Invoicing for Carpenters Made Easy - The Payment Platform Built for Carpenters
Build stronger cash flow with payments that actually work for carpentry professionals
Trusted by 10,000+ industrial small businesses
Why Carpenters Are Switching to Nickel
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:
- $25,000 custom kitchen cabinet installations are normal business, not suspicious activity
- Seasonal project surges during spring and summer renovation seasons create payment spikes that banks often flag as unusual
- You need reliable processing during peak construction seasons when demand is highest
- Your cash flow depends on predictable payment timing, not arbitrary holds that can freeze your operating capital
Result: No surprise account holds, no "business verification" delays, no risk department calls that can paralyze your business when you need payments most.
Why Carpenters Are Switching to Nickel
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:
- $25,000 custom kitchen cabinet installations are normal business, not suspicious activity
- Seasonal project surges during spring and summer renovation seasons create payment spikes that banks often flag as unusual
- You need reliable processing during peak construction seasons when demand is highest
- Your cash flow depends on predictable payment timing, not arbitrary holds that can freeze your operating capital
Result: No surprise account holds, no "business verification" delays, no risk department calls that can paralyze your business when you need payments most.
Before Nickel vs. After Nickel
Multiple systems for invoicing, payments, and bookkeeping
Banks freeze accounts over routine $25,000 custom cabinet projects
Lose 1-3% on every transaction ($250-750 per typical residential job)
Banks don't understand carpentry business patterns
Hours spent matching payments to invoices in QuickBooks
Everything integrated: invoicing, payments, and QuickBooks sync
We understand large and variable transactions are normal for carpenters and our support team is highly responsive if you ever run into issues
Keep 100% of what customers pay you
Designed around how your business actually works
Your invoices and payments automatically sync to the right customer, service call, and project, plus seamless AP integration
The Modern Carpentry Payment Crisis
The carpentry industry faces unique financial challenges that generic payment processors simply don't understand. With over 923,000 carpenters competing in a market worth $44.2 billion, carpentry businesses are caught between rising material costs and clients demanding more flexible payment options.
Seasonal Cash Flow Volatility:
Carpentry work experiences significant seasonal fluctuations, with peak demand typically concentrated in spring through fall when homeowners tackle renovation projects. Many carpentry businesses face slowdowns during winter months, yet fixed overhead costs like equipment payments, insurance, and shop rent continue year-round. Traditional banks don't understand these seasonal patterns and often flag spring payment surges as suspicious activity.
Custom Project Payment Complexity:
Custom carpentry projects often involve multi-stage billing, from initial consultations and design phases to material procurement and final installation. A custom kitchen cabinet project might involve payments for design ($2,000), materials ($8,000), and installation ($15,000), spread across several months. Each stage requires different payment timing, yet traditional payment processors treat these varying amounts as red flags rather than normal business operations.
Material Cost Pressure:
Carpentry projects frequently require purchasing materials or tools upfront before a job is completed and paid for. With lumber and hardware costs fluctuating significantly, carpenters often need to finance thousands of dollars in materials while waiting 30-60 days for client payments. When a custom built-in project requires $12,000 in premium hardwood that must be ordered weeks in advance, cash flow timing becomes critical.
Commercial Project Payment Delays:
Commercial carpentry work, whether for restaurants, offices, or retail spaces, often involves complex approval processes with multiple stakeholders. A restaurant build-out might require approvals from property managers, general contractors, and business owners, each adding weeks to your payment timeline. These delays can stretch payment cycles to 60-90 days while your material and labor costs remain immediate.
The Modern Carpentry Payment Crisis
The carpentry industry faces unique financial challenges that generic payment processors simply don't understand. With over 923,000 carpenters competing in a market worth $44.2 billion, carpentry businesses are caught between rising material costs and clients demanding more flexible payment options.
Seasonal Cash Flow Volatility:
Carpentry work experiences significant seasonal fluctuations, with peak demand typically concentrated in spring through fall when homeowners tackle renovation projects. Many carpentry businesses face slowdowns during winter months, yet fixed overhead costs like equipment payments, insurance, and shop rent continue year-round. Traditional banks don't understand these seasonal patterns and often flag spring payment surges as suspicious activity.
Custom Project Payment Complexity:
Custom carpentry projects often involve multi-stage billing, from initial consultations and design phases to material procurement and final installation. A custom kitchen cabinet project might involve payments for design ($2,000), materials ($8,000), and installation ($15,000), spread across several months. Each stage requires different payment timing, yet traditional payment processors treat these varying amounts as red flags rather than normal business operations.
Material Cost Pressure:
Carpentry projects frequently require purchasing materials or tools upfront before a job is completed and paid for. With lumber and hardware costs fluctuating significantly, carpenters often need to finance thousands of dollars in materials while waiting 30-60 days for client payments. When a custom built-in project requires $12,000 in premium hardwood that must be ordered weeks in advance, cash flow timing becomes critical.
Commercial Project Payment Delays:
Commercial carpentry work, whether for restaurants, offices, or retail spaces, often involves complex approval processes with multiple stakeholders. A restaurant build-out might require approvals from property managers, general contractors, and business owners, each adding weeks to your payment timeline. These delays can stretch payment cycles to 60-90 days while your material and labor costs remain immediate.
Simplified Modern Workflow
Send invoice (or use your existing invoicing)
Customer pays instantly via secure link
Payment auto-syncs to QuickBooks
Money hits your account in 2 business days
Built-in QuickBooks Integration
Your payments automatically sync to the right invoice, customer, and job. No more:
Compare: Nickel vs. Other Payment Platforms
What This Means for Your Carpentry Business
Save Money
Zero ACH fees: Save $4,000-12,000 per year on a typical carpentry business No hidden costs: No setup fees, monthly fees, or surprise charges Early payment discounts: Pay and get paid faster, capture supplier discounts
Save Time
Automated reconciliation: 3+ hours per week saved on bookkeeping Instant invoicing: Send payment links directly from job sites One system: Stop switching between payment apps, banking apps, and QuickBooks
Reduce Risk
Process large payments worry-free: We understand carpentry transactions and provide responsive support when needed Predictable processing: Money hits your account in 2 business days Secure payments: Bank-level security without the bank headaches
Carpentry Industry Payment Breakdown
The $44.2 billion U.S. carpentry industry faces unique financial pressures that traditional payment processors weren't designed to handle.
Market Fragmentation:
With over 923,000 carpenters employed in the United States, the vast majority are small businesses operating with thin margins and limited negotiating power. More than 93% of carpenters work for private companies, most of which are small operations with fewer than 20 employees. These smaller businesses lack the leverage to negotiate better payment terms with banks or processors, often getting stuck with high fees and restrictive policies designed for larger enterprises.
Project Economics:
The median hourly wage for carpenters is $27.09, but custom carpentry projects often involve significant material and labor costs that dwarf individual hourly rates. A typical kitchen cabinet installation might cost $15,000-40,000, while custom built-ins for a home office could run $8,000-20,000. When customers pay by credit card, processors typically charge 2.9-3.5% plus transaction fees, which can mean $450-1,200+ in fees per project eating directly into already competitive margins.
Equipment and Workshop Financing:
Professional carpentry requires significant equipment investments. A complete woodworking shop setup with table saws, planers, sanders, and specialty tools can easily exceed $75,000. Many carpenters also need work vehicles, tool trailers, and mobile workshop setups that can cost $40,000-100,000+. Traditional financing often doesn't understand the seasonal nature of carpentry work or the project-based cash flow patterns, making it difficult to secure equipment loans that align with actual business income cycles.
Workforce and Subcontractor Management:
Nearly 60% of construction firms face cash flow challenges, and carpentry businesses are no exception. The industry frequently relies on a mix of employees and subcontractors, with complex payment timing requirements. While employees require regular payroll regardless of client payment timing, subcontractors may work on "pay-when-paid" agreements. Managing these different payment obligations while waiting for client payments creates constant cash flow pressure, especially during seasonal slow periods.
Carpentry Industry Payment Breakdown
The $44.2 billion U.S. carpentry industry faces unique financial pressures that traditional payment processors weren't designed to handle.
Market Fragmentation:
With over 923,000 carpenters employed in the United States, the vast majority are small businesses operating with thin margins and limited negotiating power. More than 93% of carpenters work for private companies, most of which are small operations with fewer than 20 employees. These smaller businesses lack the leverage to negotiate better payment terms with banks or processors, often getting stuck with high fees and restrictive policies designed for larger enterprises.
Project Economics:
The median hourly wage for carpenters is $27.09, but custom carpentry projects often involve significant material and labor costs that dwarf individual hourly rates. A typical kitchen cabinet installation might cost $15,000-40,000, while custom built-ins for a home office could run $8,000-20,000. When customers pay by credit card, processors typically charge 2.9-3.5% plus transaction fees, which can mean $450-1,200+ in fees per project eating directly into already competitive margins.
Equipment and Workshop Financing:
Professional carpentry requires significant equipment investments. A complete woodworking shop setup with table saws, planers, sanders, and specialty tools can easily exceed $75,000. Many carpenters also need work vehicles, tool trailers, and mobile workshop setups that can cost $40,000-100,000+. Traditional financing often doesn't understand the seasonal nature of carpentry work or the project-based cash flow patterns, making it difficult to secure equipment loans that align with actual business income cycles.
Workforce and Subcontractor Management:
Nearly 60% of construction firms face cash flow challenges, and carpentry businesses are no exception. The industry frequently relies on a mix of employees and subcontractors, with complex payment timing requirements. While employees require regular payroll regardless of client payment timing, subcontractors may work on "pay-when-paid" agreements. Managing these different payment obligations while waiting for client payments creates constant cash flow pressure, especially during seasonal slow periods.
Ranked #1 Easiest to Use Payment Solution by G2
See why Nickel outranks every major competitor, including Forwardly, Melio, and Square
Get Started in Minutes
No contracts. No setup fees. No risk.
Sign Up (2 minutes)
Connect QuickBooks (1 click)
Start Getting Paid (immediately)
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