You run a small construction company. Your team has been working tirelessly on the latest project completing it on schedule. However, despite your hard work, you find yourself in a temporary cash-flow crunch – that tough time between project completion and getting paid.

After some research, you determine that invoice factoring looks to be the quickest solution. You need to find a company to work with. But will they work with construction businesses like yours? If they do, what do you need to know? What questions do you not even know to ask? Who can you trust? We will be answering these and many other common questions people need to understand when assessing and picking the best factoring company for construction businesses.

In this article, we will cover all topics giving you the tools to help you choose the best factoring company for your construction business. We will answer the following:

What is Factoring and How Does It Work?
Who Benefits Most Using Factoring?
Why Do Construction Businesses Use Factoring?
What Industries Do Factoring Companies Serve?
What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Factoring Company?
How Does A Factoring Company Make Money?
What Are the Other Fees and Costs?
How is A Factoring Company Different From A Bank/Traditional Lender?
What Documents Do Factoring Companies Need?
Can I Have Two Factoring Companies?
Do Factoring Companies Report to Credit Bureaus?
Are Factoring Companies Legal?
Are Factoring Companies Regulated and Licensed?
Is Factoring Income Taxable? Can You Write Off Factoring Fees?
Do Factoring Companies Send Out a 1099?
What Do I Need to Know to Pick the Right Factoring Company?
What Other Services Are Offered by Factoring Companies?
Who Are the Best Factoring Companies for Construction?
How Do I Know I Can Trust A Factoring Company?
Is It Important to Use a Large Factoring Company?
What Is A Factoring Agent?
How Are They Paid?
Factoring Examples of Good Fit


What is Factoring and How Does It Work?

Before diving into the unique specifics of factoring in the construction industry, let’s be clear about what factoring companies do. A factoring company, or “Factor”, provides temporary working capital by purchasing one or multiple outstanding invoices (accounts receivable) at a discounted rate. Here’s a common timeline of the process:

  • Application: A construction company applies to become a client.
  • Due Diligence: The Factor’s underwriting looks into the situation of both businesses – the construction company and their client. Typical examples are proof of business licenses and insurance, assessment of the creditworthiness of the invoiced customer, and timeliness of past payments. If all looks good, the business becomes an “official” client.
  • Invoice Submission: After completing work, the construction company submits its accounts receivable to the Factor.
  • Advance Payment: A majority of the invoice amount, typically around 70-90%, is sent to the construction business usually within a day or two.
  • Waiting and Collection: The factoring company collects the payments directly from the customer.
  • Final Payment: The remaining 10-30% balance is then sent back to the construction business, minus factoring fee(s).
The Invoice Factoring Process the 6 steps used by invoice factoring companies to fund businesses

Who Benefits Most from Factoring?

Though businesses of any size or age can use factoring, typical businesses that most often benefit from factoring fit within these general categories:

  • Startups: These businesses have not yet built the long-term credit history that banks require.
  • Limited or Less-than-perfect Credit: Because factoring looks at the client’s credit history and not solely the requesting company’s credit, it can be a great fit for construction companies with “issues”.
  • Businesses with Irregular or Seasonal Revenue Streams: The lack of predictable cash flow in industries like trucking, construction, or janitorial scares banks, but fits within a factoring company’s model.
  • Companies Experiencing Rapid Growth: Not being able to keep up with payments due to growth can be helped by factoring.

Why Would Construction Businesses Use Factoring?

There are many compelling reasons construction companies turn to factoring companies for cash:

  • Cash Flow Support: Factoring companies provide almost immediate access to working capital, improving liquidity for day-to-day operations.
  • Stopgap Working Capital: It allows businesses to reinvest in growth, pay suppliers, purchase materials and inventory, and cover operating expenses.
  • Debt-free Funding: Unlike loans, factoring doesn’t show up as debt on the balance sheet.
  • Credit Risk Mitigation: Factoring companies help shoulder the risk in the event of customer non-payment.
  • Faster funding: Receiving factoring money from factoring companies can happen much faster than traditional financing outlets (as little as 12-24 hours after becoming a client.)
  • Easier Approval: With less stringent requirements and fewer checks than by banks, approval by the factoring company is much easier.

What Are Some Disadvantages of Factoring?

While factoring offers numerous advantages for construction companies, it’s smart to be aware of the potential drawbacks. A few to take into consideration are:

  • Cost: Factoring companies charge higher rates than loans from traditional lenders like banks.
  • Business Suitability: Factoring may not be ideal for very low-profit margin businesses.
  • Factor/Business Relationships: If not clearly communicated with their clients, businesses could introduce “awkward” customer relationships when the factoring company takes over an invoice.

How Does a Factoring Company Make Money?

As with any business, factoring companies need to make money to survive. They do this by charging fees, most often as a percentage of the factored invoice amount. The standard flat rate usually runs between 2 and 6 percent. Other factoring companies have a sliding fee scale that depends on such factors as the invoice’s dollar amount, the business’s industry, or the creditworthiness of their customers.

What Are the Other Fees, Charges, and Penalties?

Though not all, some factoring companies will add additional fees on top of the standard factoring percentage fee. These would include:

  • Application or Discount fees: an upfront fee for starting the factoring process.
  • Service fee: a monthly or weekly fee for managing collections and credit checks.
  • Closing fee: a monthly or weekly fee for miscellaneous, company-determined usages.
  • ACH or Wire Transfer fees: a fee for electronically transferring money between bank accounts.
  • Monthly minimum fees: a fee added to make up the difference when the company has committed to a certain number of monthly invoices but does not meet the agreed-upon minimum.

You might see some, all, or none of these fees added to the base factoring fee. However, there should never be fees that are “hidden”. Factoring companies should be very clear about all fees disclosing each one well in advance of you both entering into any agreements.q

How is a Factoring Company Different from a Bank or Other Traditional Lender?

Banks and factoring companies are very different primarily because factoring is a completely different financial concept than a bank loan. The most obvious differences (advantages) that factoring has are:

  • Speed: Factoring approvals and funding are faster because there are fewer in-depth checks as compared to a bank’s.
  • No Debt: Because the invoice is sold, factoring doesn’t add debt to the company’s balance sheet. Obviously this is not the case when taking out a loan.
  • Collateral: Factoring uses the future payment amount of the invoice accounts receivable as its collateral. Banks use other sources as collateral.
  • Credit Approval: While your business’s credit is essential when applying for traditional bank loans or lines of credit, factoring companies focus primarily on the creditworthiness of the invoiced client. If they have a history of paying invoices reliably, the chances of approval greatly increases.
    Keep in mind that some factoring companies also include a credit check on the business applying for factoring money as part of the initial assessment. Although not usually about creditworthiness, this check is used to determine the general “health” of the company in the hopes of minimizing future issues.

Please note that banking and factoring are not always 100% exclusive. There are banks that also offer factoring as an addition solution to their traditional financial services.

>> RELATED READING: Factoring vs. Bank Loans — A Head-to-Head Comparison

What Documents Do Construction Companies Need to Supply?

Because not all factoring companies are the same, their paperwork requests will also differ. But here is a general idea of what you might be asked to send when starting work with a factoring company:

The “pre-client” assessment paperwork

  • Basic Personal ID
  • Business Licenses, Articles of Incorporation, Tax ID Number, or other documents that prove that you are a business
  • Proof of Insurances
  • Balance Sheets
  • P&Ls

These documents help give factoring companies an overall indication of the construction business’s health and past work history. After all, the last thing the factoring company wants to see is not completing work or delivering products. These things would keep the Factor from being paid on the invoice they purchased.

As part of the “trust building” assessment, some factoring companies might ask for other documents such as past tax returns (for you and/or the company),

Factoring Application paperwork

  • An Accounts Receivable/Payable Aging Report
  • Client Information: Documents about the company responsible for paying the invoices
    • Primary contact information
    • Company information (for credit check)
  • Invoices: Copies of the invoices you want to factor
  • Proof of Delivery: Proof that the products or services have been delivered

Of course, all factoring companies are different and may request additional (or fewer documents) based on their specific requirements.

Can I Have Two Factoring Companies?

While it’s possible to work with multiple factoring companies simultaneously, it can become confusing and will involve coordination to prevent double financing of the same invoices. If you want to work with multiple factoring companies, be sure to communicate with both in advance. Spot factoring, factoring single invoices rather than a complete book of invoices, will help keep things less complicated if this is something you are trying to accomplish.

It is worth noting, most factoring companies will not work with you if they know you are currently also working with another company for the reasons mentioned above.

Do Factoring Companies Report to Credit Bureaus?

No, not usually. This is because they make their determination to offer factoring based on your customer’s creditworthiness, not your business’s. So, unless they do a hard pull of your credit as part of their onboarding process, factoring generally doesn’t impact your business’s credit score.

Yes, most factoring companies are legal entities that provide a legitimate financial service: factoring. But as with any industry, there have been companies that have used questionable, even illegal tactics. Rest assured, these companies are quickly spotted and stopped.

Are Factoring Companies Regulated? Are They Licensed?

Because they are not lending money factoring companies are not held to the same regulations as traditional lenders. However, they may still need to comply with specific state and federal laws related to finance and debt collection. And, when they are licensed, it helps ensure legal compliance and of course ethical practices.

Is Factoring Income Taxable? Can You Write Off Factoring Fees?

The income received from factoring is generally considered taxable for your business. However, you can typically deduct factoring fees as a business expense. It’s best to talk with your financial advisor or tax professional for details specific to your state.

Do Factoring Companies Send Out a 1099?

In the United States, factoring companies are not required to issue Form 1099 to businesses. It is a good idea to add this question to the list of questions you ask when assessing companies. If you are working with a Factor that doesn’t send them, it is even more important than ever to keep accurate records of all factored income for tax purposes.

>> RELATED READING: Taxes and Factoring – What You Need to Know

What Do I Need to Know to Pick the Right Factoring Company?

According to industry researcher IbisWorld, there are currently 353 factoring companies in the US. With all these unique choices, trying to pick the best factoring company for your business can be tough. Keep the following questions in mind when assessing:

  • Reputation: Do they have favorable online reviews and a positive Better Business Bureau rating?
  • Experience: How long has the factoring company been offering factoring? Do they have years of experience or are they still learning the factoring business?
  • Industry Experience: Does the factoring company have expertise in your unique industry? And if so, how long?
  • Customer Service: Do they have high-quality customer support? Was your call answered quickly by a real person or did you have to go through layers of automation? Did your contact clearly explain how factoring works, and its pros and cons as it relates to your situation?
  • Rates and Fees: Was their fee structure clearly communicated and easy to understand?
  • Contract Terms: Were their terms and conditions clearly stated in the agreement?
  • Additional Services: Do they offer other support services besides factoring?

What Other Services Are Offered by Factoring Companies?

In addition to invoice factoring, some factoring companies offer related services especially when the company focuses financing to specific industries. Some examples include:

  • Purchase Order Financing: Funding to cover the cost of fulfilling large orders.
  • Asset-Based Lending: Securing a loan against assets like inventory or equipment.
  • Credit Insurance: Protection against non-payment by customers.
  • Lien Monitoring: Assessment and monitoring of lien rights associated with the company.

So, Who is the Best Factoring Company?

The better question to ask is “Who is the best factoring company FOR MY CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS?” Determining the optimal factoring company depends on your company’s specific business needs, the invoice dollar amount, and the creditworthiness of your client.

In addition to those, another consideration is working with factoring companies that focus on construction vs. “one size fits all” companies. Focusing can allow them to better tailor or offer additional, construction-related services. For instance, a construction-specific Factor might suggest additional services like Material Purchasing (the pre-purchasing of materials) as an addition to, or even as an alternative to, factoring. Only by being in the industry would they fully understand that problems like material purchases are a major contributing factor to a construction company’s cash flow issues.

How Do I Know I Can Trust The Factoring Company?

You’ve researched and found many companies. You have an idea of their fees and list of add-on services. But the nagging thought might center around one basic question: “How do I know if the factoring company is trustworthy?” While there is no single indicator of trustworthiness, many small clues can help you gauge. Start by visiting a factoring company’s Better Business Bureau page. It should quickly give you an idea if this is a company you should be working with.

Being a member of industry and trade associations is another good indicator of current viability. The company will need to be in good standing as membership of these groups.

Look for proof of awards and industry affiliations can help you determine the best factoring company for your needs.
While you are on the factor’s website, industry awards are always good to see. The company’s awards and industry affiliations should be prominently displayed on its website.

Length of time in business can be another indicator. After all, if the factoring company wasn’t trustworthy, it wouldn’t have been around for 2, 4, or even 26 years.

Of course, you can always ask around. Word-of-mouth is always a good indicator. Reading the reviews, like on their Google profile, should quickly give you an idea of how they treated their customers in the past.

You might be tempted to take the word of 3rd party websites’ “top/best factoring companies” lists. Be aware that not all these sites are impartial — getting on their list might be a paid position, so don’t base your entire decision on them.

I Can’t Decide. Should I Just Pick the Largest Factoring Company?

Today, being a larger factoring company does not necessarily offer advantages like it did in the past. Larger firms might offer larger funding amounts, while smaller ones focus on specialized knowledge, personalized service, and industry-focused advantages. Fit, not size, should be your number one deciding factor.

Is There Factoring Agents That Can Help Me with Factoring?

Yes, you might be able to use a broker. A factoring broker or factoring agent is a professional who connects businesses with factoring companies. These agents often have extensive knowledge of the factoring industry and can steer you to construction-focused factoring companies. Their legwork of narrowing down choices can help streamline the overall process.

Keep in mind when using a factoring agent there is a possibility that they will steer you toward Factors that pay them the highest commissions vs being the best fit for you. Just be aware and ask lots of questions.

How Are Factoring Agents Paid?

Factoring agents are usually paid by the factoring company, not the client and their rates are typically a flat fee or percent of the overall factoring fee.

Examples of Good “Fit” — The Benefits of a Construction Factoring Company

Because much of this article talks in generalities, it is helpful to illustrate using real-world examples. Of course, we can’t talk for other factoring companies, but we can give examples of success stories from the 25+ years we’ve been offering construction invoice factoring – how working with a factoring company that is a perfect fit, can really take off the financial handcuffs of a business.

Example 1: Concrete Subcontractor Lost Their Long-Time Funding Partner

A masonry and concrete subcontractor from Atlanta, GA came to us when his funding dried up. The bank he consistently used decided that funding the construction industry was becoming “too risky” and stopped funding. This left him unable to pay for his materials bill. Working with a factoring company that specializes in construction financing, meant he was not only able to pay for the materials for this project but also would not lose future funding due to his industry.

Example 2: Company Needing an Out-of-state Equipment Lease

This Excavation company took on a project by an out-of-state client and needed to lease equipment locally. Because the local leasing firm did not have any history with our client, they wanted payment upon delivery. CapitalPlus provided the leasing firm with assurance of payment, allowing the leasing company to provide 45-day terms. We quickly funded each monthly invoice and directly paid off the equipment lease totaling $92,000.

Example 3: A Contractor’s Lack of Established Credit

This Florida-based concrete contractor had an opportunity to take on a large contract and needed working capital. However, even with decades of experience as a business owner, banks were unwilling to offer him a business line of credit because his new company had only been in business for less than a year. CapitalPlus conducted due diligence, became comfortable with their debtor, and offered them $1,400,000 in factoring funds.

In conclusion…

When looking for the best factoring company for your construction business, knowledge is your most valuable tool. This comprehensive post offers you an insider’s look into how factoring works, its benefits, and how to assess a provider that best fits your construction business’s needs. Don’t let cash flow challenges slow you down. Reach out to our experts now for a personalized consultation and take the first step towards financial flexibility and growth.

Learn how CapitalPlus can help your business. Pick your specific construction focus to get started!

Industry Dropdown Lead-in

Curt Powell VP of Sales

About the Author:
Curt Powell — Executive Vice President
Joining the team in 2016, Curt serves as Executive VP at CapitalPlus Financial Services, a direct lender based in Knoxville, Tennessee focusing exclusively on the construction industry. During that time he has guided thousands of contractors, subcontractors and business owners through the financing options to find the best solution for their unique needs.

Curt is a member of The International Factoring Association, The Association of General Contractors, and the Construction Financial Management Association.

CapitalPlus was established in 1998 providing over $1 billion in factoring funds empowering thousands of construction companies all over the US.

International Factoring Association

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