Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Admin
Small construction firms often hit a wall when it comes to securing capital through traditional loans. High-interest rates and stringent credit requirements are among the barriers that can stifle growth.
Luckily, there’s a wealth of untapped funding streams beyond the conventional bank loan that could spell progress for these businesses, so here’s a look at a few options to consider as you plan for the future fruition of your best-laid business plans.
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Getting Stuck Into Government Grants
Unlike loans, grants don’t require any form of repayment, making them a highly attractive option for eligible businesses. It’s just a case of knowing how to find them and apply for them effectively – so here’s an overview:
- Begin by researching local, state, and federal grant programs. Many are designed specifically to support construction projects that align with community development or innovation in building techniques. There are over 164 funding programs of this type out there, with in excess of $2 billion allocated to construction firms alone, so it’s a rich seam to mine if you’ve got the need and the time.
- Scrutinize the fine print to understand your eligibility. Some grants focus on minority-owned businesses or eco-friendly construction practices. The EPA’s site is a good starting point for the latter, and is particularly focused on green building projects – with both state and local-level opportunities covered.
- Crafting a successful grant application is an art, and this document should outline your project’s benefits clearly and concisely, typically demonstrating community impact or technological advancement. It all comes down to the fact that government grants fund businesses which make a positive contribution to the community in some way, and aren’t just putting together projects for pure profit.
The Small Business Administration points out that government grants have aided approximately 6 million small businesses in the past year – but many more never tap into this resource due to lack of awareness or application complexity, since there are over 33 million small businesses nationwide.
With diligence and strategic planning, small construction firms can potentially join this group of forward-building beneficiaries.
Adopting Credit Card Tactics for Immediate Needs
Credit cards can be a savvy lifeline for small construction firms, so long as they’re used responsibly and for the right reasons. Their primary benefit in this context is that they offer an accessible way to manage immediate expenses or serve as a bridge during temporary cash flow gaps.
Here’s how to wrangle them without making any missteps
- Use credit cards for day-to-day purchases or materials that turn into billable assets quickly. This keeps your cash reserve full for larger, less predictable expenses. There are tons of great options out there, including a range of credit cards from CitiBank, so you just need to know what’s a good fit for your firm.
- Optimize by selecting cards offering cashback or rewards on fuel, hardware stores, and other frequent business expenditures.
- Leverage introductory 0% APR periods judiciously but prepare a pay-off strategy to avoid high-interest rates when promotional periods expire.
A recent Forbes survey found that 29% of small businesses made use of credit cards to fund necessary purchases, while just 4.67% admitted to this being their main resource for capital expenditure in the early stages of starting a new enterprise.
For small construction firms, this financing method can mean the difference between faltering and finding a firmer footing in a market that is rarely stable.
When exploring funding avenues beyond traditional bank loans, it’s essential to consider all options available. For businesses like small construction firms that may face traditional loan hurdles, comprehensive 7(a) loan insights offer valuable perspectives on acquiring working capital with flexible terms tailored to various business needs.
Scrutinizing Invoice Financing as a Growth Ladder
Small construction firms, much like their larger counterparts, can find themselves with lots of invoices in play – and these are assets worth tapping into via a process known as invoice financing.
It’s basically a way of turning these IOUs into immediate working capital for better cash flow management, and it works like this:
- Factoring companies can advance up to 90% of the invoice value, typically within 24 hours.
- The emphasis here is on your clients’ creditworthiness, not yours, making it easier for newer firms to qualify.
- Unlike equity financing, you retain full ownership of your company – you’re simply leveraging outstanding invoices for liquidity.
While not for everyone, invoice financing is an interesting alternative to bank loans that could serve construction firms particularly well.
Final Thoughts
These three funding paths can be used in isolation or combined for maximum impact – it just depends on what kind of financial burdens your construction company is facing, and what kind of risk you’re willing to take.
Grants are the best option if you can afford to wait while applications are processed, while credit cards and invoice financing may plug gaps quicker, but come with rates and restrictions of their own.
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