Building an Early Pay Program: What to Own, When to Partner
A candid conversation with Turner Construction's VP & Treasurer on what separates early pay programs that deliver from the ones that stall.
More GCs are paying subcontractors early, and finding that it strengthens bids, deepens trade relationships, and turns a back-office function into a margin driver. But building an early pay program and building one that delivers are two different things. In Part 2 of our Early Pay Series, a senior GC finance leader and the team behind Billd Predictable Pay get specific about how programs are structured, funded, and supported, and how to decide what to keep in-house and where a partner adds value.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · 12:00 PM CT · Under an hour
Save Your Seat
Free. Virtual. Every registrant gets the replay.
Early pay is still an open advantage
Most GCs don't offer early pay yet, and most subcontractors don't have access to it. The opportunity is real. The hard part is running a program subcontractors actually use.
24%
of GCs offer early pay programs today
28%
of subcontractors currently use one
76%
of GCs say a subcontractor's working capital position is important to the success of a project
Source: 2026 National Subcontractor Market Report
Seven questions every GC should answer before, and after, launching early pay.
Whether you're weighing your first program or trying to fix one that has stalled, this conversation gets specific about how early pay programs are built, funded, and supported, and how to decide what to keep in-house and where a partner adds value.
It's a practical walkthrough, not a sales pitch — a GC finance leader and the Billd Predictable Pay team working through the real decisions that make or break adoption. You'll come away knowing what to build, what to fund, what to keep in-house, and what to hand off.
What we'll cover:
Start with the goal
What to define before you build anything, and when a program is simple enough to run on your own.
Who actually uses early pay
Why early pay isn't only for subcontractors under financial strain, and what that means for how you position it.
Why in-house programs stall
The outreach, education, and support that GCs most often underestimate.
Optimizing the program
How to design a program around the way subcontractors actually experience their cash needs.
Funding the program
Your own cash, third-party capital, or a mix, and how that choice affects scale and continuity for your subcontractors.
What to own, when to partner
Lessons learned on what to keep in-house, what to hand off, and how to stay in control either way.
Where early pay is headed
How early pay is likely to evolve in commercial construction over the next five to ten years.
Your Speakers
A GC finance leader and the team behind Billd Predictable Pay
Chai Nakka
VP & Treasurer, Turner Construction
Leads Turner's treasury function, overseeing banking relationships, liquidity management, capital planning, cash forecasting, investments, and financial risk management for one of the world's largest construction services companies. Brings the GC finance perspective on building and growing an early pay program.
Dan Juliano
VP & General Manager, Billd Predictable Pay
Brings decades of experience in fintech and supply-chain finance, including working-capital and payment-program design at PrimeRevenue, now focused entirely on construction.
Robbie Reynolds
VP of Business Development, Billd
Works with general contractors as they evaluate, launch, and grow early pay programs. He has spent years focused on construction finance at Billd — hosting the Built With Billd podcast and publishing 40+ articles on how subcontractors and GCs manage working capital — and brings that practitioner’s view to how programs actually get adopted in the field.
Lydia Adams
VP of Marketing, Billd (Moderator)
Leads marketing at Billd, the financial partner purpose-built for commercial construction. She shapes how Billd shows up across the construction industry — from events to the Built With Billd podcast — and regularly brings GC and finance leaders to the table. Hosts the Early Pay Series and moderates the conversation.
“Billd has truly moved the needle on our early pay program adoption, something we've been striving for. They're not just running the program, they're fundamentally improving how we support our trade partners.”
— Chai Nakka, Vice President and Treasurer, Turner Construction
Who Should Attend
Built for the GC leaders who own margin, cash, and delivery
CFOs, Treasurers & Finance Leaders
How to weigh the economics, choose a funding model, and plan for a program that runs for years, not months.
Operations & Procurement Leaders
What a program asks of your teams, and how to keep subcontractors engaged without adding to anyone's day job.
GCs Already Running a Program
How to spot why a program has stalled, and what to fix first.
Learn what separates early pay programs that deliver from the ones that stall
Educational, not a sales pitch.
Event Details
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · 12:00 PM CT · Under an hour · Virtual · Free
FAQ
Is this really free?
Yes. There's no cost to attend.
Will I get a recording?
Yes. Every registrant gets the replay, so sign up even if you can't make the scheduled time.
Is this a live session?
It's a pre-recorded conversation that airs on October 21. There's no live Q&A, so if you have questions, email bpp@billd.com and the team will follow up.
Do I need to have watched Part 1?
No. Part 1 covered what early pay is and how it creates margin for GCs. Part 2 stands on its own and goes deeper on building, funding, and running a program.
Who is this for?
General contractors, including finance, treasury, operations, and executive leaders, whether you're considering early pay, running a program today, or looking to improve one.