Good Contractors Shouldn't Pay the Price for Bad Ones
Good contractors deliver quality work. They fix issues when they come up. They stand behind their work.
They shouldn't get lumped in with the horror stories clients see in the news.
Here's the reality: If a contractor has been in business long enough, they've been burned. A client who changed their mind after materials were purchased. Someone who found reasons not to pay the final balance. A dispute that cost months of profit.
This story never hits the news. But it happens more than people think. And it only takes one bad job to wipe out a season's profit, set a contractor back years, or put them under.
Professional contractors can't afford to gamble. One bad situation—miscommunication, scope changes, a dispute over final details—and suddenly payment for completed work is at risk.
Why take that risk if there's a better way? CrowPay protects contractors while giving clients confidence. The relationship gets balanced, both sides are protected, and good contractors stand apart.
For Contractors
Build trust with clients and protect your payment—all while focusing on what you do best.
For Homeowners
Escrow-protected funds released only when you approve work.
For Contractors in Direct Cash-Pay Projects
CrowPay protects large cash transactions where money flows directly between contractor and client—whether homeowner or business—with no bank or general contractor in the middle.
Common projects:
- Full Remodels & Additions
- Site Work (landscaping, pools, decks, fencing, hardscaping)
- Exterior (roofing, siding, windows, doors)
- Interior (kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, basements)
Whether you're a remodeler, trade contractor, or general contractor working directly with your clients, CrowPay ensures everyone is protected.
How It Works
Setup & Secure
Create the project, invite your client, then request funds before starting.
Do the Work
Work with confidence. Issue draws, changes, and log work easily from the field.
Finish Strong
Request sign-off, finish punch tasks, and request project completion.
Finish the first job right so you can focus on the next—building the reputation that leads to better reviews and more referrals.
Funds Flow Transparently & Securely
Request & Deposit
Contractor requests funds just before starting—typically 5-10 days before work begins or materials are ordered. Client transfers securely via Stripe.
Protected with Escrow
Funds are held in FDIC-insured escrow at our partner financial institution.
Draws and Approvals
Contractor requests draws or work approvals as the project progresses. Funds release when client approves—or automatically after 14 days if no concerns are raised.
Retention
Retention releases at project completion. Retention is optional and set by the contractor—CrowPay recommends 5-10% on most projects.
Collection
Contractor collects funds from CrowPay account and transfers to their bank.
What Makes CrowPay Different
Easily manage projects from the field. Request sign-offs, respond to concerns, and communicate clearly with clients—right from your phone.
Flexible Project Structure
Structure as one item or many. Combine sign-offs however makes sense for the project.
Communication Tools to Prevent Problems
Stay ahead of client worries that often derail closeout or collection with field notes and photos.
Manage Change Orders
Seamlessly add, modify, or remove work items during the project. Client reviews and approves changes before work proceeds.
Smart Approval System
Multiple response options easily let clients approve work or give notice of item or project concerns. Work auto-approves after 14 days if no action taken, keeping projects moving.
Progressive Resolution Process
Concerns move through clear escalation levels with multiple opportunities to resolve. Only after exhausting options can either party trigger binding arbitration—forcing fair outcomes, preventing indefinite payment holds, and avoiding expensive lawsuits, attorney fees, and the stress of court battles.
Built by Someone Who's Been There
In 2004 on my first large job with someone I didn't know, I called a friend at a title company asking if I could use escrow. He said "nobody does that." Then 20 years later when getting stiffed for $40k, I called my attorney. After congratulating me for not having this problem regularly, he asked "Do you want to pay $50k to maybe collect $40k?" Since that moment I've been building CrowPay to fix the broken contractor-client relationship.
— BJ Smith, Founder & CEO
Landscape Contractor, Cache Valley, Utah
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a subscription?
Currently there is no subscription for CrowPay. Qualified contractors sign up for free and use CrowPay on projects where large amounts are at risk for the 1% escrow fee. Typically this amount is whatever is above the small claims threshold of the state.
How does CrowPay get paid?
CrowPay takes a 1% fee whenever funds are released through draws, approvals, or retention. Each fund release and its associated fee is recorded and can be viewed on the finances page when logged into CrowPay.
Who signs up? Contractors or Clients?
CrowPay registers contractor's who qualify by meeting industry and financial requirements plus state regulations. CrowPay's verified registration protects legitimate contractors and homeowners. Client's with an upcoming project should ask their prospective contractor's if they use CrowPay and encourage them to sign up for that project.
Why can't clients sign up and use it with their contractor?
Professional businesses set the terms of what they offer and how they transact business to customers. CrowPay was built by a contractor for contractors and understands in order to maintain a successful contractor-client relationship the contractor is obligated to bring clients a trusted and professional process. Qualified contractors have their own systems and should not need to rely on a client to deliver a successful project outcome. Might sound harsh, but if the roles are wrong to start it's the quickest way for a job to become problematic.
If you are a client and working with a great professional contractor, send them to CrowPay. If they are legit they will likely sign up and gladly use it, especially if you are lacking trust to begin with.
Where is CrowPay licensed to operate?
CrowPay is a licensed escrow agent in Utah. Money transmission licensing is handled state by state and CrowPay will be expanding to other states in 2026. Each project location must include an address and will only be approved in states CrowPay is licensed to operate. If you are a contractor outside of Utah, but want to use CrowPay in your state, let us know by joining the wait list here.
How does CrowPay keep my money safe?
CrowPay uses Stripe, to transfer from clients checking or savings account into a trust account held at into Cache Valley Bank, a federally licensed and FDIC bank, whose corporate headquarters is in Logan, UT. Each CrowPay client is FDIC insured up to $250,000. For projects over $250,000 Cache Valley Bank works with a partner bank network to ensure additional FDIC insurance coverage on all monies deposited into CrowPay. After work approvals funds get allocated to contractors and are then FDIC insured to the contractor up to $250,000.
Request a Demo
See how CrowPay works for your business. We'll walk you through the platform and answer your questions.
Ready to Protect Your Next Project?
Join contractors who finish strong, get paid faster, and build better client relationships with escrow-backed protection.
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