Construction Financial Glossary

Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) Definition

CVR means cost value reconciliation. A CVR compares the value a contractor has earned on a project, meaning the latest Valuation plus work done but not yet certified, with the cost of getting there, including costs not yet invoiced. The gap is the profit or loss to date, and UK contractors usually run a CVR on every live project each month. For a worked CVR table and the formulas behind it, see our guide to cost value reconciliation.

How CVR Impacts Profitability

CVR allows contractors to monitor the financial performance of a project by assessing whether the value of work completed is in line with actual costs. Discrepancies may indicate cost overruns or underperformance. By identifying these discrepancies early, contractors can take corrective actions to maintain profitability.

Best Practices for Conducting CVR

Regularly updating CVR reports helps ensure accurate financial tracking. Contractors should compare costs and values at each project milestone to identify and address any variances. Using financial management software can streamline this process and improve accuracy.

CVR software

Most contractors start with a CVR spreadsheet and move to software once they run several jobs at a time. Planyard, our product, builds the CVR from purchase orders, invoices, valuations and variations as they are entered, so there is no month-end rebuild; see cost value reconciliation software. To compare it with other tools, read our guide to the best CVR software for contractors.

Related Terms: Variance Analysis, Cashflow Forecast

Frequently asked questions

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CVR stands for cost value reconciliation. It is a regular check, usually monthly, of the value earned on a project against the cost incurred, which shows the profit or loss to date and the forecast final margin.

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