Cash flow kills more contracting businesses than lack of work. If you're fronting materials and waiting weeks for checks, the problem usually isn't your customers — it's how you bill. Here's how to get paid faster without being the bad guy.
A deposit (commonly 25–50% on larger jobs) covers your material order and confirms the customer is serious. Make it a standard part of every quote, not an awkward ask — when it's on the estimate, it's just how you do business.
Don't wait until the punch list to get paid on a multi-week job. Structure the contract with draws — deposit, a payment at a milestone like dry-in or rough-in, and the balance at completion. You keep cash flowing and reduce the risk of a big unpaid balance at the end.
Every extra step between 'job done' and 'customer pays' is a delay. A pay link the customer can tap and settle by card or digital wallet on the spot gets you paid in minutes instead of waiting on a mailed check. The small processing fee is almost always cheaper than weeks of float.
State payment terms on every quote and invoice — when payment is due, accepted methods, and any late policy. Clear expectations up front prevent the 'I thought I had 30 days' conversation later.
Send the invoice the day you finish, not at the end of the month. The job is fresh in the customer's mind and the value is obvious. Every day you wait to invoice is a day added to when you get paid.
It varies by trade and job size, but 25–50% is common on larger jobs to cover materials. Some states cap residential deposits, so check local rules.
Usually yes — the fee (often around 3%) is typically far cheaper than weeks of waiting on a check, and offering cards closes more jobs. Reserve ACH for very large balances where the percentage adds up.
A pay link they can open on their phone and settle by card or digital wallet on the spot — no check, no bank trip, money in your account in minutes.