AIA G702: Automate Your Pay Applications with AI

Every construction project involves paperwork, but the AIA G702 form is one document you cannot afford to get wrong. This standardized application for payment is used across the industry, often alongside the G703 continuation sheet, to request contractor reimbursements.

But here’s the problem: processing these pay apps manually is slow, error-prone, and costly. In this post, we’ll break down what a G702 is, how to fill out AIA G702 forms, why it causes delays, and how Kolena uses AI automation to simplify the entire process.

The G702 summarizes:

• Contract value: the original contract sum plus net changes from approved change orders.

• Previous payments: amounts already certified on prior applications.

• Current amount requested: the exact payment due for this billing period.

• Retainage held: the percentage withheld until the work is complete.

• Remaining contract balance: the value left to finish on the contract.

Key sections of the G702 form:

• General information: project name, owner, contractor, architect, application number, and billing period dates.

• Contract summary: the original contract sum, net changes from approved change orders, and the updated contract total.

• Work and retainage math: total completed and stored materials, less retainage and previous certificates, to reach the current payment due.

• Signatures and certification: a notarized contractor signature area, plus a section for the architect or owner to review, sign, and certify the amount.

This is part of a series of articles about Contractor Pay App.

What Is the AIA G702 Form?

The AIA G702 is the “Application and Certificate for Payment” used by contractors to request payment for work completed on a project. It is typically submitted alongside the AIA G703 continuation sheet, which provides a line-item breakdown of costs.

The G702 summarizes:

• Contract value

• Previous payments

• Current amount requested

• Retainage held

• Remaining contract balance

The form includes a certification that the work is complete and payment is due, signed by both the contractor and architect or project manager.

What Is a G702 Used For?

A G702 has one job: to move money on a construction project. The contractor uses it to apply for payment covering a specific billing period, and the architect uses the same page to certify the amount actually due. The owner then pays the contractor directly against that certified amount, which is why the document works as both an application and a certificate.

In day-to-day use, four groups rely on it:

• Contractors and subcontractors: apply for progress payments and document what was completed and stored during the period.

• Architects and owners: review the math, certify the amount due, and authorize release of payment.

• Accounting teams: use the certified amount as the basis for the invoice and the ERP entry.

• Lenders and sureties: treat the certified totals as evidence of progress before funding a draw.

One detail that catches teams out: the certificate is not negotiable, and the certified amount is payable only to the contractor named on the form.

G702 Meaning in Construction Billing

The G702 meaning is easiest to unpack from the document code itself. AIA stands for the American Institute of Architects, and the G series of AIA Contract Documents covers contract administration and project management forms. Within that series, 702 is the number assigned to the Application and Certificate for Payment. The edition still in use today is G702-1992, a form whose copyright lineage runs back to 1953.

So when a general contractor asks a subcontractor to "send over the G702," the working meaning is narrower than the official title: it is the one-page summary cover sheet for a pay application, with the G703 continuation sheet behind it carrying the line-item detail.

Key Sections of the G702 Form

The G702 organizes payment information into a few key sections:

• General information: identifies the project name, owner, contractor, architect, application number, and billing period dates.

• Contract summary: tracks the original contract sum, net changes from approved change orders, and the updated contract total.

• Work and retainage math: computes the total completed and stored materials, subtracts retainage percentages, accounts for previous certificates, and calculates the exact current payment due.

• Signatures and certification: includes a notarized contractor signature area verifying accuracy, and a dedicated section for the architect or owner to review, sign, and certify the final amount.

Why the G702 Matters in Construction Billing

The G702 isn’t just a form; it’s the central checkpoint in the progress billing workflow. If it’s inaccurate, incomplete, or delayed, it can stall payments for weeks.

Common issues construction teams face:

• Manual calculations lead to errors in retainage or totals

• Lack of clarity across parties about what’s been billed

• Frequent rework due to incorrect math or missing data

• Slow review cycles when spreadsheets and PDFs are exchanged by email

According to Flashtract, even small errors in AIA forms can lead to payment delays, strained relationships, and disputes.

How to Fill Out AIA G702 Forms (Key Fields)

Learning how to fill out AIA G702 forms starts with knowing which document carries which numbers. While the G703 details each work item, the G702 summarizes the big picture. Here’s what you’ll typically fill out:

1. Contract Sum to Date – Total value of the contract

2. Total Completed and Stored to Date – Amount already completed and invoiced (from G703)

3. Retainage – Typically 5–10 percent withheld

4. Total Earned Less Retainage – Work value minus retained funds

5. Less Previous Certificates for Payment – Prior approved amounts

6. Current Payment Due – What is being requested now

7. Balance to Finish – Remaining value on the contract

It must be signed by the contractor and then certified by the architect, indicating approval for payment.

AIA G702 vs G703: What’s the Difference?

• G702 = Summary application and payment request

• G703 = Detailed schedule of values (line-item breakdown)

Together, they form the complete pay application. Think of G702 as the cover sheet and G703 as the supporting details.

Need help with the G703? Read our companion post: AIA G703: Automate Your Pay Application Reviews with AI

Manual G702 Processing: Hidden Costs

Let’s face it — reviewing pay applications manually takes time. Especially if:

• You’re managing multiple subcontractors

• Pay apps are sent in PDFs or spreadsheets

• You’re cross-checking each value by hand

• Forms are filled out inconsistently across jobs

This adds friction to billing workflows and delays cash flow, which is why many teams are turning to automation.

Kolena Automates AIA G702 Reviews with AI

Kolena’s AI-powered platform takes the pain out of pay application reviews. Here’s how:

• Extracts values from submitted G702 forms (PDF or Excel)

• Cross-verifies totals with prior payments and the linked G703

• Validates retainage, math, and certifications

• Flags anomalies or missing fields

• Sends structured output to your systems for approval or ERP entry

Kolena’s AI agents act like digital reviewers that never miss a number. The result:

• Reviews take minutes, not hours

• Accuracy goes up

• Fewer payment disputes or back-and-forth emails

“Kolena clients report reducing average review time from 3.5 hours to just 8 minutes.“

Get Paid Faster with Kolena

The AIA G702 is essential, but it should not slow your project down. With Kolena, you can:

• Reduce manual errors

• Accelerate approvals

• Free up project managers from admin work

Want to see Kolena in action? Schedule a demo now.