Create Your First Bank Draw Request in Smart Builder 360
15 September
Kurt Shank
Principal at SB360
By Smart Builder 360 Team |
Principal Contributors: Kurt Shank & Dave Daugherty |
Updated: September 2026
Your first bank draw request in Smart Builder 360 is built from the milestone, the requested amount, percentage complete, and the cost breakdown behind the job, plus supporting documents and lien waiver details — all pulled from the project record you're already keeping, not recreated from scratch.
If you're mid-trial and your first draw is coming up, here's the exact order to put the request together — no guessing at what the bank needs, no digging through email for last month's invoices.
Step 1: Confirm the Milestone Is Actually Complete
1Before you touch the draw request, confirm the milestone is done. Missing or unclear progress is one of the most common reasons draw requests get sent back, so this is worth getting right before you start filling anything in.
Step 2: Start the Draw Request From the Project
2Open the draw request from inside the project it belongs to. Because it's tied to the project record, the schedule, and the cost information you've already entered, you're not rebuilding the job's numbers from a blank form every time a milestone comes around.
Step 3: Enter the Draw Details
3Fill in the milestone, the requested amount, and percentage complete. This is connected to the cost categories behind the job, so the request reflects the actual work and costs on the project rather than a rough estimate.
Step 4: Attach Documents and Lien Waivers
4Add your supporting documents and lien waiver details. Lenders commonly ask for proof the work is complete alongside lien waivers before releasing funds — gathering these before you submit, not after the bank asks, is what keeps a draw moving.
Step 5: Review and Send
5Review the request for accuracy, then send it. A complete, well-documented request is what moves through a lender's review fastest — double-check the amount and percentage complete against the actual work before it goes out.
Want the Background First?
If you want the fuller picture of how draws work before you build your first one — typical draw schedules, what banks look for, and why requests get delayed — read our guide on the bank draw process for home builders.
Ready to build your first draw request?
Log in and start it from your project — the details you've already entered are waiting for you.
What information does a draw request need in Smart Builder 360?
A draw request is built from the milestone, the requested amount, percentage complete, and the cost breakdown behind the job, plus supporting documents and lien waiver details.
Do I need to re-enter project information for each draw request?
No. The draw request pulls from the project record, schedule, and cost information already in the system, so you're not recreating the job's numbers from scratch every time a milestone is reached.
What should I have ready before submitting my first draw request?
Have the completed milestone confirmed, an accurate percentage complete, and your supporting documents and lien waivers gathered. Missing or incomplete documentation is the most common reason draw requests get sent back.
Can I use this workflow for every draw on the project, not just the first?
Yes. The same workflow applies at every milestone, and it's especially useful once you have more than one active job, since each draw follows the same repeatable steps.
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