I hired a company to do a $106,000 job. They never asked for a deposit and didn’t even send a bill until eight days after the job was done.
My company asks for a 30% deposit and we send the foreman to the job with a bill for the balance to present when the crew completes the job so he can collect payment the day it is completed.
We pay suppliers in a week or two to keep our payables down and be in good graces with them to get the best terms possible, and if we ever need a favor they are there for us.
Cash is grease for the machine. Get paid faster.