Aia G702 G703 Explained: What Every GC Needs to Know

Every commercial construction pay application in the United States ultimately runs through some version of the AIA G702 G703 document pair. The forms have been the industry standard since the American Institute of Architects first published them in 1970, with the current G702-1992 edition still in active use. But a surprising number of GCs treat G702 as a cover sheet and G703 as a spreadsheet, missing the dozens of small legal and financial implications packed into each column. This guide unpacks the two documents column by column, explains how the signature chain creates enforceable obligations, covers retainage and stored-materials treatment, and identifies the five most common field mistakes.

Key Takeaways

• AIA G702 is the Application and Certificate for Payment; G703 is the Continuation Sheet. They are always submitted together.
• The G702-1992 edition remains the current published version as of 2026, though AIA updates accompanying documents periodically.
• G702 carries three signature blocks: contractor, architect, and owner, each with distinct legal meaning.
• G703 supports up to 60 line items per sheet; large projects commonly span 4-6 sheets.
• Columns E and F on G703 separate "work completed this period" from "previous applications," which is where most disputes surface.
• Column G tracks materials stored but not yet incorporated, a frequent source of overbilling.
• The SubcontractorAudit 2026 GC Compliance Report found 23% of G702 submissions contain column math errors that delay payment by 8 to 12 days on average.

G702: The Application and Certificate for Payment

G702 is a one-page summary. The top half is the Application for Payment (filled by the contractor). The bottom half is the Certificate for Payment (signed by the architect). Each section has specific legal weight.

The contractor's application requests payment for work performed during the billing period. Line 1 carries the original contract sum. Line 2 reflects net change by change orders. Line 3 is the contract sum to date. Line 4 is total completed and stored to date. Line 5 is retainage. Line 6 is total earned less retainage. Line 7 subtracts previous payments. Line 8 is the current payment due. Line 9 is the balance to finish.

See the pillar guide on AIA G702 and G703 for a complete column walkthrough with annotated examples.

G703: The Continuation Sheet

G703 is the workhorse. It contains columns A through I:

• A: Item number
• B: Description of work
• C: Scheduled value
• D: Work completed from previous application
• E: Work completed this period
• F: Materials presently stored
• G: Total completed and stored to date
• H: Percentage complete
• I: Balance to finish

Column C feeds directly from the Schedule of Values. Columns D and E together drive the math. Column F is the one most frequently manipulated. Column H is the percentage lenders audit.

The Signature Chain

When the contractor signs G702, it certifies that work billed has been performed in accordance with the contract. When the architect signs, it certifies the work to the owner. When the owner signs (or pays), it accepts the work for payment purposes but does not waive defect claims.

Most AIA contracts also require the architect to issue a written statement of any amount being withheld or disapproved. Silent partial approvals create dispute surface.

Retainage Treatment on G702

Line 5 on G702 is divided into 5(a) retainage on completed work and 5(b) retainage on stored materials. Most contracts hold 10% on both until 50% completion, then 5% thereafter. State statutes cap these on public work:

• California Public Contract Code 7201: 5% after 50%.
• Texas Property Code 2253.022: 5% cap on public work.
• Florida F.S. 255.078: 5% cap after 50% completion on projects over $200,000.

See our retainage glossary entry for a 50-state comparison.

Stored Materials on G703 Column F

Column F is the most audited line on any G703. Materials claimed as stored must be:

• Segregated from other inventory
• Insured with the owner as loss payee
• Supported by a bill of lading or purchase order
• Documented with date-stamped photos

AIA A201-2017 Section 9.3.2 establishes the storage certification standard that owners rely on.

Five Common G702/G703 Mistakes

1. Column D not matching prior pay app line I. Running balance math fails.
2. Column F claims without photo evidence.
3. Retainage calculated on gross rather than net.
4. Change order columns (line 2) misaligned between G702 and G703.
5. Percentage complete (column H) manually entered instead of calculated.

G702/G703 Math Audit Checklist

Use the pay app calculator to automate these checks.

2026 Enforcement Trends

Sureties and lenders have tightened G702/G703 review standards in 2026. Fidelity bond claims submitted with math errors on G702 are now returned for correction before review, not processed and corrected. Banks funding construction loans are requiring G703 photos embedded with the submission on 82% of commercial projects, up from 61% in 2023 according to Dodge Data.

FAQ

Is AIA G702 legally required on construction projects?

No. G702 is an industry standard contract document, not a statutory requirement. Most commercial contracts reference AIA A201 or ConsensusDocs, which in turn require G702 or an equivalent form for pay applications. Public projects sometimes substitute state-specific forms (Texas uses a state form for TxDOT work, California uses DAS forms for state projects). On private commercial work, G702 remains the default, and using an alternative form without contractual authority creates dispute risk.

What is the difference between G702 and G702S?

G702S is the 2015 "subcontractor" variant of G702, designed for sub-to-GC pay applications rather than GC-to-owner. The columns are similar but the signature block accommodates GC approval rather than architect certification. Some GCs standardize on G702S for sub billings because it parallels the form they submit upward. Others use a proprietary template. G702S is not mandatory; subs can submit any format the subcontract permits.

How does the G702 schedule of values interact with the master SOV?

The G703 continuation sheet columns reflect line items from the project Schedule of Values. When the master SOV is signed by the owner at project start, it establishes the scheduled values that populate G703 column C for every future pay application. Changes to the SOV require formal amendments, typically through change orders. Silent changes to G703 column C values without SOV amendment are the fastest path to a pay application rejection.

What happens if the architect refuses to certify G702?

Under AIA A201 Section 9.5, the architect must either certify the full amount, certify a partial amount with written explanation, or withhold certification entirely with written explanation. Silent refusal to act is itself a breach of the architect's contractual obligation. If the architect withholds certification improperly, the contractor can invoke dispute resolution procedures in the owner-contractor agreement. Most AIA contracts provide for expedited mediation of certification disputes to avoid extended payment delays.

Can I submit G702 without G703?

Not effectively. G702 is a summary of the line-item detail in G703. Submitting G702 alone gives the architect and owner no way to verify the claimed amounts. Most contracts require both forms. Even if not explicitly required, owners will reject standalone G702 submissions and request the continuation sheet. The two documents function as a single instrument and should always be prepared and submitted together, with matching math on all summary lines.

How do electronic signatures affect G702/G703?

Since AIA's 2017 document update, electronic signatures are fully accepted on G702 and G703 under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA equivalents. The signatures carry the same legal weight as wet signatures. GCs should ensure their e-signature platform produces an audit trail that can be authenticated in court. DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and AIA's own Contract Documents platform all meet this standard. Scanning a physical signature and pasting it onto a PDF does not; use a compliant e-signature service.

Eliminate G702/G703 Math Errors Before They Delay Payment

The average commercial GC processes 40 to 80 G702 submissions per month across an active project portfolio. A single math error delays payment by 8 to 12 days. See how automated pay application auditing catches column mismatches, retainage errors, and missing photo evidence before submission.