Quick facts: Washington
- First
- Know your cash position for the next 13 weeks
- Then
- Find the leak: leads, booking, price, cost, collections
- Behind on taxes
- Ask the agency about a payment plan early
- Serious debt
- Talk to a CPA and an attorney before deciding anything
Fees, rules and rates change, often on July 1 and January 1. Verify every item with the responsible agency before you rely on it.
Short answer: Start with cash: list what comes in and goes out for the next 13 weeks. Then find the leak, which is usually one of five things: not enough leads, calls not booked, prices too low, costs too high, or money not collected. If you are behind on taxes, contact the agency about a payment plan before it escalates. If debt is serious, talk to a CPA and an attorney before you decide anything.
Updated October 12, 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm with the agency named on this page.
Searching this means things are hard. It is fixable more often than it feels. Work in this order.
1. Know your cash
Build a 13-week cash flow. It shows exactly when the money runs short.
2. Find the leak
- Not enough calls: getting more leads.
- Calls but no jobs: booking rate.
- Jobs but no profit: pricing and the break-even calculator.
- Profit on paper, no cash: getting paid.
- Spending too much: marketing spend.
3. Behind on taxes or bills
Call early. See options when you are behind on taxes and bills.
4. Serious debt
See bankruptcy and the alternatives, and finding a CPA. Free advising: SBDC and SCORE.
Where Contractor Lane Operator fits
Operator includes a business recovery path: a debt and obligation inventory, a cash position, and a comparison to prepare you for a conversation about consolidation or restructuring with your CPA, lender or attorney. It does not give legal or bankruptcy advice; it gets your numbers ready so the professional's time is worth it. $79 a month, cancel anytime.
General education, not legal, tax or financial advice. Talk to a licensed professional about your situation.
Want it handled, not just explained?
Operator is the AI business coach for contractors.
A business audit and a plan, an online mentor you can ask any time, team training for your crew, and deadline reminders. $79/month, any state, cancel anytime.
Common questions
What should I do if my contracting business is struggling?
Build a 13-week cash flow, find which of five leaks is the problem (leads, booking, price, cost, collections), contact agencies early about any tax debt, and talk to a CPA and attorney before any major decision.
Where can a struggling contractor get free help?
SCORE offers free mentoring and the SBDC offers no-cost advising. Both can review your numbers with you.