---
title: "Managing the Contract Tab in Ontraccr (Schedule of Values, Billing, Holdbacks, and More)"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/managing-the-contract-tab-in-ontraccr-schedule-of-values-billing-holdbacks-and-more"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-06-06T23:34:08.169Z"
---

# Managing the Contract Tab in Ontraccr (Schedule of Values, Billing, Holdbacks, and More)

## 📜 **Managing the Contract Tab in Ontraccr (Schedule of Values, Billing, Holdbacks, and More) Overview**  
 

The **Contract tab** in Ontraccr lets you break down your project’s contract into a detailed **Schedule of Values (SOV)**.

From here, you can **bill progressively**, **track changes**, **manage holdbacks**, and **generate client-ready PDFs** — all without touching your internal budget tracking.

* * *

## 🎯 **Why Use the Contract Tab?**

-   **Break down lump sum contracts** into detailed billing line items.
-   **Track holdback/retainage** amounts.
-   **Lock SOVs** once finalized to avoid accidental changes.
-   **Export professional billing PDFs** to clients.
-   **Import standard templates** for faster setup.
-   **Manage subcontracts, changes, and special billing items**.

* * *

## 🛠️ **Core Actions on the Contract Tab**

* * *

### 📄 **Set Up the Schedule of Values (SOV)**

You can either:

**Import a Template** (if available)

➡️ Good for repeatable project types.

**Create Manually**:

-   Enter your **Base Contract Value** (total $ amount).
-   Click **Add Row** to add individual line items.
-   Enter:
    -   **Description** (e.g., "Foundation Work")
    -   **Contract Amount** for that item.
-   Repeat until your full base contract is allocated.

✅ You must allocate 100% of the contract value across line items for clean billing.

* * *

### 🔒 **Locking and Unlocking the Schedule of Values**

-   After you finalize your SOV with the client, click **Lock**.
-   This **freezes the SOV** — no further edits allowed unless manually unlocked.
-   Unlocking triggers a **warning** about possible downstream calculation issues.

🧠 **Tip**: Only lock after the client fully approves the breakdown.

* * *

### 🛡️ **Setting Up Holdback (Retainage)**

-   Click the **Toggle Holdback** switch.
-   Enter a **Holdback Percentage** (e.g., 10%).
-   This adjusts how much of each invoice is **withheld** until project completion.

✅ Great for industries where retainage is standard.

* * *

### 📤 **Exporting Contracts**

-   Click **Export** to generate a **PDF** of the current SOV.
-   Customize:
    -   Show/hide your **logo**.
    -   Add custom **header fields** (e.g., Project ID, PO Number).
-   Download or print the generated PDF.

✅ You control what sections appear in the export!

* * *

### 📥 **Importing Contract Templates**

-   If no SOV exists yet, the **Import** button will be available.
-   Pull from **Settings → Customization → Project Contract Templates**.
-   Apply a saved template instantly to avoid building from scratch.

✅ **Importing is only available before** you manually create line items.

* * *

## 🧩 **Managing Additional Sections**

The Contract Tab includes:

| Section | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| **Base Contract** | Original signed contract breakdown |
| **Subcontracts** | Track work subbed to external vendors |
| **Changes** | Track approved change orders |
| **Non-Holdback Items** | Items billed fully without retainage (e.g., materials like lumber) |
| **Custom Sections** | Create custom areas like "Pending Changes" for tracking unofficial items |

* * *

### ➕ **How to Add a Custom Section**

-   Click **Add Section** (red button at bottom).
-   Name your section (e.g., "Change Requests").
-   Choose whether to **include/exclude** it from billing calculations.

🧠 **Tip**: Exclude sections from calculations if they are for **internal tracking only**.

* * *

## 💳 **Progress Draws and Invoicing**

When billing for progress:

1.  Update **percent complete** or **invoice amounts** per line item.
2.  Click **Submit** to enter the **Review Stage**:
    -   Add a **note** (e.g., "April 2025 Draw").
    -   Attach supporting documents (if needed).
3.  Confirm and export a **progress billing PDF**.
4.  Invoice summary includes:
    -   Total completed
    -   Less previous billings
    -   Holdback applied
    -   Net amount due

✅ **Each draw creates a fully traceable billing record.**

* * *

## 🔄 **Integration with Forms: Update Contract Step**

You can **automate adding change orders** into the Contract tab:

-   Use the **Update Contract** workflow step inside form workflows (e.g., Change Orders).
-   Match the **Section Name exactly** (e.g., "Changes" or "Change Requests").
-   Form data will **auto-create new rows** inside the appropriate section.

✅ **Dynamic** and **flexible** — perfect for automated project control!

* * *

## 🧠 **Key Tips and Edge Cases**

-   **Lock carefully**: After locking, changes can cause calculation mismatches downstream.
-   **Holdback is optional**: Not every contract needs retainage — toggle it based on project type.
-   **Template first, manual second**: Always import templates before adding any manual rows.
-   **Audit Trail Everywhere**: Every edit has a **History** record showing who made changes and when.
-   **Subcontract Change Management**: Click **Info** beside subcontract rows to manage subcontractor-specific change orders.

* * *

## **✅ Example Scenario**

You're managing a $1M condo project:

-   You break the base contract into 10 major items (foundation, framing, plumbing, etc.).
-   Apply a 10% holdback.
-   Add approved change orders during construction.
-   Export clean progress draw PDFs monthly.
-   Track subtrade billings separately under Subcontracts.

Result: Smooth billing, accurate tracking, happy clients!

* * *

## 🚀 **Summary**

The Contract Tab in Ontraccr gives you full control over **project billing**, **schedule of values**, **retainage**, and **change management** — keeping your project finances clean, professional, and accurate from start to finish!