More than half of large UK construction firms have experienced delays to retention releases or final accounts due to missing documentation or disconnected data systems between site, commercial and finance teams, according to new research.

The findings come from Xpedeon’s Construction Systems Census 2026, which surveyed 500 senior construction, finance and commercial leaders across the UK industry.

The research found that 53% of organisations reported frequent or occasional delays to final accounts or retention releases over the past 12 months, highlighting ongoing challenges in project close-out processes across the sector.

Weak real-time reporting and data flow between teams

The study also points to wider issues with financial visibility and reporting confidence in large construction businesses.

Only 16% of organisations said they are fully confident that work-in-progress (WIP) and margin reports reflect true project status before month-end close without later adjustments.

Just 13% reported that completed work is recorded in finance systems on the same day it is carried out on site.

Together, these findings suggest a disconnect between site activity and financial reporting, with delays in data transfer contributing to uncertainty in live project performance and commercial decision-making.

Industry focus on connected systems and financial control

Vivek Sharma, executive director at Xpedeon, said: “The issue for many firms is that, as work moves through the project lifecycle, approved records, evidence and decisions are not always staying connected between site, commercial and finance. That makes it harder to trust cost positions, release cash on time and act early when margin starts to move.

“For large construction businesses, this is no longer just an administrative frustration. When records do not move cleanly from site to commercial and through to finance, cash gets held up, reporting confidence weakens and commercial teams lose time reconstructing positions that should already be clear.

“For businesses with systems already in place, the issue is whether those systems keep approved records, evidence and decisions connected as work moves from project award to close out. Where they do not, final accounts take longer to agree, retention is delayed and live financial reporting becomes harder to trust.”

The findings highlight growing pressure on construction firms to improve digital integration across project delivery, particularly in relation to cost control, financial reporting and project close-out.

Xpedeon develops construction-specific ERP systems designed to support contractors, housebuilders and developers across the full project lifecycle, from project award through to completion and close-out.