If you’re a contractor, you know the drill: the job’s done, the customer’s happy, but the check? Still waiting. Late payments are the #1 cash flow killer for small trades businesses. Here are five strategies that actually work.

1. Send the Invoice Immediately

The longer you wait to invoice, the longer you wait to get paid. Period.

Most contractors wait days — sometimes weeks — after completing a job to send an invoice. By then, the customer has moved on mentally. The urgency is gone.

The fix: Send the invoice within minutes of completing the job, right from your phone. With tools like Crew Rivet, you can generate and text an invoice with a payment link before you’ve even loaded up the truck.

2. Make It Easy to Pay

If your customer has to write a check, find a stamp, and mail it — you’re adding friction. Every extra step delays payment.

The fix: Include a one-tap payment link in every invoice. Accept credit cards and ACH bank transfers. Crew Rivet invoices include a Stripe-powered payment link that works on any phone — customers tap, pay, done.

3. Set Up Automatic Reminders

You shouldn’t have to chase people. Your software should do it for you.

The fix: Automated payment reminders at day 3, 7, 14, and 30. Each reminder is a polite, professional text message with the payment link attached. No awkward phone calls required.

4. Offer Payment Plans for Big Jobs

A $5,000 invoice can feel overwhelming. But $500/month for 10 months? That’s manageable.

The fix: Offer installment payment plans right on the invoice. The customer commits to a schedule, and automatic reminders keep them on track. You get predictable cash flow; they get affordability.

5. Get Digital Signatures on Quotes

When customers sign your quote digitally, they’ve committed. There’s a psychological contract. Disputes drop, ghosting drops, and payment speed increases.

The fix: Send Good-Better-Best quotes with digital signature capture. The customer picks their tier, signs on their phone, and the quote converts to a job with one click.

The Bottom Line

Getting paid faster isn’t about being aggressive — it’s about removing friction. Make it easy to pay, make it hard to forget, and make the commitment clear from the start.

Ready to stop chasing payments? Start your free 60-day trial — no credit card required.

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