90% of Construction Leaders Say Cash Flow Timing Has Cost Them Profitable Work, New Mobilization Funding Survey Finds
Commercial construction firms are finding work and pursuing growth, but many are still being forced to slow down or walk away from profitable projects when the timing of cash flow falls out of step with project costs. New research from Mobilization Funding, a provider of construction contract financing, shows that cash flow timing is shaping which projects firms can take on, how quickly they can scale, and how much pressure growth places on the business.
For the 2026 Construction Growth and Cash Flow Report, Mobilization Funding partnered with third-party research firm Censuswide to survey 250 senior decision-makers at U.S. commercial construction companies with $5 million to $50 million in annual revenue in February 2026. To better understand how upfront project costs affect growth decisions, the report examines how commercial contractors and subcontractors are managing growth, working capital and project timing.
Key Findings include:
- 90% of senior decision-makers say they have passed on a profitable construction project because of cash flow timing, including 43% who say they have done so multiple times.
- 100% say cash flow influences whether their company pursues or declines a construction project, including 57% who say it always or frequently acts as a gating factor.
- 97% say the challenge of funding upfront project costs while trying to grow has kept them up at night, including 76% who say it keeps them up always or frequently.
- The top constraint on taking on additional projects is equipment availability (28%), followed by cash flow or working capital (20%) and bonding capacity (19%).
- If capital were immediately available, 42% say it would increase speed of execution, 41% say it would reduce financial stress, and 40% say it would improve vendor relationships.
“Construction companies don’t have a demand problem as much as they have a timing problem,” said Scott Peper, CEO at Mobilization Funding. “When cash flow falls out of step with project costs, it creates real pressure on owners—the kind that keeps them up at night, running numbers and wondering how they’re going to cover payroll, materials, and the next job starting tomorrow. At the same time, firms are finding work and seeing opportunity, but when capital doesn’t arrive when the work demands it, that gap creates stress on both the business and the people leading it.”
Visit the 2026 Construction Growth and Cash Flow Reporton the Mobilization Funding website for the complete survey results and additional insights.
About Mobilization Funding
Mobilization Funding is a financial lending platform built for commercial construction subcontractors, manufacturers and small business owners. By aligning repayment schedules with project cash flow, Mobilization Funding helps clients cover upfront costs, maintain stability and achieve growth. The company partners with businesses nationwide, offering tailored loan solutions and ongoing support that empower clients to take on new opportunities with confidence.
