How to Get Paid Faster as a Contractor: 7 Proven Strategies

Late payments are killing contractor businesses. According to recent studies, the average contractor waits 83 days to get paid — that's nearly three months of chasing money instead of doing what you do best.

But here's the thing: some contractors consistently get paid within a week. What's their secret? It's not luck. It's strategy.

After talking to hundreds of successful plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, and general contractors, we've identified the 7 strategies that actually work to get you paid faster.

1. Invoice Immediately — Not "Later"

The single biggest mistake contractors make? Waiting to invoice. You finish a job on Tuesday, think "I'll send the invoice this weekend," and suddenly it's three weeks later.

The data is clear: Invoices sent within 24 hours of job completion get paid 1.5x faster than those sent a week later. Why? The work is fresh in the client's mind, they're still feeling the relief of a fixed problem, and they haven't mentally "moved on."

2. Make Payment Stupidly Easy

Every barrier between your client and payment is costing you days. "Mail me a check" adds a week. "Transfer to this bank account" adds confusion.

The contractors who get paid fastest offer multiple payment options:

• Digital payments (Venmo, PayPal, Zelle) — instant and familiar
• Credit card — people pay faster when they can use rewards
• QR codes on invoices — one scan, done
• Payment links in text messages — meet them where they are

Yes, payment processors take a small fee (typically 2-3%). But getting paid in 2 days instead of 30? That's worth way more than 3%.

3. Set Clear Payment Terms (And Stick to Them)

Vague terms = vague payment timelines. "Due upon receipt" means different things to different people. Some think that means "whenever I get around to it."

Successful contractors use specific terms:

• "Due within 7 days" — clear, reasonable, professional
• "2% discount if paid within 48 hours" — incentivizes fast payment
• "Net 14" — industry standard that clients understand

4. Collect Deposits on Bigger Jobs

For any job over $500, you should be collecting a deposit. Period. This isn't about trust — it's about commitment.

Standard deposit structures that work:

• 50% upfront, 50% on completion — simple and fair
• Materials cost upfront, labor on completion — protects you from material costs
• 1/3 deposit, 1/3 midpoint, 1/3 completion — for larger projects

Clients who pay a deposit are 3x more likely to pay the balance promptly. They're invested.

5. Send Professional Invoices (Not Handwritten Notes)

This one hurts to say, but it needs to be said: that handwritten invoice on a carbon copy pad is costing you money.

Professional invoices get paid faster because:

• They're taken more seriously
• They're easier to process (especially for businesses)
• They include all necessary details (no back-and-forth)
• They make you look like an established business, not a side hustle

"When I switched from handwritten invoices to professional PDFs, my average payment time dropped from 3 weeks to 5 days. Clients started treating me differently." — Mike R., Plumber

6. Follow Up Like a Professional

Most contractors either never follow up (and hope for the best) or follow up too aggressively (and damage the relationship). There's a middle ground.

The perfect follow-up sequence:

1. Day 1: Send invoice with "thank you for your business" message
2. Day 5: Friendly reminder: "Just making sure you received the invoice"
3. Day 10: Direct follow-up: "Invoice #123 is now overdue — please let me know if you have questions"
4. Day 14: Phone call (voice cuts through inbox clutter)

Keep records of every follow-up. Most payment disputes happen because of miscommunication, not malice.

7. Know When to Fire Clients

Some clients will never pay on time. They'll always have excuses. They'll always need "just a few more days."

These clients cost you more than they're worth:

• Time spent chasing payments
• Mental energy and stress
• Cash flow disruptions
• Opportunity cost (you could be serving better clients)

Red flags to watch for:

• Disputing charges after work is complete
• Always asking for discounts
• Taking more than 30 days to pay (repeatedly)
• Not responding to invoices

It's better to have 20 clients who pay on time than 30 clients where you're constantly chasing 10 of them.

The Bottom Line

Getting paid faster isn't about being pushy or aggressive. It's about being professional, clear, and making it easy for good clients to pay you.

Start with the basics:

1. Invoice immediately (from the job site if possible)
2. Offer multiple payment options
3. Set clear terms
4. Follow up systematically

Do these four things consistently, and you'll see your average payment time drop dramatically. More cash in your pocket, less time chasing invoices, more time doing what you actually love.