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Why You Should Get Paid Before Paying Subcontractors


Introduction: In the construction industry, maintaining healthy cash flow is critical for the success and stability of your business. One effective strategy to achieve this is ensuring you get paid by your homeowner client before paying your subcontractors. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons behind this practice and provide insights from our recent video with Jon Markee, your Builder CPA, on how to implement it effectively.

Maintain Healthy Cash Flow: Ensuring that you get paid before paying your subcontractors is crucial for maintaining a positive cash flow. Positive cash flow allows you to cover your expenses, invest in new projects, and sustain your business operations without relying heavily on lines of credit. This practice helps prevent situations where you're squeezed financially because your homeowner hasn't paid yet.

Mitigate Financial Risk: By securing payments from clients before paying subcontractors, you reduce the financial risk to your business. If a client fails to pay or delays payment, you won't be out of pocket, and you can avoid cash crunches that could jeopardize your ability to meet your obligations or remain in business. Most businesses fail not because they are unprofitable, but because of cash flow issues.

Strengthen Negotiating Position: Having cash in hand from your clients puts you in a stronger position to negotiate favorable terms with your subcontractors. You’re not desperate, allowing you to negotiate better pricing, more flexible payment schedules, and improved working relationships. This financial leverage can lead to better deals and a more stable business.

Build Trust with Subcontractors: Consistently paying your subcontractors on time helps build trust and a good reputation. Reliable payment practices encourage subcontractors to prioritize your projects and provide high-quality work, knowing they can count on timely payments. The only way to ensure timely payments is by having received payments from your homeowner first.

Ensure Financial Stability and Growth: Ensuring payments are received before paying subcontractors contributes to the overall financial stability of your business. It enables you to plan and allocate resources effectively, supporting sustainable growth and reducing the likelihood of financial distress. This proactive approach helps maintain a solid financial foundation for your business.

Conclusion: Implementing a practice that ensures you get paid by your homeowner client before paying your subcontractors is essential for maintaining healthy cash flow, mitigating financial risk, and ensuring overall financial stability. For more insights, watch our latest video where Jon Markee, your Builder CPA, discusses these important points in detail.


By following these strategies, you can safeguard your business from financial distress and ensure long-term success in the construction industry.

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