Tools6 min read
Managing Compliance Projects in WageHound
A single rate comparison is useful. A structured project record with monthly payroll uploads, correction histories, and sub-tier coverage is what survives a Comptroller investigation. This guide explains how to use WageHound's project system to build that record systematically.
What Is a WageHound Project?
A WageHound project is a named container that groups multiple contractor payroll uploads for the same construction job. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a project compliance binder. Each project holds:
- Project name and client reference
- Project start date
- Description / notes (scope, address, project type)
- All contractor rate uploads associated with the job
- Links to individual comparison reports for each upload period
Projects require a WageHound account (sign in via the nav bar). All projects are private to the account that creates them.
Setting Up a Project
When to create a project
Create a project as early as the project's preconstruction phase — ideally before the first subcontractor mobilizes. This lets you capture the initial bid-phase rate data as a baseline and compare subsequent certified payroll submissions against it throughout the project duration.
Project naming conventions
Use a consistent naming convention that matches your internal project management system. A format like CLIENT — Building Address — Phase works well. The project name appears in all comparison reports and the upload history.
Client name field
If you are managing compliance on behalf of a client (as a CM, compliance consultant, or OPM), use the client name field to identify the project owner. This is useful for multi-client portfolios where multiple active projects may have similar descriptions.
The Upload Cadence: Recommended Workflow
The most effective compliance programs upload payroll data on a regular schedule aligned with certified payroll submission cycles. A recommended cadence:
Monthly upload (standard)
RecommendedCollect certified payroll exports for all active subs from LCPtracker at month-end. Aggregate into a single CSV per sub (or a combined CSV for all subs) and upload to WageHound. Review the comparison report and issue cure notices within 5 business days.
Weekly upload (high-scrutiny projects)
High-risk projectsFor projects with a history of violations, large sub-tier populations, or active Comptroller investigations, weekly uploads let you catch underpayment patterns before they compound. More overhead, but the audit trail value is higher.
Milestone upload (smaller projects)
SimplifiedFor smaller projects with few active subs, upload at major construction milestones (foundation complete, structure topped out, MEP rough-in complete). Less granular but maintains a record of rate compliance at key project phases.
Reading the Project Detail View
The project detail page shows a summary card with project metadata and a chronological log of all uploads. For each upload you can see:
- Date and time of upload
- Number of rate records in that upload
- Direct link to the comparison report for that upload period
Click any upload entry to open the comparison report for that period. The comparison shows rates submitted by contractors against current prevailing wages — color-coded to indicate compliance status (below, at, or above the prevailing rate).
Building an Audit Trail
A well-maintained WageHound project creates a defensible audit trail that demonstrates:
Proactive monitoring
Regular uploads show that the owner/OPM was actively reviewing contractor rates — not just collecting certified payrolls and filing them.
Identified violations
Comparison reports timestamp when underpayments were first detected, establishing that you had knowledge and acted.
Cure and correction
Subsequent uploads that show the gap closed provide evidence that the contractor corrected the issue following your notice.
Ongoing compliance
Multi-period uploads demonstrate sustained compliance tracking across the full project duration — not a one-time check.
Note: WageHound is a monitoring and analysis tool. For a fully defensible legal compliance record, supplement WageHound data with signed cure notices, contractor response letters, and payment records showing make-whole amounts. WageHound data works best as supporting evidence, not as standalone proof.
✓ Project Setup and Management Checklist
- Create the WageHound project before the first sub mobilizes — establish the baseline early.
- Name the project consistently with your internal project management system.
- Define your upload cadence (monthly, weekly, milestone) before construction begins.
- Assign a responsible team member to pull and upload certified payroll exports on schedule.
- After each upload, review the comparison report within 5 business days and issue cure notices for any gaps.
- Re-upload the following period to confirm corrections were applied and documented.
- Retain all comparison reports and related correspondence as part of your compliance file.