We know payments can be one of the biggest pain points for contractors. Here’s how Bolster solves the most common challenges around cash flow, client trust, and admin headaches.
Cash flow stability
No more waiting until the end of a project to get paid. With Bolster, money flows in as work progresses—fast, frequent, and reliable. That means you can:
- Run more projects at once without cash strain
- Avoid debt or financing jobs for your customers
- Never chase checks or wait on long bank clearing times
- Always get paid as work is completed
Reduced payment risk
- You’re never left completing work without payment
- Homeowners aren’t pressured to pay everything upfront
- Both sides are protected, reducing disputes and risk of non-payment
Customer trust & transparency
Homeowners can see exactly what they’re paying for at each stage on our client portal, which:
- Builds confidence and trust
- Keeps them in the loop
- Makes payments faster and smoother
- Creates a professional experience that impresses clients
Simplified financial tracking
Payment requests automatically generate records (invoices), keeping both contractors and homeowners aligned on Bolster. You can auto-reconcile your accounts with Bolster's QuickBooks integration.
- No messy PDFs or scattered invoices
- No double work, manual coding, or entry
- Hours saved on bookkeeping and reconciliations
- Both you and your customers stay aligned financially
Bolster Payments protects your cash flow, reduces risk, builds customer trust, and eliminates financial admin headaches.
How does Bolster help with cash flow?
Instead of waiting until the end of a project to get paid, money flows in as work progresses—fast, frequent, and reliable. That means:
- Get paid more often, settle cash faster
- Take on more projects at the same time
- Avoid debt or financing jobs for your customers
Always get paid as work gets completed
Does Bolster Payments save me time and stress?
Absolutely. Contractors save hours every week:
- No trips to the bank
- No chasing checks
- No manual QuickBooks entry
- Automated records and reminders
- The process is simple: tick off tasks → send payment requests → client approves & pays → keep the project moving.
Can I bill on a cycle that matches my expenses?
Yes. You can structure payments to align with your expense cycles (e.g., labor, materials, subcontractors). This keeps money coming in right when you need it, making cash flow more predictable.
What about payment holdbacks from clients during the project?
With Bolster, clients can’t hold up your entire project when payment is due.
- Once a task is completed and approved, a payment request is sent.
- If a client disputes a single component, that payment can be skipped while the rest of the project continues.
- This prevents “hostage payments” and keeps cash flowing.
Why not just use QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is excellent accounting software, but it’s not a payment experience. Bolster payments give homeowners confidence, make collections easier, and still sync automatically into QuickBooks Online—no double entry, no manual coding, no lost hours.
Why not just send invoices?
We call them payment requests, but they’re smarter than invoices. Bolster ties payments directly to work completed, so both sides know exactly what’s being paid for—and when.
I need receipts and invoices for accounting—can I still get those?
Yes. Every payment request automatically generates a record (invoice). Both you and your customer get a clear digital trail. With QuickBooks Online integration, everything is reconciled automatically—no messy PDFs, no manual data entry.
Can I still collect deposits?
Yes. You can request an initial deposit for materials etc., then create follow-up payments tied to project progress. Bolster gives you flexibility while still protecting your cash flow.
Will I lose control over payments with automation?
Not at all. Bolster automates the admin (requests, reminders, accounting sync), but you’re still in control. You decide when and how to request each payment.
What if my clients won’t be comfortable with this?
Homeowners actually prefer Bolster. They get their own portal where they can:
- See what they’ve paid for
- Track what’s still outstanding
- Understand exactly where their money is going
- This transparency builds trust, reduces disputes, and speeds up payments.
Are the fees too high?
Bolster’s fees are competitive with industry standards. Think about the time saved having to collect & process checks. Faster payments and reduced risk mean you avoid costly financing or cash flow gaps.
What fees for smaller payments?
While ACH / EFT / Card payments carry a per-transaction fee, the trade-off is steady, reliable cash flow. Frequent payments protect you from risk, and the cost is far outweighed by the benefit of not carrying project financing.
Does Bolster support partial-item payments?
Yes. You can mark off and request payment for specific tasks or items. This keeps money flowing in sync with visible progress and avoids bottlenecks.
Do customers actually want to pay more frequently?
Yes. Homeowners prefer smaller, predictable payments. It feels safer and easier—similar to a mortgage or car payment. For you, it means steady cash flow and fewer uncomfortable payment conversations.
With Bolster, you get cash flow stability, reduced payment risk, happier clients, and hours of admin saved every week.