What is GCPay?
GCPay is a cloud-based payment application software that simplifies construction billing. General contractors use it to manage subcontractor payments, eliminating spreadsheets and paper forms. It's essentially a digital payment hub for construction projects.
The platform automates everything from pay applications to lien waiver collection. When subs submit payment requests, GCPay validates the math and checks compliance automatically. It integrates seamlessly with construction ERPs like Sage, Viewpoint, and CMiC.
Construction teams use GCPay for speeding up payment cycles. Subs get free access to submit their applications online. The software handles ACH payments, digital notarization through Notarize, and works alongside Procore for companies using both platforms.
How does GCPay Work in Construction?
GCPay connects to your construction ERP and creates a portal where subs submit payment applications digitally. It validates everything automatically, routes approvals to the right people, then handles payments and lien waivers electronically.
Here's how GCPay's payment workflow operates step-by-step:
- ERP Integration Setup: The general contractor connects GCPay to their existing ERP system (Sage, Viewpoint, or CMiC), syncing all project data, contracts, and schedules of values automatically.
- Subcontractor Registration: Subs receive email invitations to join GCPay free, where they create their schedule of values that must match their contract amount exactly.
- Monthly Payment Submission: Subcontractors log in to submit payment applications against their approved SOV, with GCPay automatically checking calculations and preventing overbilling.
- Compliance Verification: The system blocks submission until all required documents are attached, including lien waivers, insurance certificates, and any project-specific compliance items.
- Approval Routing: Payment applications route through customized approval workflows, moving from project managers to accounting based on preset rules and thresholds.
- Electronic Payment Release: Once approved, GCPay processes ACH payments directly to subcontractor bank accounts while holding lien waivers in escrow until funds clear.
The entire cycle typically completes in days instead of weeks. GCPay reduces payment processing time by 70% for most contractors. All transaction data syncs back to the ERP automatically, eliminating double entry and maintaining accurate financial records across systems.
What are the Key Features of GCPay?
GCPay's main features are payment application processing, lien waiver management, and ERP integration. The platform offers eight core features for construction payment automation.
- Payment Application Processing: Digital submission and approval of subcontractor pay applications with automatic math validation and SOV tracking.
- Lien Waiver Management: Automated generation, collection, and exchange of conditional and unconditional lien waivers with state-specific templates.
- Compliance Document Collection: Centralized storage and tracking of insurance certificates, W-9s, and other required compliance documents with expiration alerts.
- ERP System Integration: Two-way data sync with Sage 300 CRE, Viewpoint Vista, CMiC, Acumatica, and QuickBooks for seamless financial data flow.
- ACH Electronic Payments: Direct bank transfers to subcontractors through integrated payment processing, eliminating paper checks completely.
- Owner Billing Functionality: Creation of AIA G702 / G703 forms and owner payment applications that automatically roll up subcontractor billings.
- Remote Online Notarization: Digital notary services through Notarize integration for lien waivers requiring legal authentication.
- Custom Approval Workflows: Configurable routing rules based on payment amounts, project types, and specific approver hierarchies.
GCPay excels at payment automation but lacks broader features. The platform doesn't include project scheduling, budget forecasting, or risk management tools. Companies needing comprehensive project management require additional software beyond GCPay's payment-focused capabilities.
GCPay Benefits vs Limitations
GCPay transforms payment processing but remains limited in scope. Users report massive time savings and efficiency gains for payment workflows specifically. However, the platform lacks the comprehensive features needed for complete project management.
| Feature |
Benefits |
Limitations |
| Time Efficiency |
70% Time Reduction - Payment processing drops from weeks to days, saving 20-25 hours weekly |
Performance Issues - System slowdowns during peak billing periods |
| Payment Processing |
Error Elimination - Automatic calculation validation prevents billing mistakes and SOV mismatches |
Single-Purpose Tool - Only handles GC-to-sub payments, not complex structures |
| Payment Cycles |
Faster Payment Cycles - Compress timelines from 60-90 days to under 30 days |
No Cost Forecasting - Processes current payments only, no budget variance tracking or predictions |
| Compliance |
Automated Compliance - Documents collect automatically, preventing delays from missing waivers |
No Risk Management - Lacks risk registers, matrices, or assessment tools |
| Relationships |
Better Subcontractor Relations - Faster payments lead to better pricing and partnerships |
No Project Management - Doesn't track timelines, milestones, or deliverables beyond payments |
| Cost |
Free for Subcontractors - Zero cost removes adoption barriers |
Limited Reporting - Can't create custom reports or get portfolio-level views across projects |
| Integration |
Seamless ERP Integration - Two-way sync eliminates double entry |
No Schedule Management - Missing Gantt charts, critical path tracking, scheduling functions |
| Administration |
Reduced Admin Burden - Accountants process hundreds of payments without paperwork |
No AI Capabilities - Lacks intelligent insights, document review, or predictive features |
GCPay excels within its narrow focus on payment automation. While GCPay solves payment processing pain points effectively, growing companies often need comprehensive construction management platforms for complete project oversight.
How does GCPay Compare to Other Payment Software?
GCPay competes directly with Oracle Textura, Procore Pay, and emerging platforms like Siteline. Each solution targets the same pain point (construction payment automation) but with different approaches and pricing models. The choice often depends on existing tech stack and company size.
| Software |
Focus |
Best For |
| GCPay |
Payment applications, lien waiver exchange, ERP integration |
Mid-market GCs using Sage, Viewpoint, or CMiC who want standalone payment automation |
| Oracle Textura |
Enterprise payment management, complex multi-tier structures |
Large contractors (ENR Top 100) needing sophisticated payment hierarchies |
| Procore Pay |
Integrated payments within Procore ecosystem |
Companies already using Procore for project management wanting unified platform |
| Levelset |
Lien rights management, preliminary notices, mechanics liens |
Subcontractors protecting payment rights and managing lien compliance across projects |
Modern construction companies seek platforms combining payments with project management, AI-powered insights, and predictive analytics. While GCPay leads in payment automation, comprehensive platforms like Mastt offer integrated cost management, risk tracking, and AI contract review alongside payment features.
Beyond Payment Processing: Complete Project Management
Payment processing is just one piece of the construction puzzle. Today's projects demand integrated platforms that connect payments with budgets, schedules, and risks. Payment-only tools leave teams juggling multiple systems and missing critical insights.
What complete project management actually includes:
- AI-Powered Contract Analysis: Instant review of contracts and pay applications, catching compliance issues and missing clauses automatically.
- Cost Forecasting: Real-time budget tracking with variance analysis and predictive insights on project finals.
- Risk Management: Risk registers and matrices that link directly to cost and schedule impacts.
- Schedule Integration: Milestone tracking and Gantt charts connected to payment events and project deliverables.
- Portfolio Visibility: Dashboard views across all projects, not just individual payment status reports.
- Predictive Analytics: AI that spots patterns and warns about potential overruns before they happen.
- Document Intelligence: Automated extraction of key terms from contracts, change orders, and project documents.
- Custom Reporting: Flexible reports combining payment data with project metrics for any stakeholder need.
Smart contractors are moving beyond payment automation to intelligent project platforms. Solutions like Mastt combine AI-powered contract review with complete project controls - payments, costs, risks, and schedules in one system. When your software predicts problems instead of just processing transactions, you're truly in control of project success.
