Contract Rich, Cash Poor: Why More Jobs Won’t Fix Your Cash Flow
This story isn’t about one contractor—it’s a mash-up of many I’ve worked with over the years.
Different names. Different trades. Same gut punch.
It starts the same way every time:
They just landed three big contracts.
High revenue. Steady work.
Crews are moving. Equipment is booked out. Phones are ringing. On paper, it looks like a breakout quarter.
But behind the scenes?
The owner’s not sleeping.
Vendors are calling.
Payroll is tight.
And nobody can figure out where the money went.
Sound familiar?
The more jobs they took on, the worse cash flow became. The turning point usually came late at night—staring at numbers that didn’t make sense. That "big win" job? It was underbid, overrun, and ended up bleeding more cash than it brought in.
It’s the contractor’s trap: More revenue, less cash.
Let’s unpack why this happens—and what turns it around.
Lesson One: Revenue Is Not a Rescue Plan
It’s tempting to think:
“If we just land one more job, we’ll catch up.”
But more work without a margin strategy is just expensive stress.
It’s motion, not progress.
You stay busy—but your bank account stays broke.
In nearly every case I’ve seen, the issue wasn’t lack of work. It was underestimating labor, rising material costs, and failing to build in buffers for the unknown.
They didn’t know the job was a loser until it was already done.
Lesson Two: The Power’s in the Numbers
The contractors who turn things around don’t wait until the job’s over to see what went wrong.
They slow down. They implement a system.
They get intentional about their numbers.
I’ve helped teams go from cash chaos to clarity by doing just three things:
Reviewing every bid in painstaking detail before it goes out
Benchmarking estimates against actuals
Mapping the cash flow impact of each job before signing the contract
It’s not about becoming a CPA or CFO. It’s about taking back control.
Because when you understand the numbers, the anxiety goes away—and profitability comes back.
Reality Check
If your team is busy but your bank account is empty, the problem isn’t effort. It’s clarity.
You don’t need more jobs.
You need better estimates.
Tighter controls.
Cleaner systems.
You need to stop flying blind.
Your Best Right Next Step
If this story hits close to home, here are three strategic options—choose the one that fits where you are right now:
🟢 Option 1: Know Your Numbers
For contractors who don’t yet have a clear picture of their financial health.
If you’re not reviewing your P&L monthly… if your balance sheet is a mystery… or if your bookkeeper knows more than you do — this is your starting point.
🟡 Option 2: Build Your 3-Year Financial Roadmap
For contractors who know their numbers but need a clear plan for growth.
If you want to grow revenue, increase owner pay, and build a business that thrives — this is your blueprint.
🔵 Option 3: Get a Financial Health Assessment
For contractors who already have a plan and want a second set of eyes.
If you're looking to confirm you're on track—or uncover hidden risks or missed opportunities—this is your next move.
What’s Included in All Options
✅ 60-minute 1:1 Zoom session with me (Patrick)
✅ Personalized follow-up report
✅ Industry benchmarking data
✅ 3–5 strategic recommendations
✅ WhatsApp + email access to me for follow-up support
💰 Regular Price: $2,500
🔥 Newsletter Subscriber Price: $1,250
⚠️ Spots are limited — I only take on 5 contractors per month.
👉 Reply “Blueprint” and I’ll get you the details.
Patrick Shurney, MBA
Founder, 3P Consulting
📞 443.539.6276
Helping Contractors Get Their Finances Sorted
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About Me:
As a veteran in financial coaching with over 30 years of corporate banking experience, my mission is to empower trade contractors like you to become numbers confident, optimize cash flow, leverage debt, and pay yourself competitively.
Ready for More?
Here’s how I can help you:
Profit Blueprint Program: Get your finances sorted and build out a 3-year financial roadmap in the next 30 days.
Loan Consulting: Get Bank Ready. With 30+ years of banking experience, I’ll make sure you're ready to approach lenders with a winning loan package.
Ready to take your financial strategy to the next level? Let’s connect and make sure you’re running a thriving business while paying yourself what you’re worth.
