Contractor finance
Cash Flow Forecast Tool
Forecast expected cash movement across a defined timeline so shortfalls are visible before they become urgent.
Timeline
Expected income
Income 1
Income 2
Income 3
Expected expenses
Expense 1
Expense 2
Expense 3
Expense 4
Summary
Cash position starts at zero at the beginning of the timeline.
Ending cash position
$7,200.00
Expected income
$28,000.00
Expected expenses
$20,800.00
Lowest cash position
-$2,600.00
Peak cash need
$2,600.00
Practical reading
A negative cash position means expected outflows arrive before expected receipts. That is the period that needs attention.
Cash position over time
Review the sequence of receipts and payments, not only the totals. A job can be profitable overall and still create a cash shortfall in the middle.
| Month | Income | Expenses | Net change | Cash position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | $9,000.00 | $6,200.00 | $2,800.00 | $2,800.00 |
| May 2026 | $0.00 | $5,400.00 | -$5,400.00 | -$2,600.00 |
| Jun 2026 | $12,000.00 | $6,800.00 | $5,200.00 | $2,600.00 |
| Jul 2026 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $2,600.00 |
| Aug 2026 | $7,000.00 | $2,400.00 | $4,600.00 | $7,200.00 |
| Sep 2026 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $7,200.00 |
How to use this tool
Enter the expected receipts and expected payments in the month you believe they will occur. The forecast then shows the order in which cash is likely to tighten or recover.
Enter receipts by timing
Deposits, progress draws, and final payments should be placed in the month they are expected to clear, not the month they are invoiced.
Enter expenses before they hit
Materials, payroll, equipment, and subcontractor draws often come before the matching customer payment. That gap is what the forecast needs to show.
Watch the lowest month
The lowest projected month is usually more important than the ending total. It tells you when the work is most likely to strain operating cash.
Contractor example
A contractor starts a six-month interior renovation with a deposit in the first month and a progress draw in the third month. Materials and labor arrive earlier. The total job may still be sound, but the forecast can show a negative cash position in the second month. That gives time to adjust billing, sequence purchases, or plan working capital before pressure builds.