Construction Cash Flow Forecast Template
Forecast the next 4 weeks before a cash squeeze hits.
Use this construction cash flow forecast template to map incoming cash, outgoing cash, retainage, aging receivables, and low-cash risk so small business owners in construction can spot trouble before payroll, vendors, or equipment payments get tight.
Originating module: Construction Cash Flow Guide.
Why this matters
Construction cash often gets trapped in retainage, unfinished billing, slow-pay customers, and approved work not yet collected. Revenue can look strong on paper while your bank balance is squeezed by payroll, materials, rentals, taxes, insurance, and debt service. This tool helps you see the next 4 weeks before a crunch forces reactive decisions.
Plan vs. record
This tool helps you plan the next 4 weeks using construction-specific retainage and aging receivables. If you want to record and monitor ongoing actuals, use the Cash Flow Tracker instead.
1. Opening cash & low-cash threshold
Cash on hand at the start of Week 1.
We'll warn you if any week's ending cash drops below this.
2. 4-week forecast — expected cash in & cash out
| Week | Expected cash in | Expected cash out | Net change | Ending cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | $ | $ | $0 | $0 |
| Week 2 | $ | $ | $0 | $0 |
| Week 3 | $ | $ | $0 | $0 |
| Week 4 | $ | $ | $0 | $0 |
Empty values count as $0. Ending cash carries from week to week starting from your opening balance.
3. Retainage & approved-but-not-billed work
These dollars aren't in your bank yet. They explain why a "profitable" job can still leave the next 4 weeks tight.
4. Accounts receivable aging
Older receivables get harder to collect. We sort your collections-priority view oldest-first below.
5. Major planned outflows (context)
These flow into the weekly cash-out column above as you plan. Capture them here so they appear in your printed worksheet.
6. Your 4-week forecast
Week 1 ending cash
$0
Week 2 ending cash
$0
Week 3 ending cash
$0
Week 4 ending cash
$0
Lowest projected cash week
Week 1 · $0
Retainage outstanding
$0
AR aging total
$0
Set a low-cash threshold in step 1 to turn on the cash-crunch warning.
Reminder: revenue on paper isn't collected cash. Retainage held, unbilled work, and aging AR all delay when the bank balance actually moves.
Export & save
Three options — pick what fits how you want to keep this forecast.
What owners miss
- Retainage can make a profitable job feel cash-poor for weeks or months.
- Approved work doesn't help payroll until it's billed and collected.
- Old receivables are often a bigger near-term cash risk than slow sales.
Quick self-check
- Do you know which of the next 4 weeks looks tightest for cash?
- How much money is tied up in retainage or approved work that hasn't been billed yet?
- Are aging receivables starting to matter more than new jobs coming in?
Next steps
Practical educational use only, not accounting, tax, or legal advice.
Generated 6/26/2026 · bizhealth.ai/biztools/toolbox/construction-contractors/cash-flow-forecast