Project Labor Agreements (PLAs): Secrets to Understanding Your Costs and Compliance Risks
eBacon
52:11
Most contractors evaluate PLAs by looking at wage rates.
And that’s rarely where the real cost shows up.
Research — including findings from RAND — has linked PLA projects to overall cost increases exceeding 20% and extended timelines. Much of that impact comes from cost drivers contractors don’t fully model during bid strategy.
PLAs can quietly affect:
- Bid margins through dual benefit payments and fringe duplication
- Workforce flexibility through hiring hall requirements
- Administrative overhead and certified payroll complexity
- Subcontractor participation and staffing control
- Compliance exposure beyond standard prevailing wage
In This Webinar, You’ll Learn:
- How to identify the real cost drivers in a PLA before you finalize your bid
- Where compliance risk increases — and how to model it
- How PLAs impact subcontractors and workforce control
- What research reveals about cost escalation and timeline risk
- Why not all PLA agreements are created equal
- A practical framework to evaluate PLA exposure before signing
The Secret...
PLAs don’t just impact labor rates. They influence total project delivery, risk exposure, and margin protection.
Register now to understand the full picture before your next PLA bid.
And be sure to attend LIVE to receive your FREE "Compliance Risk Checklist for PLAs" — covering what to evaluate before bidding and what to monitor once the project begins.
Speakers
Shawna Coronado
Host
Shawna Coronado is eBacon’s Digital Content Strategist and the regular host of its webinar series. She helps payroll managers and workforce management teams make sense of complex construction compliance topics, turning regulations into clear, actionable guidance.
Michael McCoy
Founder & Principal Consultant, Public Works Compliance Advisors (PWCA)
Michael McCoy is the definitive authority on certified payroll compliance and audit defense. As founder of PWCA, he's guided hundreds of contractors through DOL audits and regulatory challenges across multiple jurisdictions. His insider knowledge of enforcement priorities and state-specific requirements gives clients a critical edge in avoiding penalties. Michael's proven systems for maintaining compliance while managing complex multi-state operations have become industry standards, making him the go-to expert for contractors navigating today's evolving certified payroll landscape.
Mike Brown
Regional Sales Manager
Mike Brown brings over seven years of experience at eBacon, working closely with contractors to navigate prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll, and the operational complexities of public works projects. With hands-on expertise in payroll administration, workforce compliance, and labor cost management, Mike provides practical insight into how labor mandates — including PLAs — impact bids, margins, and compliance risk. He serves on the board of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) San Diego chapter and participates in the ABC Statewide Government Affairs Committee. Recognized as ABC San Diego’s 2023 Young Professional of the Year, Mike combines real-world compliance experience with active industry leadership to help contractors operate confidently in an evolving regulatory environment.
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