By Kris Gowan, SilverEdge

Smarter receivables. Stronger cash flow. Less paper. What’s driving the shift in business payments?

For landscapers, cash flow isn’t a financial buzzword, it’s operational survival. And across the Small Medium Business (SMB) space, we’re seeing a major shift in how business owners manage it. 

In the landscaping industry, your crew is the backbone of your business. They’re out in the sun, lifting, digging, planting—making sure every property looks perfect. But no matter how many lawns you mow or patios you build, your team expects one thing above all: to get paid on Friday. 

Friday Payroll Is Non-Negotiable

Workers show up Monday because they trust their paycheck will land Friday. In trades like landscaping, delayed payroll erodes trust and risks losing good workers. 

But the math is tough: expenses like fuel, equipment, and materials hit immediately. Clients, meanwhile, pay on 30-, 45-, or even 60-day terms. That gap creates financial stress. According to Intuit, 61% of SMBs say cash flow issues, often tied to late payments, impact their ability to make payroll. 

Checks Are Still Common and Costly

Despite all the tech available, more than 50% of B2B payments in trades are still by check. The problem? 

• Processing costs: $16–$22 per check
• Time to deposit: 5–10 business days 
• Check fraud: still the #1 form of payment fraud (AFP, 2024) 

That’s why more contractors are nudging clients toward ACH or digital payments, without disrupting their habits. 

Card Fees Are Eating into Your Margins

Customers like paying by credit card. But with fees averaging 2.2–3%, a $20,000 install could cost you $580 in swipe fees. 

With materials, labor, and overhead on the rise, many landscapers are steering clients to ACH-first portals or adding optional card convenience fees to offset the hit. 

DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) Is Quietly Rising

DSO, the number of days it takes to get paid, is creeping up across the trades. Landscape contractors are now averaging 35–45 days, with some seasonal projects stretching even further. 

Tracking DSO is critical. It directly affects your ability to: 

• Run payroll 
• Buy materials 
• Invest in new crews or equipment 

Automation Is Becoming the Norm

Contractors aren’t asking for “more tech.” They want less time spent on admin. 

That’s why A/R and A/P automation is gaining traction: 

• Automatic reminders to clients 
• Recurring invoicing and digital payment links 
• Real-time reconciliation into QuickBooks 
• Single-payment file that handles both receivables and payables 

A recent QuickBooks study found 66% of SMBs want automation to reduce staff workload, not replace staff. It’s about reclaiming time and reducing errors. 

Modernizing A/P: Don’t Just Focus on What’s Coming In

While A/R is the first concern, automating accounts payable (A/P) also drives major gains: 

• Eliminate manual check runs 
• Pay suppliers securely via ACH, card, or virtual card 
• Approve bills digitally from the field 
• Gain visibility into all outgoing payments 

Streamlining both inflows and outflows gives you full control of your cash position, so there are no surprises on payroll Friday. 

The Bottom Line: Cash Flow Is the Real Growth Engine

Cash flow is the fuel that keeps your business moving. Even profitable companies can stall out if payments are delayed and A/R and A/P are manual. 

When your crew knows they’ll get paid on time, they work harder, stay longer, and trust your leadership. That trust starts with financial operations that are predictable, efficient, and automated. 

SilverEdge specializes in financial solutions designed to keep businesses like yours moving forward. If any of these issues resonate with you, or if you would like to learn more, reach out to Kris at SilverEdge, kris@gose.io.