Get Paid Faster: How to Take Credit Card Payments on Your Phone as a Contractor

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That’s another job finished. You wipe the sweat off your face and hear the customer say, “Do you take cards?” You pause. You were expecting a check.

But you have to deposit the check, which’ll take time to clear. What if you could skip the hassle? You can make life easier for both you and your customer by taking card payments right from your phone before you pack up.

In this guide, we’ll show you how.

You’ll learn what mobile payment solutions are, why they matter for small contracting businesses, and how to set one up. We’ll walk through security concerns and quick tips to help you get paid faster and work smarter.

Here’s how to accept credit card payments on your phone.

An Introduction to Mobile Payment Solutions

Mobile payment concept, hands holding smartphone and credit card

Mobile payment solutions let you take credit cards on the spot. You don’t need a separate terminal, either. It all takes place on your phone via an app or a small card reader.

Tools like Square and PayPal Point of Sale make this simple.

You connect a card reader to your phone (or use tap to pay) and bring up the invoice. Your customer pays then and there.

Funds show up in your account fast, too, often within one to two business days. Some tools even offer instant transfers for a fee.

Why does this matter for contractors like you? Because most of your clients live on their phones.

They bank on their phones. They buy groceries, book vacations, and pay bills—all on their phones.

When you show up to do a job and say, “You can tap right here to pay,” you’re making their life easier.

Easier payments = better customer experience. That’s a huge win.

Fifty-two percent of customers will switch to a competitor after one bad experience. Not taking cards or fumbling around with paper invoices? That can feel clunky and look unprofessional.

Meanwhile, offering a smooth, modern checkout is something they’ll remember in a good way. It shows you’re organized and in step with what clients expect in 2025.

The Benefits of Accepting Credit Card Payments on Your Phone

Right now, contractors are under pressure. Tariffs on imported building materials like lumber and flooring could push project costs up.

That squeezes your margin unless you find other ways to stay efficient and stand out. Every small edge matters.

One of the simplest things you can do is update your payments process. Get it right, and you enjoy the following benefits.

Better Cash Flow Without the Wait

Mobile payments let customers pay on the spot. The funds hit your account within a day or two.

If you’re still invoicing by email and waiting a week (or more) to get paid, you’re floating labor and materials longer than you should. That can throw off your schedule and strain your budget, even more so when multiple jobs overlap.

Easier Experience Means Happier Clients

People remember when things were effortless.

Mobile payments meet people where they are—on their phones, with their wallets already digitized. That kind of frictionless experience builds trust. It shows you run a modern, reliable business.

In contrast, a bad payment experience can undo an otherwise great project.

Win More Jobs with Broader Payment Options

Some clients prefer to pay by card. They might want to track expenses, use points, or finance large purchases with flexibility.

If you don’t accept cards, you’re putting a wall between your service and their preferred way to pay. That’s a fast way to lose leads to competitors who do.

Fewer Missed or Forgotten Payments

Mobile payment apps let you create and send digital receipts instantly.

You’re not chasing anyone down. Everything gets logged, and both sides have a record. That reduces uncomfortable follow-ups and avoids situations where a client “thought they paid already.”

Position Your Business as Professional

Image is important. It shapes your reputation.

If you’re handing over handwritten invoices or saying, “Cash only,” it can make you look less established.

Accepting mobile payments sends a different message. It shows you’re prepared and streamlined. 

Step-by-Step: How to Start Accepting Credit Card Payments on Your Phone

Credit card reading device attached to mobile phone

Before you can take card payments from a job site or driveway, you’ll need a few basics in place.

Here’s your startup checklist:

A smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)
A mobile payment app or invoicing app that integrates payments (like Joist)
A business bank account to receive your funds
A mobile card reader (some apps offer tap to pay without one, but readers may help in low-signal areas)
A clear understanding of the fees each app charges

Once you’ve got those ready, follow these steps.

1. Choose the Right Mobile Payment App

Pick an app that fits the way you work. Some apps are simple and free to start. Others offer better tools for scheduling, invoicing, or syncing with your books, but may cost more per payment.

Here’s what to look for:

Fee structure (flat rate or tiered)
Speed of payouts
Device compatibility
Customer support quality
Extra features you actually need (like invoicing or recurring payments)

2. Download the App and Create an Account

Go to the App Store or Google Play. Search for your chosen payment app and install it. Open it, then follow the prompts to create your account.

You’ll need to enter:

Your business name
Business type (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.)
Your legal name and social security number or employer identification number (EIN)
Contact details and billing info

The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Some apps ask for identity verification before they approve your account, so have your ID ready.

3. Link Your Business Bank Account

Once you’re approved, connect your business bank account so you can receive payments.

In the app’s settings, look for “Payouts,” “Transfers,” or “Banking.” Enter your routing and account numbers carefully.

Some processors send a test deposit to confirm the link. This might take one to two business days.

4. Customize Your Payment Settings

Go into your app’s settings and edit how payments work for you.

Options to review include:

Set taxes for local rates
Choose default payment types (card, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Enable receipts (text or email)
Adjust payout timing (daily, weekly, or manual transfer)

5. Understand Your Fees

Each processor charges a fee per transaction. This is usually a flat percentage per swipe or tap. Sometimes, the fee is higher for keyed-in payments.

Factor this into your pricing. It’s better to know now than feel surprised later.

Also, check if the app charges extra for things like:

Instant transfers
Chargebacks
Subscription features

6. Test a Payment Before You Go Live

Do a quick test payment before your first job. Charge a small amount to your own card (or a friend’s), then refund it.

This helps you:

Confirm the setup works
See how receipts look
Check how fast funds arrive

You don’t want to troubleshoot while a client is watching.

7. Sync the App with Your Existing Tools

If you already use software for accounting or invoicing, look for ways to integrate it.

When everything works together like a well-oiled machine, you save hours of admin time and cut down on errors.

To save even more time, consider an app that integrates payments and is made specifically for contractors, like Joist. Then, everything you need is in one app.

Security Considerations for Mobile Payments

Closeup of card tapping on phone to make mobile payment with laptop in background

Taking credit card payments by phone is fast and easy. But it does come with unique security concerns.

Mobile devices get targeted by malware that can steal credit card numbers and passwords.

Android phones are at a higher risk, too. Norton reports that half of all banking malware goes after Android users. That doesn’t mean Android is unsafe. It just means you need to be smart about how you use it.

On the job, your phone handles scheduling, messages, and, now, payments. If it gets hacked or lost, your client’s card details are at risk.

Even with strong security features like biometric logins and data encryption, mobile payment systems can still be vulnerable. That’s why many businesses now use mobile device management (MDM) tools to catch and block malicious apps.

In addition, data breaches happen when someone breaks into the device or software and grabs what they shouldn’t. To reduce that risk, payment apps use tokenization (which replaces card numbers with a temporary token) and encryption (which scrambles data so it can’t be read during transfer).

These protections work well, but only when you back them up with smart habits. Here’s how to stay secure.

1. Use Trusted Apps from Reputable Sources Only

Download your mobile payment app from official app stores—never third-party sites. Before installing anything new, check reviews and find out whether the developer is legitimate.

Skip apps with weird permissions or no company behind them.

2. Keep Your Device Locked and Updated

Always lock your phone or tablet with a strong PIN, fingerprint, or face ID. If you lose it—or it gets stolen—that barrier gives you time to act before any damage is done.

Keep your operating system and payment app updated. Most updates fix bugs or patch holes hackers could use to get in.

3. Enable Notifications for Every Transaction

Turn on real-time payment alerts. This helps you catch any strange activity the moment it happens.

If something looks off, freeze transfers. Contact your processor’s support team right away.

3 Tips to Make the Most of Mobile Payments

You know how to accept credit card payments on your phone. Make the most of it with these tips:

Tell your customers you take cards. Add a note on your quotes, invoices, business cards, and even your truck.
Offer more than one way to pay. Some clients want to tap a card. Others use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or even PayPal. The more options you support, the fewer obstacles between you and getting paid.
Charge your reader and phone with your tools every night, and pack a backup cord just in case.