Construction · Defined
Cost to complete
An estimate of the remaining cost to finish a project as of a stated date. It should explain the scope, commitments, assumptions, and unresolved exposures included in the estimate.
Why it matters
Remaining contract balances alone may omit owner-direct work, unresolved changes, extended general conditions, or corrective work. Lenders and equity partners compare the forecast with funds actually available for completion. The analysis is a dated assessment, not a guarantee of final cost.
In practice
A project example
The contractor has a remaining balance, but a utility connection is owner-contracted and not yet funded. Both scopes belong in the completion discussion.
General educational guidance from KOW Building Consultants. Examples are illustrative, not project records. The applicable contract, standard, program, and jurisdiction control the requirements for a specific assignment.