified Payroll for Small Contractors: How to Compete on Government Projects Without Breaking the Bank
Small contractors can win and manage government projects without enterprise software. Here's how to handle certified payroll affordably and correctly.
10 Common WH-347 Mistakes That Lead to Fines (And How to Avoid Them)
The most frequent certified payroll errors that trigger DOL investigations. Learn what auditors look for and how to protect your company.
The Small Contractor's Guide to Winning Government Construction Bids
Step-by-step guide for small construction companies looking to break into federal and state government contract work.
Fringe Benefits on Prevailing Wage Projects: What Contractors Need to Know
Complete guide to fringe benefits under Davis-Bacon. Learn what qualifies, how to calculate, cash in lieu options, and common mistakes that lead to violations.
WH-347 Column 6A: The Complete Hourly Wage Rate Guide
A deep dive on Column 6A of the WH-347 form covering base rates, fringe rates, straight time vs overtime, multiple classifications, and compliance risks to avoid.
California DIR Certified Payroll: eCPR Rules and Penalties
Who must file eCPR, how the XML upload works, and what late reports cost: $100 per worker per calendar day after a 10-day notice, under Labor Code 1776(h). Statute cited throughout.
Prevailing Wage vs Union Wage: What's the Difference?
A clear explanation of how prevailing wages and union wages are set, when they match, when they differ, and what it means for union and non-union contractors on federal projects.
What Triggers a Davis-Bacon Investigation? (And How to Be Ready)
Understanding DOL enforcement triggers and how to maintain investigation-ready records.
Certified Payroll Software Comparison: eBacon vs LCPtracker vs CertifiedPayrollPro (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of the top certified payroll software solutions. Compare pricing, features, ease of use, and integration options.
Certified Payroll Software vs. Excel: The True Cost Comparison
Breaking down the hidden costs of managing certified payroll in spreadsheets vs. dedicated software.
How to Do Certified Payroll: A Step-by-Step Guide for Contractors (2026)
Complete guide to certified payroll for construction contractors. Learn how to fill out the WH-347, calculate prevailing wages, handle fringe benefits, and submit on time.
The Best and Worst Practices in Certified Payroll Reporting
A practical guide to the habits that keep contractors compliant and the mistakes that lead to DOL investigations, back wages, and debarment.
We Just Launched CertifiedPayrollPro — Here's Why We Built It
After years of watching contractors struggle with certified payroll, we built a modern solution. $0 setup, $49/mo, AI compliance assistant included. Here's our story.
5 Common WH-347 Mistakes That Lead to Davis-Bacon Violations
Learn the top 5 certified payroll mistakes that trigger DOL investigations and how to avoid them.
Understanding Fringe Benefits Under Davis-Bacon: Cash vs. Bona Fide Plans
A clear explanation of how fringe benefits work under prevailing wage requirements, including the difference between cash payments and bona fide plan contributions, annualization, and common pitfalls.
What's New in CertifiedPayrollPro: March 2026 Updates
Announcing CertifiedPayrollPro's launch features: Lydia compliance assistant, SAM.gov integration, multi-state support, Spanish language support, and payroll integrations.
Top 10 Certified Payroll Mistakes That Lead to DOL Violations
Avoid the most common certified payroll errors that trigger Department of Labor investigations and penalties. Learn what enforcement data reveals about contractor mistakes.
The True Cost of Certified Payroll Mistakes: Why Cheap Software Costs More
An analysis of the real financial risks of certified payroll errors, including DOL penalties, debarment, and back-wage liability, and why investing in proper tools pays for itself.
CertifiedPayrollPro vs Points North: Certified Payroll Software Compared
A factual, side-by-side comparison of CertifiedPayrollPro and Points North for certified payroll reporting. See how pricing, features, and service models stack up.
CertifiedPayrollPro vs eBacon: Which Certified Payroll Solution Is Right for You?
A fair comparison of CertifiedPayrollPro and eBacon for certified payroll and prevailing wage compliance. Learn how these two platforms differ in pricing, features, and approach.
CertifiedPayrollPro vs LCPtracker: Certified Payroll Reporting Comparison
A factual comparison of CertifiedPayrollPro and LCPtracker for certified payroll and labor compliance. Understand the differences in focus, pricing, and features.
Free Job Costing for Construction: Why We Don't Charge for It
Learn why CertifiedPayrollPro offers free job costing tools for construction contractors, including CSI MasterFormat integration and budget tracking.
Prevailing Wage Determinations: How to Find and Apply Them
Learn how to look up prevailing wage determinations on SAM.gov, read and interpret wage schedules, and correctly apply them to your certified payroll.
Meet Lydia: Your Built-in Compliance Assistant for Certified Payroll
An in-depth look at how Lydia, the compliance assistant built into CertifiedPayrollPro, helps contractors navigate Davis-Bacon compliance questions in real time.
How to Fill Out the WH-347 Form: Step-by-Step Guide
A detailed, field-by-field walkthrough of the WH-347 certified payroll form, including the Statement of Compliance, so you can submit accurate reports and avoid costly errors.
5 CertifiedPayrollPro Features That Save Hours on Certified Payroll
Discover the five specific features that CertifiedPayrollPro users say save them the most time each week on certified payroll tasks.
Understanding Davis-Bacon Act: A Complete Guide for Contractors
A comprehensive overview of the Davis-Bacon Act covering who it applies to, federal contract thresholds, covered project types, and what contractors need to know to stay compliant.
Top 10 Certified Payroll Software Solutions in 2026: An Honest Comparison
An honest look at the different approaches to certified payroll reporting in 2026, from manual methods to modern platforms, and what features actually matter.
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