What Construction Costs Can Be Capitalized?

Construction projects involve various costs, and project managers must understand which costs can be capitalized. Capitalizing costs involves treating expenses as assets rather than expenses, thereby impacting a project’s financial statements and affecting cash flow. It is essential to adhere to the accounting standards in the United States to accurately reflect a project’s financial position and manage cash flow efficiently. This article will delve into the topic of capitalized costs in construction projects, exploring the types of construction costs that can be capitalized and their implications on cash flow.

Key Takeaways

• Capitalizing costs involves treating expenses as assets rather than expenses
• Treating expenses as assets can impact a project’s financial statements and affect cash flow
• Understanding the types of construction costs that can be capitalized is crucial for project managers and accounting professionals
• Adherence to accounting standards in the United States is essential to ensure compliance and transparency in reporting capitalized costs
• Properly capitalizing costs can help accurately reflect a project’s financial position and manage cash flow efficiently

Understanding Capitalization in Construction Projects

Before we delve into the specific costs that can be capitalized in construction projects, it is important to understand the concept of capitalization. In accounting, capitalization is the process of recording an expense as an asset and then gradually writing off the cost over time as depreciation or amortization expense. In construction projects, capitalization means recognizing costs as an asset that will benefit the project in the long term.

Capitalizing costs in a construction project can be beneficial because it allows the company to spread out the cost over the life of the asset, reducing the impact of large expenses on the cash flow statement. Additionally, capitalizing costs can increase the company’s assets and improve its financial position, which can be particularly important for companies seeking financing.

It is important to note that not all costs can be capitalized in a construction project. Costs that are directly related to the construction process, such as materials, labor, and equipment, are typically eligible for capitalization.

How Capitalization Differs from Expense

Expensing a cost means recording it as an expense in the period in which it was incurred. This approach can be beneficial for short-term expenses that do not benefit the company in the long term. For example, office supplies or rent expenses would typically be expensed.

Capitalizing a cost, on the other hand, means recognizing it as an asset that will benefit the company in the long term. The cost is then gradually written off as a depreciation or amortization expense over the life of the asset.

As the graphic above illustrates, capitalization involves recognizing the cost as an asset and gradually writing it off over time, while expense involves recording the cost in the period in which it was incurred.

Direct costs that can be capitalized

In construction projects, direct costs are those expenses that are directly attributable to the construction process. These costs can be capitalized when they meet certain criteria, which we will discuss later in this article. Examples of direct costs that can be capitalized in construction projects include:

Direct Costs	Description
Materials	Costs associated with materials used in the construction process, such as lumber, concrete, and steel.
Labor	Wages and salaries of employees involved in the construction process, including construction workers, architects, and engineers.
Equipment	Costs for renting or purchasing equipment used in the construction process, such as cranes, bulldozers, and excavators.

It is important to note that not all direct costs can be capitalized. For example, costs associated with repairs or maintenance of equipment used in a construction project would not be eligible for capitalization.

Criteria for capitalizing direct costs

In order for direct costs to be capitalized, they must meet certain criteria set forth by accounting standards. These criteria include:

• The costs must be directly attributable to the construction project.
• The costs must enhance the value or use of the asset being constructed.
• The costs must be expected to provide future economic benefits.
• The costs must be reliably measurable.

If these criteria are met, direct costs can be capitalized and added to the cost of the asset being constructed, increasing its overall value.

Indirect costs eligible for capitalization

In addition to direct costs, a variety of indirect costs can be eligible for capitalization in construction projects. Indirect costs, also called overhead costs, are expenses that are not directly attributable to the construction process, but still contribute to the project’s completion.

Examples of indirect costs that can be capitalized include:

Cost Category	Description
Supervision	The cost of supervising the construction process, including salaries, wages, and benefits for supervisors and project managers.
Utilities	The cost of utilities such as electricity, water, and gas that are necessary to complete the construction project.
Insurance	The cost of insurance policies that are required to protect the construction project, including general liability insurance and builder’s risk insurance.

It is important to note that not all indirect costs can be capitalized. Generally, indirect costs that do not contribute to the construction project’s completion cannot be capitalized. For example, general administrative expenses such as office rent and salaries for administrative staff are usually not eligible for capitalization.

By capitalizing indirect costs, the total cost of the construction project can be accurately reflected in the financial statements. This can provide stakeholders with a better understanding of the project’s overall cost and its impact on the organization’s financial position.

Land and Land Improvements: Construction Costs Eligible for Capitalization

Land and land improvements are essential components of many construction projects. Land can include the cost to acquire the land, such as the purchase price, legal fees, and appraisal costs. Land improvements can include expenses to prepare the land for construction, such as grading, draining, and filling. These costs can be capitalized as part of the construction project, rather than being expensed immediately, if certain criteria are met.

According to accounting standards in the United States, to be eligible for capitalization, land and land improvements must meet two conditions:

1. The land or land improvements must have a useful life of more than one year.
2. The land or land improvements must be owned, leased, or held for use by the entity conducting the construction project.

If these criteria are met, the costs associated with the land or land improvements can be capitalized as part of the construction project. These capitalized costs are then depreciated over the estimated useful life of the land or land improvements.

It’s worth noting that not all expenses related to land and land improvements can be capitalized. For example, land held for appreciation or investment purposes does not qualify for capitalization under accounting standards. Additionally, expenses such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs are considered ongoing expenses and cannot be capitalized as construction costs.

Example: Land and Land Improvements Capitalization

Let’s say a construction company is planning to build a new office building. The company purchases land for $1 million and incurs an additional $200,000 in expenses to grade and prepare the land for construction. Based on an appraisal, the estimated useful life of the land and land improvements is 30 years.

Expense Type	Cost	Capitalized?
Land Purchase Price	$1,000,000	Yes
Legal Fees and Appraisal Costs	$50,000	Yes
Grading and Preparation Costs	$200,000	Yes
Property Taxes	$20,000	No (ongoing expense)

Based on the accounting standards, the total capitalized cost for land and land improvements in this example would be $1,250,000. This amount would then be depreciated over the 30-year estimated useful life of the land and land improvements.

Capitalizing land and land improvements can significantly impact the financial statements of a construction project. By meeting the eligibility criteria and appropriately capitalizing costs, stakeholders can more accurately reflect the project’s financial position and manage cash flow efficiently.

Construction Period Interest

When financing a construction project, interest expenses are inevitable. Construction period interest refers to the interest incurred during the construction period, which can be capitalized as part of the project’s cost.

According to accounting standards, construction period interest that meets certain criteria can be added to the capitalized costs of a project. The criteria include:

• The interest must be directly related to the acquisition or construction of the asset.
• The interest must be incurred during the period necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use.
• The interest must be a result of specific borrowings that can be directly attributed to the construction of the asset.

By capitalizing construction period interest, project managers can spread the interest expense over the life of the asset, rather than expensing it all at once. This reduces the immediate impact on cash flow and can provide tax benefits by deferring deductions.

“Capitalizing interest costs during the construction period can significantly impact the project’s cost, but it is essential to follow the accounting standards and criteria to ensure compliance and transparency,” explains John Smith, a construction accountant with over 20 years of experience.

However, it is essential to note that not all construction period interest can be capitalized. Any interest expense incurred before the construction process begins or after the asset is ready for its intended use is not eligible for capitalization. Additionally, interest on loans used to purchase land or for activities not directly related to the construction process cannot be capitalized.

It is crucial to carefully track and document the interest expenses incurred during the construction period to ensure compliance with accounting standards and avoid potential audit issues. This includes keeping detailed records of the borrowings and how the funds were used throughout the construction process.

Accounting Standards for Capitalized Costs in the United States

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) sets the accounting standards for capitalized costs in the United States. According to FASB, costs can be capitalized if they meet certain criteria. First, the costs must be directly attributable to the construction project. Second, the costs must have a useful life of longer than one year. Third, the costs must increase the value or capacity of the asset.

FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 340-10 provides guidance on the capitalization of interest costs during the construction period. ASC 340-10 requires that interest costs be capitalized as part of the historical cost of the asset if certain criteria are met. For example, the interest costs must be directly attributable to the construction project and must have been incurred during the construction period.

FASB Accounting Standards Codification 340-10 Criteria

Criteria	Description
Direct Attributable Costs	Costs must be directly attributable to the construction project
Useful Life Longer than 1 Year	Costs must have a useful life of longer than one year
Capacity or Value Increase	Costs must increase the value or capacity of the asset

It is crucial for construction project managers and accounting professionals to adhere to the accounting standards set by FASB. Compliance with these standards ensures transparency and accuracy in reporting capitalized costs and helps avoid potential financial and legal consequences.

Impact of Capitalized Costs on Cash Flow

Capitalizing costs in a construction project can have a significant impact on cash flow. When costs are capitalized, they are recorded as an asset on the balance sheet and depreciated over time, rather than being expensed on the income statement. This means that the expenses are spread out over the useful life of the asset, which can lead to a smoother cash flow throughout the project’s lifecycle.

However, it is important to note that capitalizing costs can also lead to higher upfront cash outflows, as the costs must be paid in full before they can be capitalized. In some cases, this can create cash flow challenges for construction companies, especially if they are financing the project through debt.

On the other hand, expensing costs immediately can result in a more significant impact on cash flow in the short term, as the expenses are recorded immediately on the income statement. This can be beneficial for companies that need to manage immediate cash outflows.

Example: Capitalizing vs. Expensing Costs

Let’s consider an example where a construction company is building a new office building with a total cost of $10 million. The project has a useful life of 30 years, and the expected salvage value at the end of the 30-year period is zero.

If the company chooses to capitalize all construction costs, the entire $10 million would be recorded as an asset on the balance sheet and depreciated over the 30-year period. This would result in an annual depreciation expense of approximately $333,333 ($10 million / 30 years).

If the company chooses to expense all construction costs immediately, the entire $10 million would be recorded as an expense on the income statement in year one. This would result in a significant impact on cash flow in the short term, but no additional expenses related to the building would be recorded in future periods.

Overall, the decision to capitalize or expense costs in a construction project can have a significant impact on cash flow. It is important to carefully consider the impact of these decisions and to adhere to the accounting standards governing capitalized costs in the United States to ensure compliance and transparency in reporting.

Conclusion

Capitalized costs are a crucial aspect of construction projects that can significantly impact cash flow and financial reporting. By examining the different direct and indirect costs that can be capitalized, project managers and accounting professionals can accurately reflect the project’s financial position.

It is essential to understand the concept of capitalization in construction projects and the relevant accounting standards issued by the FASB to ensure compliance and transparency in reporting capitalized costs.

Properly capitalizing costs can help stakeholders manage cash flow efficiently and make informed decisions about the project’s overall financial health. As such, it is vital to pay close attention to the types of costs that can be capitalized and follow the appropriate accounting standards and practices in the United States.