Construction Loan Draw Schedule Template: A Sample Structure You Can Adapt
If you're gearing up to close a construction loan, you'll need a draw schedule template you can actually work from — not just a definition of the concept. Below is a sample draw schedule broken into the phases most residential and light commercial builds move through, along with the documentation lenders typically want to see before releasing each draw.
Sample draw schedule template
This is an illustrative example only. Actual draw structures vary by lender, project size, region, and scope of work — treat the percentages and phases below as a starting framework, not a fixed standard.
| Draw | Phase / Milestone | Example % | What's Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Site Prep & Foundation | ~15% | Permits pulled, site cleared/graded, footings and foundation poured and inspected |
| 2 | Framing | ~20% | Framing complete to plan, roof deck and sheathing in place, structural inspection passed |
| 3 | Rough-In (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) | ~20% | Rough electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installed, rough-in inspections passed |
| 4 | Drywall & Insulation | ~15% | Insulation installed and inspected, drywall hung and finished, house enclosed and weathertight |
| 5 | Interior Finishes & Cabinetry | ~15% | Flooring, cabinetry, countertops, interior doors/trim, and fixtures substantially installed |
| 6 | Final Completion & Punch List | ~15% | Certificate of occupancy obtained, punch list items resolved, final lien waivers collected |
Lenders will also typically want an updated site inspection or third-party progress report before releasing each draw, along with paid invoices, receipts, or contractor pay applications tied to the work being billed.
How to adapt this template to your project
This six-draw structure works well as a baseline for many single-family and small multifamily builds, but it's a starting point, not a rulebook.
- Larger or more complex projects often use more draws — sometimes 8 to 12 — for tighter checkpoints and more frequent cash access.
- Smaller or simpler projects, like a cosmetic renovation or fast-turn flip, may consolidate into 3 to 5 draws.
- Some lenders combine phases — rolling rough-in and drywall into one draw — while others split a phase into two or three to reduce exposure.
- Site conditions matter too — significant site work may need a dedicated draw before foundation work even begins.
The percentages should also roughly track your actual cost breakdown. If cabinetry and finishes represent 25% of your total budget rather than 15%, your draw schedule should reflect that, not an arbitrary phase split.
Keeping draw requests moving smoothly
A well-built schedule only helps if the draw process itself runs efficiently:
- Keep documentation organized from day one. Invoices, receipts, lien waivers, and change orders tracked in one place per draw.
- Schedule inspections early, not reactively. Get on the calendar as soon as a phase is substantially complete.
- Keep lien waivers current. Collect them as work is paid, not weeks later.
- Communicate delays before they become surprises. Lenders can usually work with a flagged, explained delay.
Working with a lender who understands your draw schedule
The draw schedule you use should fit the way your project actually gets built — not force your construction sequence into a template designed for a different kind of project. At BldFi, we work directly with builders and investors — and their lenders — to structure a draw schedule around the realities of their specific job.
Planning a build and want a draw schedule built around it?
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