Invoice finance
[edit] Introduction
Invoice finance is a means of receiving early payment on invoices to improve cash-flow.
One of the key issues facing contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry has always been that of late payment. Invoice finance is a product (or group of products) aimed at improving cash-flow for businesses who issue 30/60/90-day invoices to other businesses.
How it works:
- Once a facility is in place, the standard invoice is sent to the customer as usual.
- A copy of the invoice is sent to the finance provider who will pay a pre-arranged percentage of the invoice amount within 24 hours. The amount paid is usually between 80% and 100% of the invoice total.
- The invoice finance company will chase the customer for payment and when paid, the balance (less any fees) is sent on to the seller.
The standard process is 'factoring' - where the customer is made aware that the finance company is chasing for payment. In confidential invoice discounting, the customer is unaware that the finance company is chasing for payment.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Buyer-funded development.
- Cash flow.
- Construction loan.
- Construction project funding.
- Cost plans.
- Discounted cash flow.
- Equity and loan capital.
- Equity in property.
- Funding options.
- Funding prospectus.
- Leaseback.
- Mezzanine finance.
- Project-based funding.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts.
- Reverse premium.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.





















