The Payment Platform Built for Flooring Contractors

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:

• $35,000 commercial flooring installations are normal business, not suspicious activity
• Material deliveries and project completions create payment surges that banks often flag as unusual
• You need reliable processing during peak renovation seasons and new construction cycles
• 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 $31.7 billion flooring installation industry faces unique financial pressures that generic payment processors simply don't understand. With 118,000 businesses competing in a market that's grown at just 1.3% annually over the past five years, flooring contractors are squeezed between rising material costs and increasingly demanding payment terms from general contractors and property owners.

Sequential Installation Dependencies:

Flooring installation sits at the end of most construction sequences - you can't install flooring until electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, and painting are complete. These dependencies create unpredictable project timelines where delays upstream push your work back weeks or months. When electrical or plumbing runs late, you're still responsible for material orders, crew scheduling, and equipment rentals without any incoming revenue.

Material Cost Volatility and Inventory Management:

Flooring materials experience significant price fluctuations - luxury vinyl tile, hardwood, carpet, and tile costs can swing 20-40% based on supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages. A typical commercial project might require $15,000-25,000 in materials that must be ordered weeks in advance and paid Net 30 to suppliers, but customer payments often take 60-90 days after installation completion.

Progress Payment Timing Mismatches:

Unlike other trades that can bill for progress throughout their work, flooring contractors typically can't bill until installation is complete and inspected. This creates massive cash flow gaps where you've purchased materials, scheduled crews, and completed preparation work but can't invoice until the final square foot is installed. Any punch list items or corrections delay payment even further.

Specialized Equipment and Labor Costs:

Professional flooring installation requires significant equipment investment - floor sanders, nail guns, moisture meters, seaming equipment, and specialized tools can cost $50,000-100,000 for a complete setup. Skilled installers command premium wages due to labor shortages, with experienced flooring crews increasingly hard to find and retain. When customer payments are delayed, meeting payroll and equipment financing becomes a constant struggle.