Bolster Blog

Construction payment fulfillment & automation - Facilitating payments through escrow

Written by Bolster | Nov 17, 2019 7:00:00 AM

TLDR

Payment tracking drains time and profit for builders. Bolster fixes this by using secure escrow, automated check offs, instant subcontractor payouts, and full homeowner visibility so no one has to manage payments manually again.

Construction Payment Fulfillment and Automation in 2026

Handling payments and invoices is one of the most exhausting parts of running a home building company or a medium to large renovation business. If you rely on multiple subcontractors, you already know how painful it can be to track dozens of invoices, confirm work, and make sure payments go out on time.

I recently spoke with a custom home builder who started developing luxury condos. When I asked if he planned to sell his home building company, he said, “It would be really hard to sell.” The reason was simple. Too much of the payment process depended on him personally. He managed every subcontractor and every invoice. It ate up hours, and hiring someone full time would only cut profit further.

There had to be a better way.

The Bolster Breakthrough

Bolster’s quoting engine created a new way to manage payments that removes manual work from the general contractor completely. For the first time, builders, clients, and subcontractors can use a single platform where payments move automatically and securely through a structured workflow.

Here is how Bolster’s payment fulfillment system works from start to finish.

The Consumer Deposits Funds Into Escrow

The client uploads project funds into a secure Bolster escrow account. Instead of writing checks to the general contractor and hoping everything is allocated correctly, the money stays safe and visible inside an independent account. It protects both the homeowner and the builder.

Subcontractors Check Off Their Completed Work

Every quote in Bolster is already divided into precise jobs for each subcontractor. When a subcontractor finishes their work, they receive a private link showing only their assigned tasks. They simply check off what they completed. No paperwork. No confusion.

The General Contractor Confirms Completion

Once a subcontractor checks off tasks, the general contractor gets an instant notification. They walk the work, verify it was done correctly, and approve it with a tap.

The Homeowner Approves or Aborts Payment

The homeowner receives a message describing what was completed, such as plumbing a bathroom or installing electrical outlets. They have 72 hours to abort the payment if something looks wrong. This gives consumers confidence and control without slowing down the workflow.

Automatic Payment to Subcontractors

If both the subcontractor and general contractor confirm the work, and the homeowner does not abort, the payment is sent directly into the subcontractor’s account. The general contractor receives their commission at the same time.

Everyone stays informed. Everyone gets paid faster.

Why This System Works

  • Subcontractors get quicker payouts.
  • General contractors eliminate hours of admin work.
  • Homeowners get visibility and protection through escrow.

It creates a clean, fair, and fully automated system that keeps projects moving without friction.

Powered by Bolster’s HART Engine

None of this would be possible without Bolster’s proprietary quoting engine. It is the HART of the platform, breaking every project into clear tasks and enabling payment automation that traditional software could never achieve.

Payment management has always been one of the biggest bottlenecks in construction. Bolster turns it into a streamlined, automated flow where no one has to chase invoices again. Faster payments, less stress, and complete visibility for homeowners make it a win for everyone involved.