How to Predict Your Cash Flows

Creating predictability in your cash flow as a contractor starts with taking a look at your bigger financial picture. There are three key areas to focus on: revenues, timing the receipt of payments for projects, and forecasting expenses.

Step 1:

Start with revenues. Estimate the amount of revenue your business should generate from each project you have currently slated on your calendar for each quarter.

Step 2:

Next, look at when you expect the payments for those projects to arrive. This is where accurate scheduling becomes important. It’s much easier to work around a cash flow gap on future projects if you have firm dates for receiving payment for the ones you’re currently working on.

Step 3:

The third piece of the puzzle is expenses. This includes everything you need to complete the project: materials, labor, overhead costs and everything in-between. Take note of the cost of each expense and the timeline for paying each one.

Getting clarity on the numbers can help you shape a strategy for closing cash flow gaps.

 

Contributed by Samantha Novick, a content marketing writer covering business and finance at Funding Circle.

Stay Up to Date on Trends
Get the latest marketing & business tips in your inbox.