Credit and Debit Card Processing for Contractors and other Trade Companies
If you work as an independent contractor, then you’ve likely encountered some difficulty with finding reliable payment processing. Chasing down outstanding amounts owed can be a pain. Plus, an income stream that comes in on a schedule that’s not standard may increase your risk of fund withholding. And, if you don’t pay attention to your credit card processing fees and terms, you can find yourself drastically overpaying for merchant services. Between negotiating your compensation, getting your work done, and soliciting new business, there’s very little time for you to focus on something like your merchant account, even though that’s one of the more important things you can do for your business.
To make the process easier for you, we’ve compiled the following list of the best merchant account providers for contractors. The companies on this list offer useful tools for contractors like mobile and online payment methods, sales tracking, client management, digital invoicing, and recurring billing. More importantly, though, they offer competitive per-transaction rates and low- or no-commitment contract terms, enabling you to keep more of your money and remain a competitive shopper. In order to find the best fit for you, be sure to compare multiple providers and contact the ones that look most promising.
How to Select the Best Contractor Credit Card Processor
When selecting a credit card processor for a Contractor business in the USA, there are several factors to consider that are specific to the industry which we have outlined below.
Acceptance of Payments
The credit card processor should accept all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. It’s also important to ensure that the processor can handle payments for large transactions, which are common in the contractor industry.
Payment Security
Contractors handle sensitive customer information, such as credit card numbers, so the credit card processor should be secure and comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) requirements to protect against data breaches and fraud.
Credit Card Payment Processing Fees
Contractors operate on tight profit margins, so it’s essential to choose a processor with low transaction fees. The fee structure should be transparent, and there should be no hidden charges or additional costs.
Mobile Payments
Many contractors work remotely or on-site, so the credit card processor should offer mobile payment options, such as mobile card readers and payment apps, to allow customers to pay on-site.
Integration with Accounting Software
The credit card processor should integrate with the contractor’s accounting software, making it easy to reconcile payments and track expenses.
Dependable Customer Service
The contractor should select a processor with excellent customer service, available 24/7, to assist with any payment issues or questions.
Reputation and Reliability
The credit card processor should have a good reputation in the industry, with a track record of reliable payment processing and timely payouts. You can consider our review on this website, by simply searching for the processor in the search bar at the top of this page.
Some popular credit card processors for Contractor businesses in the USA include Square, PayPal, Stripe, and QuickBooks Payments. It’s essential to compare the features, fees, and reputation of each processor to choose the best one for your Contractor business’s needs.
Top Picks for Merchant Services for Contractors
#1 Helcim
Top Rated for Contractor Merchant Services
Helcim is a merchant account provider headquartered in Alberta, Canada, and Seattle, Washington. The company provides merchant services and credit card processing to both U.S. and Canadian businesses. Helcim offers traditional payment processing equipment as well as a feature suite called “Helcim Commerce,” which is intended to serve as an all-in-one business management solution for merchants across all of their sales channels.
Helcim: The Best Contractor Payment Processing Solution
If you’re a contractor looking to accept credit card payments from your customers, Helcim is the perfect solution for you. Helcim is a credit card processing company that specializes in serving small businesses, including contractors. With Helcim, you’ll be able to accept payments from all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Transparent Pricing Model
One of the biggest advantages of using Helcim is the company’s transparent pricing model. Helcim charges a flat rate for all credit card transactions, with no hidden fees or additional charges. This makes it easy for contractors to understand exactly what they’re paying for each transaction, which can help you better manage your cash flow and avoid unexpected expenses.
Exceptional Customer Service
Another advantage of using Helcim is the company’s exceptional customer service. Helcim provides 24/7 support to its customers, which means you’ll be able to get help whenever you need it. Whether you’re having trouble with a transaction or just have a question about your account, Helcim’s customer service team is always ready to assist you.
Diverse Tools to Manage Payments
Helcim offers a range of tools and features that are specifically designed to help contractors manage their payments. For example, Helcim provides detailed reporting and analytics, which can help you better understand your business and make informed decisions about your operations. Additionally, Helcim offers integrations with popular accounting software, which can help you streamline your bookkeeping processes and save time.
If you’re a contractor who needs to accept credit card payments from customers, Helcim is an excellent option. With transparent pricing, exceptional customer service, and powerful tools and features, Helcim can help you manage your payments more effectively and grow your business.
Host Merchant Services
Top Pick for Contractor Credit Card Processing
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is well-suited for most general business types and some high-risk merchants. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions (with specific packages for the restaurant, salon, professional service, and contractor sectors), online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, mobile credit card processing, gift and loyalty programs, merchant cash advance, and offshore merchant accounts. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses and provides a free website and email address to new merchants who require them. This variety of payment options is particularly useful for contractors who are taking payments from a wide variety of client-types and at unpredicatble times.
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company’s customer service for praise. Host offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The BBB gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”
Why Host Merchant Services is a Great Choice for Contractors to Accept Credit Card Payments
As a contractor, it’s essential to offer customers the convenience of paying with credit cards. Host Merchant Services (HMS) is an excellent choice for small businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective credit card processing solution.
Extensive Payment Options
Contractors can benefit from HMS’s extensive range of payment options, including mobile and online payments, recurring billing, and ACH processing. Additionally, HMS offers competitive rates and transparent pricing, with no hidden fees or long-term contracts.
Exceptional Customer Support
With HMS, contractors can also benefit from exceptional customer support, with dedicated account representatives available to help with any questions or concerns. Plus, HMS’s advanced fraud detection and prevention tools provide additional security for contractors and their customers.
Seamless Integration with Billing Software
HMS also offers a user-friendly payment gateway that integrates with many popular accounting and billing software, making it easy to manage payments and track transactions. Additionally, contractors can customize the payment gateway to match their branding, creating a seamless payment experience for customers.
Host Merchant Services is an excellent option for contractors looking for a reliable, secure, and cost-effective way to accept credit card payments from customers. With a range of payment options, transparent pricing, and exceptional customer support, HMS can help contractors streamline their payment processing and focus on their core business.
For more information, visit the Host Merchant Services website or call (888) 727-4538.
PaymentCloud
Top Rated for Contractor Merchant Accounts
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving standard to high-risk business types. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. These features allow contractors to accept payments on-site using mobile payment devices as well as through a virtual terminal. For those reasons, PaymentCloud is a good option for contractors as it allows them to process payments in-store or at the job site.
PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant’s business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”
PaymentCloud: The Best Payment Processing Solution for Contractors
If you are a contractor looking to accept credit card payments from your customers, PaymentCloud is the ideal solution for you. PaymentCloud is a reputable credit card processing service provider that specializes in offering payment processing services to businesses that operate in high-risk industries, such as contractors. Here are some of the reasons why PaymentCloud is an excellent option for contractors looking to accept credit card payments from their customers.
Specialized Payment Processing Services for Contractors
PaymentCloud offers specialized payment processing services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of contractors. This means that you can rest assured that you will receive payment processing services that are specifically designed to suit your business needs. PaymentCloud understands that contractors often have unique payment processing challenges, such as managing cash flow and managing invoicing. Therefore, they provide specialized services that can help contractors manage these challenges effectively.
Quick and Easy Payment Processing
PaymentCloud offers quick and easy payment processing services, making it an ideal option for contractors who need to receive payments quickly. With PaymentCloud, you can easily accept credit card payments from your customers, regardless of where you are. PaymentCloud offers various payment processing options, including mobile payments, online payments, and in-store payments, making it easy for contractors to accept payments in any location.
Competitive Fees and Rates
PaymentCloud offers competitive fees and rates, making it a cost-effective option for contractors looking for payment processing solutions. PaymentCloud does not charge any application fees or setup fees, and there are no long-term contracts. Additionally, PaymentCloud offers transparent pricing, so you will always know exactly what you are paying for.
PaymentCloud is an excellent payment processing solution for contractors who need to accept credit card payments from their customers. PaymentCloud offers specialized payment processing services, quick and easy payment processing, and competitive fees and rates, making it an ideal option for contractors. So if you are a contractor looking for a reliable and cost-effective payment processing solution, PaymentCloud is the perfect choice for you.
For more information, visit the PaymentCloud website or call (888) 506-7859.
Additional Options
CDG Commerce
Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, CDG Commerce is a great option for contractors who need to collect payments via multiple channels, something all contractors can understand. CDG has been privately owned since 1998 and offers a proprietary payment gateway (as well as a discount on Authorize.Net’s payment gateway), a virtual terminal, QuickBooks integration, mobile phone processing, sales reporting, security breach protection, and vulnerability scanning. CDG Commerce is ideal for businesses that require a simple, low-cost, integrated mobile or online processing solution.
CDG Commerce only charges a low, fixed fee per transaction and offers competitive contractual terms, including no annual fees, monthly minimums, or termination fees. CDG also offers next-day funding to most business types. CDG has earned an “A+” rating in our review as well as an “A+” rating with the BBB.
CDG Commerce: A Trusted Payment Processing Partner for Contractors
As a contractor, accepting credit card payments from your customers can greatly benefit your business. Not only does it make payment transactions faster and more convenient, but it can also increase your sales by giving customers more payment options. When it comes to payment processing for contractors, CDG Commerce is a reliable and secure choice.
Tailored Payment Solutions for Contractors
CDG Commerce understands that contractors have unique payment processing needs. That’s why they offer customized payment solutions to meet those needs. Whether you need a mobile payment solution for on-the-go transactions or a virtual terminal for online payments, CDG Commerce has you covered. They also offer point-of-sale (POS) systems that can help streamline your payment processing and keep track of your sales data.
Transparent and Affordable Pricing
One of the biggest concerns for contractors when it comes to payment processing is the cost. CDG Commerce offers transparent and affordable pricing with no hidden fees or long-term contracts. They also offer competitive rates and charge no setup fees or cancellation fees. This means you can accept credit card payments without breaking the bank.
Robust Security Measures
Security is a top priority for CDG Commerce. They use the latest encryption and tokenization technology to ensure that your customers’ payment data is secure. They are also PCI compliant, meaning they adhere to strict industry standards for payment card data security.
CDG Commerce offers tailored payment solutions, transparent and affordable pricing, and robust security measures that make it an excellent choice for contractors who need to accept credit card payments. With CDG Commerce, you can focus on growing your business without worrying about payment processing.
For more information, see the CDG Commerce website or call (888) 393-1079.
Shopify
Shopify is primarily known as an e-commerce platform for online merchants, but the company also offers a point-of-sale software solution for iPad and iPhone. The Shopify POS app can accept cards via a headphone jack card swiper, or a $129 EMV reader and includes features like inventory syncing with a web store, emailed receipts, automatic tax calculations, basic email marketing, and in-store refunds.
The service can also be paired with a Shopify online store, which comes with numerous customization options. Shopify POS is a great fit for contractors who would like to accept payments on-site using their phones as well as through online billing. Shopify has an “A+” rating with the BBB, and we give it an “A+” rating as well.
Why Shopify is a Great Option for Contractors to Accept Credit Card Payments
Contractors face unique challenges when it comes to accepting credit card payments from their customers. With so many different payment processing options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. However, Shopify stands out as an excellent choice for contractors who need to accept credit card payments from their customers.
Easy to Use and Secure Payment Processing
One of the main benefits of using Shopify for contractor payment processing is its user-friendly platform. Even if you have limited technical expertise, you can set up an online store and start accepting credit card payments quickly and easily. Shopify also offers a secure payment processing system, which ensures that all transactions are processed securely and safely.
Flexible Payment Options for Contractors
Shopify offers a wide range of payment options, making it easy for contractors to accept credit card payments from their customers. Contractors can choose from a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and more. This flexibility makes it easy to cater to the specific needs of your customers and ensures that they can pay for your products or services easily and conveniently.
Mobile-Friendly Payment Processing
As a contractor, you may not always be in front of a computer when a customer wants to make a payment. Shopify’s mobile app allows you to accept credit card payments on the go, using your smartphone or tablet. This mobile-friendly payment processing makes it easy to accept payments from your customers, even if you’re working at a job site or on the road.
Shopify is an excellent choice for contractors who need to accept credit card payments from their customers. Its easy-to-use and secure platform, flexible payment options, and mobile-friendly payment processing make it a top choice for contractors who want to simplify the payment process for their customers.
For more information, visit the Shopify website or call (888) 746-7439.
National Processing
Based in Lindon, Utah, National Processing is a high-risk merchant account provider that is capable of serving just about any contractor. The company’s products and services for contractors include an online payment gateway, shopping cart integration, and fraud protection. National Processing is a good fit for contractors working with high-risk clients.
National Processing customizes its pricing depending on each merchant’s size, business type, and processing history. The company has earned an “A+” rating in our review as well as an “A+” rating with the BBB.
National Processing is an Excellent Option for Contractor Credit Card Payments
As a contractor, you know that getting paid on time is crucial to the success of your business. National Processing understands this and has tailored their services to meet the unique needs of contractors. They offer fast and secure payment processing solutions that are specifically designed to handle the challenges of contractor payment processing.
Measures to Reduce the Risk of Chargebacks
One of the biggest challenges that contractors face when it comes to payment processing is the high risk of chargebacks. Chargebacks can be costly and time-consuming, but National Processing has implemented measures to reduce the risk of chargebacks. They use advanced fraud detection and prevention tools to help protect your business from fraudulent chargebacks. Additionally, they offer chargeback alerts and dispute resolution services to help you manage any chargebacks that do occur.
Flexible Payment Options
Another advantage of National Processing for contractors is their flexible payment options. They understand that contractors have different needs when it comes to payment processing, so they offer a variety of payment options to suit your business. From mobile payments to virtual terminals, National Processing has the tools you need to accept payments quickly and easily. They also offer competitive pricing and transparent fees, so you can be sure that you are getting a good deal.
National Processing is an excellent choice for contractors who need to accept credit card payments from customers buying contractor products. They offer fast and secure payment processing solutions, advanced fraud detection and prevention tools, flexible payment options, and competitive pricing. By choosing National Processing, you can ensure that your payments are processed quickly and efficiently, so you can focus on what matters most – running your business.
For more information, visit the National Processing website or call (385) 777-1235.
Frequently Asked Questions: Merchant Contractors Credit Card Processing
Merchant accounts for contractors are financial services that enable contractors and construction businesses to accept credit card and electronic payments from their clients. These accounts facilitate secure and convenient payment processing for construction projects, home improvement services, and other contractor-related transactions.
Contractors often deal with project-based payments, varying invoice amounts, and the need for mobile payment solutions while on-site. Specific merchant accounts for contractors cater to these unique needs and offer solutions tailored to the construction and contracting industry.
To find the best merchant account for your contracting business, consider the following steps:
a. **Research Contractor-Focused Processors:** Look for payment processors that specialize in serving contractors and construction businesses. These providers will understand your industry’s specific needs and offer features tailored to contractors.
b. **Check for Mobile Payment Options:** Ensure that the merchant account provides mobile payment solutions, such as mobile card readers, to facilitate on-site payment processing for your clients.
c. **Compare Transaction Fees:** Assess the processing fees, transaction rates, and any other costs associated with each potential merchant account. Choose a provider with transparent and competitive pricing that aligns with your business’s size and project volume.
d. **Verify Payment Flexibility:** Look for a merchant account that supports invoicing and recurring billing if your business requires it for ongoing projects or subscription-based services.
e. **Consider Integration with Project Management Software:** If you use project management software or invoicing tools, ensure that the merchant account can integrate seamlessly with these systems for streamlined operations.
While contractors can use regular merchant accounts offered by mainstream providers, specialized accounts that cater to the unique needs of the construction industry are often more suitable. Regular accounts may not offer the same level of mobility and features required by contractors.
Different types of contractors (e.g., general contractors, electricians, plumbers) may have specific payment processing needs. Consider the specific requirements of your contracting business when choosing a merchant account, such as the ability to accept payments for various services or handle project progress payments.
The time it takes to set up a merchant account can vary depending on the provider and your contracting business’s specific circumstances. Typically, the process can take a few days to a couple of weeks. Initiating the application process early can help ensure a smooth setup.
Yes, many merchant account providers offer contactless payment options, such as tap-and-go cards and mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Accepting these payment methods can enhance the convenience for your clients and improve on-site payment processing.
Yes, specialized merchant accounts for contractors typically support both one-time transactions for individual projects and recurring billing for ongoing services or subscription-based contracts.
Carefully review the contract terms and fees of potential merchant account providers to identify any hidden costs. Watch out for setup fees, monthly minimums, and any other charges that might impact your overall costs.
Yes, in most cases, contractors can switch merchant account providers if they are not satisfied with the service or find a better fit for their contracting business. However, be mindful of any contractual obligations and potential termination fees that might apply.
Finding the best merchant account for your contracting business can significantly impact your payment processing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Take the time to research and compare different options to choose a provider that aligns with your specific needs and offers the best solutions for contractor-related transactions.
Cody
I’m reaching out to express my sincere appreciation for your in-depth and enlightening article on “Best Merchant Accounts for Contractors”. As a professional contractor, your guide has been an indispensable tool, helping me to understand and navigate this complex area.
Your detailed analysis of each merchant account, highlighting their unique benefits, potential limitations, and distinctive features, was expertly done. You have a knack for simplifying intricate topics, making them easily digestible and accessible for readers like me.
I particularly appreciated your emphasis on crucial aspects such as transaction fees, customer service, and security measures. Your insights into the unique needs of contractors, such as handling variable payments, managing mobile transactions, and integrating with project management software, were particularly beneficial.
Your guide is clearly a product of deep research, time, and expertise. Your dedication to providing accurate, up-to-date, and practical information has greatly simplified the typically complex decision-making process, enabling professionals like me to make informed choices.
Thank you once again for your significant contribution to this field. Your hard work, dedication, and expertise are deeply appreciated.
Brad
I could take a 2X4 across my current processor! Hopefully, these will be better.