The Payment Platform Built for Cabinet Makers

Unlike traditional payment processors that treat you like a "high-risk" business, Nickel was built specifically for trade professionals who handle large invoice-based transactions. We understand that:

• $30,000 custom kitchen cabinet orders are normal business, not suspicious activity
• Multi-phase payment schedules create transaction patterns that banks often flag as unusual
• You need reliable processing when collecting milestone payments throughout multi-week projects
• Your cash flow depends on predictable payment timing, not arbitrary holds

Result: No surprise account holds, no "business verification" delays, no risk department calls.

The custom cabinetry industry faces unique financial challenges that generic payment processors simply don't understand. With the U.S. cabinet and vanity manufacturing market valued at $21.9 billion in 2025 across 5,886 businesses, custom cabinet makers operate in one of the most financially demanding segments of the construction industry.

Deposit and Milestone Payment Complexity:

Custom cabinet shops typically require 50% deposits before ordering materials, then collect additional payments at key milestones like shop drawing approval, delivery, and installation completion. A $50,000 kitchen project might involve four separate payment stages spanning 6-12 weeks. When customers pay by credit card, traditional processors charge 2.9-3.5% per transaction, meaning you're losing $1,450-$1,750 in fees on a single project. These multi-stage payments create transaction patterns that banks often misinterpret as unusual activity, leading to holds right when you need cash flow most.

Material Cost Volatility:

Custom cabinetry profit margins typically range from 25-50%, but material costs fluctuate significantly based on lumber prices, hardware availability, and finish supplies. Plywood that cost $65 per sheet last quarter might cost $85 today. When you've quoted a project at current prices but won't collect final payment for 8-10 weeks, any material cost increases come directly out of your margin. For cabinet shops moving $500,000-$2 million annually, managing this timing gap between material purchases and customer payments becomes a constant cash flow challenge.

Extended Payment Terms Pressure:

General contractors and homebuilders increasingly demand Net 30 or Net 60 payment terms, especially on commercial projects or new construction developments. When you're operating as a small cabinet shop with 5-15 employees, financing your customers for 30-60 days while paying suppliers within 15 days creates significant working capital strain. The cabinet industry standard requires shops to collect 50% upfront precisely because of these cash flow pressures, yet many larger customers resist these terms.

Project-Based Revenue Cycles:

Custom cabinet work follows unpredictable project timelines. A kitchen remodel might be delayed by permitting issues, material shortages, or contractor scheduling conflicts. When your shop has invested thousands in materials for a project that's now delayed by three weeks, you're carrying inventory costs without corresponding cash inflow. Unlike production cabinet manufacturers with predictable order volumes, custom shops experience revenue concentration where 2-3 major projects might represent 40% of quarterly revenue.