News & updates
Guides and updates for construction trades, on cashflow, payment and getting paid.
Five ways subcontractors can improve cashflow
You can be busy, profitable on paper and still run out of money waiting to be paid. Five practical ways to keep cash moving.
Invoice finance jargon explained: confidential, disclosed, recourse and non-recourse
Two pairs of terms cause most of the confusion in invoice finance. Once you understand them, comparing facilities gets much easier.
Common forms of construction contract, and what to look out for
JCT, NEC and bespoke sub-contracts each carry their own traps. A plain-English tour of the main forms and the clauses that catch subcontractors out.
The VAT domestic reverse charge for construction, explained
Since March 2021, most construction businesses no longer charge VAT to each other in the usual way. Here is what the reverse charge means, and its cashflow catch.
CIS deductions explained
Under the Construction Industry Scheme, contractors deduct money from your payments and pass it to HMRC. Here is how it works, and what it applies to.
Retentions in construction, and how to get them released
Retention is money you have earned but cannot yet have. It is one of the biggest drags on subcontractor cashflow. Here is how to protect yours.
The Construction Act explained: payment notices, pay-less notices and the right to suspend
The Construction Act gives subcontractors firm payment rights that override a harsh contract. Here are the parts that matter most.
Applications for payment vs invoices: how payment works in construction
In construction, the date you get paid is set by the contract, not your invoice. Understanding applications for payment protects your cashflow and your rights.
Your rights on late payment: the law explained
When a business customer pays late, the law gives you a right to interest and compensation. Most suppliers never claim it. Here is what you are owed.
The real cost of business finance: fees, commission and effective rates
The quoted rate is rarely the real cost. Here is how to see past the headline figure and work out what a finance facility will actually cost you.
Invoice factoring vs invoice discounting: what is the difference?
Factoring and discounting both turn unpaid invoices into cash, but they work very differently. Here is how to tell them apart, and where flexible single-invoice finance fits in.