Premier MEP Search Firm

Cash flow can make or break your MEP firm, and nothing puts a wrench in things like delayed client payments. You’ve got your projects running smoothly, your team’s executing, but if the payments aren’t coming in on time, it disrupts everything—from paying your people to covering operational costs to keeping the business moving forward.

Why is this a big deal?
When payments get delayed, you’re stuck in a tough spot. You might find yourself dipping into reserves or, worse, borrowing just to keep the lights on. Cash flow issues make it harder to plan, grow, or confidently take on new projects. Even worse, it puts unnecessary strain on the business when all you’re trying to do is keep things running.

How do you fix it?
Get payment terms locked in before the project starts. Set clear expectations upfront, and build in milestone payments, so you’re not stuck waiting until the end to get paid. Consider offering incentives for early payments or penalties for late ones to keep clients on track. Have someone on your team or an automated system in place to follow up on overdue invoices, so things don’t slip through the cracks. And make sure you’ve got some cash reserves to cover any gaps caused by late payments.

Why this matters for hiring:
The people on your team are key to keeping cash flow in check. Project managers need to hit their milestones so those payments get triggered on time. Meanwhile, your financial team or business development folks need to know how to manage client relationships without letting payments slip. Cash flow issues directly impact your ability to grow, hire, and take on more work, so having the right people in place is crucial to protecting your bottom line.