Feeling the Pinch? Cashflow Tips for Kiwi Tradies in Tough Times

Feeling the Pinch? How Kiwi Tradies Can Steady Cashflow and Find New Clients in Tough Times

If you’re a tradie or small business owner in New Zealand, chances are you’re feeling the pressure right now. With the economy slowing, the cost of living biting, and clients tightening their belts, it’s getting harder to keep the cashflow moving and the phone ringing.

We hear it every day—business owners telling us they’re working harder for less, struggling to fill their books, or waiting too long to get paid.

So what can you do when the market feels like it’s turned against you? At SME Financial, we work alongside Kiwi businesses to help them navigate exactly these kinds of challenges. Here are some practical thoughts to help you steady the ship.

1. Focus on Cash Before Profit

When times are tight, it’s tempting to focus only on your profit margins. But the truth is, cashflow is king. You can have great profit on paper and still run out of cash if payments are delayed or overheads get away from you.

Some key things you can do:

• Tighten up your invoicing cycle—send invoices as soon as the job’s done.
• Set clear payment terms and follow up consistently (using automated reminders where possible).
• Offer easy payment options—credit card, online payment links, or progress payments for larger jobs.
• Forecast your cashflow monthly so you can spot gaps before they become emergencies. We can help you do this in Xero. 

2. Look After Your Existing Clients First

Right now, your existing clients are your most valuable marketing tool. If they feel looked after, they’re more likely to refer you or come back for more work.

• Over-communicate. Keep clients updated, even if it’s just letting them know where they sit in the queue.
• Offer maintenance plans, follow-up calls, or small value-adds that show you care.
• Ask happy clients for reviews on Google, Facebook, or TradeMe Services—social proof is powerful.

3. Get Proactive About Finding Work

Waiting for the phone to ring isn’t enough anymore. Some simple ideas to put yourself out there:

• Make sure your website and social media are up to date and show off recent work.
• Join local Facebook community groups—be visible and offer advice, not just ads.
• Reach out to other tradies or builders for subbie work or referrals.
• Offer limited-time deals during slow periods to get cash in the door.

4. Check Where Your Money Is Going

In tough times, it’s critical to know your numbers inside out.

1. Are you pricing jobs correctly?
2. How about your overheads? Are they creeping up?
3. Are you carrying stock or tools you don’t need?

Sometimes small changes (like reviewing supplier rates, trimming subscriptions, or switching to cheaper materials where quality allows) can make a big difference to your bottom line.

We often see business owners stuck in survival mode—but having a trusted advisor to help you step back and get clarity around your finances can bring huge relief.

5. Get Help Early

You don’t have to do it alone. Many tradies wait until they’re in a hole before reaching out for help, but the earlier you act, the more options you have.

At SME Financial, we work with lots of Kiwi tradies and small businesses just like yours. We can help you with:

• Cashflow planning and forecasting.
• Job costing and pricing reviews.
• Business coaching and growth strategies.
• Tax planning to avoid nasty surprises.

The Bottom Line?

Yes, it’s tough out there—but there are always things you can control. The businesses that survive these seasons are the ones who stay sharp on cashflow, look after their clients, and stay visible in their market.

If you’d like to have a no-pressure chat about how we can help, get in touch with our experienced team today.

Together we can achieve more.