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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationSecure the final payment upfront
Secure the final payment upfront
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Ian Bushnell
Content Writer
One of the most frustrating and sometimes fruitless tasks for busy builders and trades is running down late or unpaid invoices from clients.
Not only can it cause time off the tools but leave precious cash flow perilously low.
A study by accounting software firm Intuit QuickBooks Australia revealed that Australian small business owners are struggling to manage unpaid invoices and cash-flow issues, with significant consequences for their business.
According to the research, small businesses spend over an hour and a half every week chasing late or unpaid invoices, with almost two in five businesses dedicating between one to three hours per week to the task.
This amounts to each and every tradie spending an average of 104 hours of the year chasing invoices.
How to achieve seamless payments
Unpaid invoices don’t just affect individual contractors but cascade to other businesses in the supply chain. Over a quarter of small business owners reported missing a supplier payment or deadline due to a lack of cash flow resulting from unpaid invoices.
What if there was a way to kill two birds with one stone – ensure the money is there to be paid and seamless payment when due.
Enter Witzer, a free app for small and medium enterprises that can turn your smartphone into a combined project management and payment tool.
Designed by a tradie for tradies, the secure Witzer platform protects contractors from running into cashflow challenges and racking up costs associated with chasing down debtors, overdue invoices and late payments.
How does Witzer work?
Witzer works by holding project funds in a secure, independent trust; only to be released when both parties agree milestones have been reached or the job completed to standard – as per the conditions set out within the contract.
This means tradies get paid as work is completed, cash in the business and no time lost. Witzer provides a clear record of all payments and outstanding amounts. This allows users to track payments against milestones and see what's paid and due.
Witzer CEO James Robinson says the tool provides certainty, transparency and builds trust between contractor and client.
‘With Witzer, tradies know exactly when they can expect to get paid and homeowners know they’ll get a job completed to a high standard,’ James says.
‘By delivering transparency and trust to the project, Witzer works to minimise admin time chasing invoices as well as protect all parties from the fallout from financial disputes.’
Importance of trust and transparency
James says that when money is involved, even the best relationships can sour.
‘Trust and transparency are key to maintaining a great project experience,’ he says. ‘Witzer delivers the trust that both parties need to get on with the job by removing the power dynamics around who holds the cash at any one time.’
The key is having the funds available upfront and held independently.
‘By collecting the funds directly from the client at the outset of the project. we act as a completely unbiased funds manager. This helps to ensure seamless transactions that keep everyone accountable, responsible and in control of their individual parts of the project,’ James says.
All data and money are held securely in Australia, and there’s a series of checks and balances before withdrawals can be made to ensure funds are going to the right person with the request initiated by the correct party.
How to speed up the system
Witzer is also a time-saver by keeping contracts, variations, project milestones and payments in one location at your fingertips for easy tracking and management.
Its messaging feature – with access to files and pictures – provides an instantaneous and clear communication channel with clients to share information, live updates, reduce misunderstandings and resolve issues quickly.
And the best part is, Witzer is free for all users – the interest earned on money held in the app equals the administration fee, so there are no additional charges.
Witzer is a web-based app with companion mobile apps available on both Apple and Android devices.
Brand promotion: This article was compiled with contributions from Witzer.
First published on 13 May 2025