All Contractor Funding Options

Funding options (by type)

Problem-based guides

Comparison guides

How to match your situation to the right option

The right funding option depends on what you need and when you need it. If the problem is payroll due before a draw arrives, contractor payroll funding or contractor working capital may fit. If you need to buy an excavator or skid steer, construction equipment financing is the right category. If you have recurring gaps—payroll float every few weeks, seasonal slowdowns—a contractor line of credit offers flexibility. If you have outstanding invoices from creditworthy clients, accounts receivable financing converts them to cash. If you need capital for expansion, acquisition, or commercial real estate, construction business loans provide term financing. Matching the product to the problem improves the fit and avoids using the wrong tool for the job.

The contractor cash flow cycle and why timing matters

Construction businesses face a structural timing mismatch. Labor is paid weekly or biweekly. Materials are often purchased before milestones. Mobilization costs hit at job start. Client payments may arrive 30, 60, or 90 days after invoice. Retainage holds 5–10% until project completion. The result: money goes out before money comes in. This is not a sign of poor management—it is how the industry works. Contractor financing exists to bridge that gap. Understanding the cycle helps you anticipate when you will need funding and which product fits. For a full overview, see contractor cash flow problems and the contractor cash flow guide.

Equipment-specific financing guides

Beyond general equipment financing, we have guides for specific equipment types: excavator financing for contractors, skid steer financing for contractors, dump truck financing for contractors, and used construction equipment financing. Each covers when that equipment type is financed, typical terms, and how it fits into your overall funding strategy. For equipment repair or replacement decisions, see contractor equipment breakdown funding.

Problem-based vs solution-based guides

Our guides are organized two ways. Solution-based (this page) lists funding options by type. Problem-based starts from the situation: how contractors pay workers before invoices clear, what to do when invoices are delayed, how to buy materials before getting paid, how to start jobs before payment. If you know your problem, the problem-based guides point you to the right solution. If you want to understand all options, this index provides the full picture.

More resources

• Contractor cash flow problems – Overview of timing gaps
• Contractor cash flow guide – How the cycle works
• Construction payment terms explained – Net-30, net-60, net-90, retainage
• Glossary – Key terms defined
• Service areas – Nationwide coverage
• Contractor financing by state – State-specific pages
• Explore funding options – Next steps

Frequently asked questions

What are all the contractor funding options?

Contractor funding options include working capital, construction equipment financing, contractor line of credit, contractor payroll funding, construction business loans, accounts receivable financing, material purchase financing, and invoice financing. Each fits different cash flow situations.