What this page helps you decide
Winning a project can increase cash pressure before it increases cash. Mobilization requires crews, materials, equipment movement, insurance, permits, and subcontractor deposits while the first billing remains weeks away.
Options to compare before applying
| Option | Best aligned with | Typical process | Watch closely |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital | Mixed mobilization costs | Potentially fast | Broad use; match payment to draw timing |
| Contract or purchase-order financing | Documented awarded work | Several days or longer | Transaction and obligor quality matter |
| Invoice factoring | Approved progress invoice already issued | After eligible billing | Not a solution before invoicing |
| Equipment financing | Dedicated machinery or vehicles | Longer than general working capital | Preserves cash for labor and materials |
A four-step funding decision
Make the request easy to evaluate
Underwriting is clearer when the requested amount is tied to the specific operating event described on this page—not a rounded maximum. The file should connect executed contract or award notice with schedule of values, then show the date and source of expected repayment.
Present a base case and a downside case. The downside case should assume that the expected cash event arrives later than planned while the proposed payment still begins on schedule. If ordinary operations cannot support that case, reduce the request, change the product, negotiate the underlying expense, or wait.
A strong request answers four questions in plain language: What creates the need? Why is the amount correct? What business event repays it? What happens if that event is delayed?
Compare agreements on the same basis
Convert every offer into
- Net cash delivered after fees
- Total contractual payback
- Payment amount and frequency
- Estimated payoff date
- Prepayment treatment
Ask before signing
- What conditions remain before funding?
- Is the payment fixed or variable?
- What happens after a weak sales week?
- Are there liens or guarantees?
- Who services the obligation?
Documents that clarify the request
- Executed contract or award notice
- Schedule of values
- Project schedule and billing terms
- Recent business bank statements
Before signing anything
- An award is not the same as an unconditional receivable.
- Change-order work should not be treated as approved revenue.
- Include retainage and inspection delays.
- Do not fund a structurally unprofitable project.
Common questions
What costs belong in a mobilization budget?
Labor, payroll burden, materials deposits, equipment transport, permits, insurance, temporary facilities, and required subcontractor advances.
How much should a contractor request?
Use the peak cumulative cash deficit before expected collections, plus a reasonable contingency—not the full contract value.
Can the contract alone guarantee approval?
No. Underwriting can also consider business history, deposits, margins, existing obligations, customer quality, and contract terms.
Independent resources
U.S. Small Business Administration — Fund your business Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Small-business lending resourcesProduct availability, qualification, cost, and timing vary. This page is educational and does not constitute a financing commitment.
See what the business may qualify for
Construction Capital Advance focuses on construction cash-flow gaps between mobilization and progress payments. A complete application allows the request to be evaluated; it does not guarantee approval or a particular funding time.
Review funding options