How contractors are preparing for a pending recession
Share this @internewscast.com

A new survey suggests slower construction could be a major indicator of a pending recession.

A survey of 250 American general contractors and subcontractors revealed that 73% can predict the broader economic climate by observing the pace of project completions.

A further 59% are concerned the current tariff crisis will have a direct impact on their projects and business as a whole.

Half said they frequently have to fight to prevent being lowballed on quotes for their projects.

Furthermore, 58% of contractors are so confident in the correlation between their industry and the overall economic climate that they believe implementing faster payment systems could “guarantee” a reduction in inflationary pressures within the construction sector.

The study, commissioned by Built and conducted by Talker Research, also discovered that contractors and subcontractors typically wait 15 days on average to receive payments after submitting invoices for their work.

Yet seven in 10 have experienced delays in their payments.

Those who have had payment delays said about 10% exceed 30 days.

And many typically turn to either their business savings (45%), business credit lines (45%) and credit cards (44%) to cover expenses while awaiting payments.

As a result of payment delays, 72% said they have had to adjust bid amounts by as much as 8% on average in order to compensate.

Sixty-four percent have had to file liens due to delays.

And the average contractor has had to halt all work on particular projects at least once in the past year because of delays.

A third (35%) have also had projects canceled altogether or heavily delayed due to a lack of finances from developers.

“Payment delays aren’t just administrative headaches—they’re adding significant hidden costs to construction, especially with already strained budgets where fewer projects pencil,” says Chase Gilbert, CEO of Built.

“If projects are stalled, your money isn’t working for you; it’s working against you. Developers who are slow to pay are costing themselves more than they may realize—whether they see it or not.”

The survey found many contractors have adopted a number of different measures to manage their cash flow and costs amid slow payment cycles.

Those measures include increased use of credit (41%), negotiated longer terms with suppliers (33%) and reduced project bidding (24%).

Delayed payments can be so severe of a problem, 76% would offer discounts on bids if a faster payment was guaranteed — 5% on average.

Six in 10 said a developer’s reputation for timely payments has a major or significant impact on their decision to bid for a project.

In their opinions, many contractors said the biggest contributors to payment delays stem from contract disputes (23%), cash flow management and prioritization (21%), bank disbursement processes (18%), administrative hold-ups (14%) and manual or paper-based processes (14%).

More than half (58%) believe technology plays a major or significant role in ensuring faster payments in the construction industry.

Four in five (82%) said they’d willingly accept receiving digital payments, if it meant getting their money faster.

“Delayed payments don’t just frustrate contractors—they create a ripple effect that drives up costs, derails schedules, and erodes margins throughout the industry,” said Gilbert.

“Modernizing payment workflows isn’t just about speed—it’s about protecting profitability, reducing overhead, and accelerating capital inflows. When capital moves efficiently, everyone benefits—from developers to communities.” 

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 250 American general contractors and subcontractors; the survey was commissioned by Built and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Apr. 2 and Apr. 10, 2025.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Dangerous trail leaves hikers stranded overnight on Maine's highest mountain

Perilous Path Causes Hikers to Spend Night Stuck on Maine’s Tallest Peak

Four hikers were rescued on Friday in Maine on Maine’s tallest mountain,…
Off-duty NYPD officer, father of 2 killed in deranged gunman's Manhattan rampage

Off-Duty NYPD Officer, Father of Two, Fatally Shot in Manhattan Gunman’s Chaos

An off-duty NYPD officer was fatally shot in Manhattan on Monday was…
Screenshot of a video showing a person filling bottles with petrol, along with a van and a pickup truck.

Alarming Scene: Suspected Arsonist in Turkey Caught Filling Bottles with Gasoline Amid Wildfires That Claim 4 Lives; Warnings of a ‘Dangerous Week’ Ahead

THIS is the chilling moment a man who allegedly sparked a devastating…
Donald Trump and Keir Starmer in a meeting.

Trump Criticizes Sadiq Khan’s Performance, Only for Starmer to Defend Him: ‘He’s a Friend!’

DONALD Trump today savaged Sadiq Khan as a “nasty person” who has…
Crime scene with police and forensic officers.

Shocking Incident: Nursery Goes on Lockdown Following Fatal Stabbing at London Business

A MUM has told of her horror after her two-year-old son’s nursery…
American tourist vanishes in tropical paradise after early morning walk from vacation rental

Tropical Paradise Shattered by Nightclub Attack Resulting in Multiple Deaths

Three individuals lost their lives, and ten others were injured following a…
CNN’s Erin Burnett Faceplants Spectacularly, Dragged for Identifying NYC Shooter As ‘Possibly White’

CNN’s Erin Burnett Criticized for Speculating NYC Shooter’s Race as ‘Possibly White’

CNN anchor Erin Burnett faced considerable criticism for referring to Shane Tamura,…
Arkansas police release sketch drawing in search for killer at Devil's Den State Park

Arkansas Police Unveil Sketch in Hunt for Killer at Devil’s Den State Park

In Little Rock, Arkansas, police have reported that the individual responsible for…
Ghislaine Maxwell threatens to dodge Epstein questions unless demands are met

Ghislaine Maxwell Refuses to Answer Epstein Questions Unless Conditions Are Satisfied

Ghislaine Maxwell, the previous collaborator and partner of Jeffrey Epstein, is seeking…
'Misconduct': AG Bondi Files Official Complaint Against Anti-Trump Judge Boasberg

Attorney General Bondi Accuses Anti-Trump Judge Boasberg of Misconduct with Formal Complaint

Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, has reached a decision. On Monday, the…
Map of tsunami advisory showing magnitude 8 earthquake location and affected areas.

Pacific Islands on High Alert for Tsunami Following 8.7 Magnitude Earthquake Near Russia

A HUGE earthquake has struck the coast of Russia – strong enough…
Tyrese Haliburton gets engaged to longtime girlfriend Jade Jones

Tyrese Haliburton Announces Engagement to Longtime Partner Jade Jones

Tyrese Haliburton pulled out all of the stops to propose to his…