One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten about working with contractors?

Money talks.

Not as a threat. Not as leverage. Just truth.

If you want better work — and better relationships — you have to understand how money shapes behavior on a job site. It can drive quality, commitment, and pace… or it can quietly erode all three.

Because most contractor issues don’t come out of nowhere.

They come from misaligned incentives.

Money Doesn’t Just Pay for the Work — It Shapes It

Money sets the tone. It drives the pace. It influences how your contractor shows up, what they prioritize, and how much attention they give your site versus the ten others texting their phone. And the crazy part? It’s not always conscious. Even great trades can slow down or disengage if the money sends the wrong signal.

Because money speaks — and the way you move it (or don’t) tells your contractor what matters.

Are you leading this job with intention? Or just reacting?

Are they expected to earn each draw? Or are payments coming out like tips?

Every dollar carries a message. And if you’re not paying attention to what it’s saying, you’re not really leading the job.

Want Better Work? Be a Better Payer.

One of the most overlooked leadership tools on any job?

Paying your contractors on time.

That single habit does more to build trust and momentum than any checklist or phone call.

Paying on time says:

“I value your work and your business”

When a contractor knows they’ll be paid:

• On time
• Fairly
• Without having to chase it...

...they lean in. They prioritize your job. They show up ready to work.

You don’t have to overpay. But you do need to pay right. Underpaying, ghosting on payments, or making someone wait three weeks for a draw they earned? That’s how you lose your best people — and get stuck with your worst.

What Happens When You Pay Too Early?

Here’s the flip side — and something not enough people talk about:

Paying too early sends the wrong signal.

When you release a check before the work is done — even with good intentions — what you’re really saying is:

“You don’t need to finish the job to get paid.”

Of course, you’re expecting the work to get done. But money has momentum. And when it moves ahead of the work, the work slows down.

Even great contractors — the kind who normally stay on it — might disappear for a day or two after getting paid early. Not because they’re flaky. Just because subconsciously, they don’t feel the urgency anymore.

It’s not malicious. It’s just human nature.

If your payment schedule is built on hope instead of milestones, don’t be surprised when timelines slip.

Pay fair. Pay on time. But don’t pay ahead. Let the work lead — and the money follow.

Don’t Beat Down the Price, Then Expect Top-Shelf Work

There’s nothing wrong with negotiating. You should ask questions. You should protect your budget.

But if you constantly hammer your contractors on price — if every job turns into a squeeze — don’t be surprised when the quality drops or they stop picking up your calls.

Because here’s the message that sends:

“I don’t really value your work — I just want it cheap.”

And no one does their best work when they feel undervalued.

Even if they say yes to your number, they’re not saying yes to your job.

They’re saying yes to survival. And that shows up in the results:

• Rushed crews
• Cut corners
• “Good enough” finishes
• No real investment in the outcome

Sometimes a bid is high. Sometimes a trade needs to tighten it up. That’s normal. But negotiation should be the exception — not your personality.

When a contractor feels respected and profitable, they bring their best. And that’s what keeps jobs moving, not just for this project — but for the next one too.

Contractors Are Running a Business — Just Like You

This might be the most important mindset shift of all:

Your contractor is a business owner.

They’re managing labor, materials, schedules, fuel costs, and vendors. They’ve got bills. Families. Payroll to meet.

If you treat them like a laborer chasing cash, don’t be surprised when they bounce at the first better offer.

But when you treat them like a partner — when you say, “I want you to make money on this job,” and mean it — everything changes.

I say this in almost every first conversation:

“I want your business to grow. I want you to win. And I’ll always pay you on time. If I ever can’t, I’ll tell you early and clearly.”

That line alone has built more loyalty on my jobs than any “contractor tip” out there.

Final Word: Pay Like a Builder Who Leads

At TRP, we say it all the time:

You’re not just managing a project — you’re leading a team.

The way you handle money says a lot about what kind of leader you are.

So set up the system right. Pay on time. Communicate early.

And always, always build with clarity.

Because money talks.

Let it say the right thing.