Construction Invoice Factoring: Get Paid in 48 Hours Instead of 90 Days

Stop financing your GC's cash flow at your expense. Factor construction and contractor invoices for 80–90% of face value within 48 hours. No debt. No waiting.

Reviewed by MFE Funding Team | Updated March 2026

48hr
Invoice Advance Speed
90%
Max Advance Rate
2–5%
Typical Factoring Fee
No
Debt Added

TL;DR — Construction Invoice Factoring at a Glance

  • Sell unpaid construction invoices and receive 80–90% of value in 24–48 hours
  • Not a loan — no debt added to your balance sheet
  • Works for general contractors, subcontractors, and specialty trade contractors
  • Factoring fees: 2–5% of invoice value depending on client and terms
  • Solves the net-30/60/90 payment delay problem at the source
  • Account setup in 1–3 days; repeat advances in 24–48 hours

The Net-30/60/90 Problem That Drains Construction Cash Flow

Construction is fundamentally a business of delayed payment. A subcontractor might complete electrical rough-in on a commercial project in January, submit their application for payment to the GC on February 1, and — if everything goes smoothly — receive payment sometime in March or April. That is two to three months of performed work sitting as an uncollected receivable on the contractor's books.

During those two or three months, the contractor's obligations do not pause. Payroll continues weekly. Material suppliers expect payment within 30 days. Equipment leases, insurance, fuel, and overhead continue on schedule. The result is a predictable cash gap that has nothing to do with the contractor's profitability or skill — it is structural to how the construction payment chain is organized.

Construction invoice factoring addresses this problem at the source. Rather than borrowing money to cover the gap and repaying it later, contractors using factoring are simply converting an asset they already own — a legitimate, completed invoice — into cash immediately. The factoring company collects from the GC or owner on the original terms. The contractor gets paid in days, not months.

How Construction Invoice Factoring Works: Step by Step

1
Complete the Work and Issue the Invoice

Finish the contracted scope of work and submit your application for payment or invoice to the GC or project owner as normal. The invoice must be for completed, undisputed work.

2
Submit the Invoice to Merchant Fund Express

Upload the invoice and supporting documentation (lien waiver, work completion documentation) through our online portal or by email. First-time submissions include a brief account setup process.

3
Receive 80–90% Advance in 24–48 Hours

Once the invoice is verified, we advance 80–90% of the face value directly to your business bank account. No waiting on the GC's payment cycle.

4
We Collect from the GC or Owner

Merchant Fund Express contacts the GC or project owner and collects payment on the invoice per the original net terms. The GC pays us directly.

5
Receive the Reserve Balance Minus the Fee

When the GC pays the full invoice, we release the remaining 10–20% to you, minus our factoring fee (2–5% of the invoice value). You keep the rest.

What Types of Contractors Use Construction Invoice Factoring

Invoice factoring is used across every tier of the construction payment chain. Any contractor waiting on payment from a creditworthy client is a candidate for factoring:

  • Electrical contractors — waiting on GC draws for rough-in and finish work
  • Plumbing contractors — milestone payments tied to inspections
  • HVAC contractors — equipment delivery and installation billing gaps
  • Framing subcontractors — large material and labor invoices with slow GC payments
  • Roofing contractors — commercial projects with net-60 terms
  • Concrete contractors — large pours billed in phases with payment delays
  • Drywall and insulation contractors — high-volume residential and commercial billing
  • General contractors — factoring owner invoices while managing sub payments

Construction Invoice Factoring vs. Working Capital Loan: Which to Choose

Factor Invoice Factoring Working Capital Loan
How it worksSell your invoices, receive cash nowBorrow against revenue, repay over time
Adds debt to balance sheetNoYes
Collateral requiredThe invoices themselvesUsually none (unsecured)
Best forContractors with large unpaid receivablesBridging general cash flow gaps
Cost structureFee per invoice (2–5%)Factor rate on borrowed amount
Speed24–48 hours per invoice24–48 hours after approval
Credit score requirementBased on client creditworthinessMinimum 500

Many contractors use both: invoice factoring to accelerate receivables collection and working capital loans for specific cash needs not tied to outstanding invoices. The two products work well together and are not mutually exclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is construction invoice factoring?

Construction invoice factoring is a financing arrangement where a construction company or contractor sells its unpaid invoices to a factoring company at a small discount and receives the majority of the invoice value — typically 80–90% — within 24–48 hours rather than waiting 30, 60, or 90 days for the GC or owner to pay.

How much of my invoice value can I receive through construction factoring?

Most construction factoring arrangements advance 80–90% of the invoice face value immediately. The remaining 10–20%, minus the factoring fee (typically 2–5% of the invoice), is released when the GC or client pays the full invoice.

Does invoice factoring create debt for my construction company?

No. Invoice factoring is not a loan — it is the sale of an asset (your accounts receivable). It does not appear as debt on your balance sheet, does not require collateral beyond the invoices themselves, and does not affect your credit utilization ratio.

What types of construction invoices can be factored?

We factor invoices for completed work billed to creditworthy commercial clients including general contractors, property developers, municipalities, and commercial property owners. Residential homeowner invoices can also be factored depending on the client's creditworthiness.

Can subcontractors use invoice factoring?

Yes. Subcontractors are actually among the most common users of construction invoice factoring because they are most exposed to GC payment delays. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, roofing, and specialty trade contractors all commonly use invoice factoring to manage cash flow.

What is the factoring fee for construction invoices?

Factoring fees (also called discount rates) typically range from 2–5% of the invoice value, depending on the invoice size, the creditworthiness of the GC or client, and how quickly they pay. Larger invoices with creditworthy obligors typically qualify for lower rates.

How long does construction invoice factoring take?

Initial setup of a factoring account takes 1–3 business days. Once your account is established, individual invoice advances typically process within 24–48 hours of invoice submission and verification.

What is the difference between recourse and non-recourse construction factoring?

With recourse factoring, if the GC or client does not pay the invoice, you are responsible for buying it back. With non-recourse factoring, the factoring company absorbs the loss if the client doesn't pay due to financial insolvency. Non-recourse factoring typically carries slightly higher fees but provides greater protection against client default.

Factor Your Construction Invoices Today

Apply in 10 minutes. Account setup in 1–3 days. Invoice advances in 24–48 hours after that.

Start Factoring Now (305) 384-8391

Why Choose Merchant Fund Express

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