Construction Factoring

Perhaps no other major industry is better suited to factoring than the building and construction industry. For many years, the peaks and valleys of construction seasons and cycles have troubled subcontractors and general contractors alike. Now factoring offers a cost effective and simple solution that can benefit both the contractor and the factoring company. Many factoring companies have even gone for far as to specialize in factoring for the construction industry, learning the unique language and needs of subcontractors.

Generally, banks and construction subcontractors don't get along with each other. Construction is a risky business and banks are only interested in safe, reliable clients. If the contractor is new and growing, or does not have several years of positive cash flow, banks won't even let the contractor in the door let alone give them a business loan.

There are many reasons why construction is so financially volatile, but one of the main reasons is the time delays and cost overruns; that are almost a given in construction. You almost never ever hear of a building being completed on time and under budget. The architect and client inevitably change the plans along the way, causing increased costs and construction delays. If you are the plumbing subcontractor for the new town school and the local school board decides to change the plans after it is started, you truly have no idea when you will get paid. In the mean time, the plumbers that work for you are expecting to be paid weekly - and you are expected to order and have on hand all plumbing materials needed for the school. The bank won't help the plumber, but factoring companies are perfectly suited to this situation. By purchasing the plumbing subcontractors accounts receivable, for a small factoring fee, the subcontractor can continue on with their business. Both the construction subcontractor and the factoring company benefit.

Another problem with the construction industry is the scope and number of projects that can be handled at one time. Building a building is a big deal. A contractor simple can't take on more than a small hand full of projects at a time. And buildings are expensive. Contractors don't have the resources to take on more than a couple projects at a time. Most other industries don't have this problem. For example, a company that builds and sells vacuum cleaners can make thousands of vacuums every day, with only a small amount of the companies' resources and capitol invested in each individual vacuum. After a while, cash flow evens out and business is relatively steady. Construction companies can't do that. If problems with a project get to be too much for the poor plumbing company, they may have to go out of business. On the other hand if Mrs. Jones has trouble with her vacuum cleaner, the vacuum company can easily replace it without having to go out of business. Again, the bank won't help the plumbing company but factoring companies are designed to handle just this type of ebb and flow in construction.

Factoring companies can't change the nature of construction. Construction will always be subject to massive peaks and valleys and each project will be a huge investment of resources and capitol for contractors. Because of this, the factoring fees tend to be a little higher than with other industries - for example 3 or 4 percent versus 1 or 2 percent. And the amount withheld to cover disputes is usually closer to 25 percent rather than 15 percent. But for the construction subcontractor, this is usually a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing they won't have to file for bankruptcy.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Factoring