We are the prime contractor. The client pays us, and we pay you. That order matters, so here it is in plain terms.
You are paid within 7 business days of the client paying us for your work.
Most of our clients are government agencies, and government payment terms usually run net-30 to net-45 from our invoice — sometimes longer. So plan on that overall timeline. What we control is our end: once the money lands, you are paid inside 7 business days, and that is written into the agreement rather than promised informally.
What this means for you, stated plainly: you carry the labour and materials in the meantime. That is a real cost and we are not going to describe it as a benefit. It is the trade for work that arrives already sold, with no client to chase and no contract paperwork to carry.
So it is not a surprise later: if the client specifically disputes your work and holds back that part of the payment, payment for that disputed portion pauses until the dispute is settled. Everything not in dispute is paid on the normal 7-business-day terms.
Send your invoice within 10 calendar days of finishing a milestone, or monthly in arrears for time-and-materials work. Include the job reference, dates of service, a description of the work, hours and rates where they apply, and receipts for any approved expenses.