For nearly every other business, you can secure payment up front – but why is it different for the building industry? 

Progress payment schedules are designed to protect you and your clients and keep large builds moving ahead smoothly. For homeowners, they provide an opportunity to ensure that each stage of their new home or renovation is completed to a satisfactory standard. For builders, progress payments ensure a steady cash flow during construction.

Progress payments aren’t an option for your clients: they are actually a legal requirement for any building contract over $20,000. The legislation states that under a fixed price contract, a specific amount or a percentage of the contract price is payable after the completion of each specified stage of work, as set out in your progress payment schedule.

Sounds reasonable, right? You do the work, you get paid. In a perfect world, getting progress payments would be as easy as buying a coffee. But for countless tradespeople across Australia, it’s not always that simple.

Disputes happen

The problem with the progress payment system is that even when the specifics are clearly spelt out on the contract, so much can go wrong – clients can become difficult, they can change their mind about things and request variations. They may fail to pay the agreed amount on time, pay less than the due amount, or simply refuse to pay for completed work, leaving you high and dry. Chasing down payments can cost you time, energy, money – and your sanity. And, when you’ve got timelines to meet and projects to keep financed, even one or two invoice follow-ups is too many.

According to James Robinson, CEO of Witzer, payment disputes are often the result of miscommunication: a client thinks something hasn’t been completed when it has; maybe there’s confusion around variations; or perhaps weather delays have impacted your timelines.

‘Most disputes, including those in the building industry, start with “I thought” or “I assumed”’, James says. ‘Witzer is here to help fix that.’

Clarity and certainty

With 25 years’ experience in top tier construction as a contracts manager, James has first-hand experience dealing with disputes, delayed payments, and their impacts on your stress levels and business. Knowing there had to be a better way; he developed the Witzer payment platform to alleviate these issues. The app-based system is simple, safe and secure, and it’s the perfect way for tradespeople and contractors to protect themselves from those ‘I thought’-type disputes, and get paid on time, every time. 

How does it work? Witzer allows your client to make a financial commitment at the start of the project, which sits in a trust account visible to both parties. Funds are then automatically released as project milestones are met. The beauty of this system is that it gives everyone peace of mind: Witzer secures that all important final payment upfront, so you can avoid the stress and expense of chasing outstanding monies; and it gives your customers trust that you are committed to delivering a great result. 

‘Witzer creates trust and transparency between tradies and homeowners by openly "putting the money on the table”’, James explains. “The psychological benefits that Witzer provides in fostering a strong and trust-based relationship from day one is instrumental in avoiding disputes from arising”  

‘This reduces risk, builds mutual confidence, and ensures that everyone involved knows exactly where they stand. With my construction experience, I know that projects built on trust consistently deliver the best outcomes for everyone involved.

‘If a dispute arises, you and your client can work through the resolution calmly, knowing the money is held safely in the Witzer wallet until a mutual agreement is reached.’ 

Less time at the desk, more time onsite

Witzer’s user-friendly and intuitive interface also simplifies a range of admin and cash management functions. ‘The software gives total visibility and helps you to balance your income and expenses to level out your cash flow,’ James says.

And because the app automates the process to create clear, transparent communication that must been approved by the client, there is no room for misunderstanding, meaning you will spend less time working through disputes and more time getting on with the job, all while having a stronger relationship with your client.

Free and easy

If you thought this all-in-one payment and cash-management solution couldn’t get any better, think again. As well as giving you peace of mind and improving your business efficiencies, Witzer is a free service.

‘Witzer makes a daily cash rate from any money sitting in the Witzer wallet, which is the equivalent to an admin and servicing fee,’ James says. ‘So the app is free for you to download, and free for you to use.’ 

So why wait? Download the Witzer app today and start getting paid on time, every time.

Download on the Apple App Store, or Google Play.

To find out more, visit Witzer.

Brand promotion: This article was compiled with contributions from Witzer.

First published 5 September 2025