A contractor serving one of the country's big farm counties
Kern County is described as the fourth most productive agricultural county by value in the United States, with crops including grapes, citrus, almonds, carrots, alfalfa, cotton and roses. Across California, agriculture produced nearly $59.4 billion in revenue in 2023 and the state grows more than 400 commodity crops. Growers on that scale depend on irrigation, so contractors who drill wells, install pumps, lay pipe and service systems are part of the farm economy.
That demand is tied to the growing calendar. A failed pump in July is an emergency; a new system for an orchard can be planned well before planting.
Where the cash goes on a single job
- Mobilization. Moving a rig and crew to a site costs fuel and labor before drilling starts.
- Materials. Casing, pipe, fittings, pumps and electrical gear are purchased for the job.
- Crew. Drillers and helpers are paid weekly while the job runs.
- Subcontractors. Electrical, trenching or testing work is often paid on completion.
- Retention or final payment. Some customers hold back a portion until the system is accepted.
For illustration only: a contractor spends $48,000 on materials and crew for an irrigation build and is paid in two parts, half on start and the balance 30 days after completion. If the start payment does not cover the cost, the contractor funds the rest. These figures are an example, not our terms.
The uneven calendar
Demand is tied to planting and the dry months. Nearby farm communities such as Delano, Wasco and Shafter are part of the same county market, so a contractor based in Bakersfield may drive a rig out to a site some distance away, and fuel and travel time are part of the cost of the job. A contractor can be booked months ahead in spring and summer and then see quiet weeks in the cool season. Keeping a rig crew together through the slow weeks costs payroll, and repairing equipment between jobs adds to it. Contractors who bid several jobs at once also tie up cash in materials for the jobs they win, before they know which one will be paid first. A mid-year breakdown can sideline the most valuable machine just as the phone is ringing the most.
Matching the need to the right page
| Need | Where to look |
|---|---|
| A rig, truck or pump-puller | Equipment financing |
| Materials and wages before payment | Working capital |
| A cushion for the off-season | Business line of credit |
| Starting a contracting company | Startup business loans |
Applying
We fund from $25,000 to $5,000,000, with funding in as little as 24 hours once the file is complete. A FICO score of 500 or higher is considered, and no tax returns are required. We read about three months of business bank statements, and the application takes roughly five minutes with a soft credit pull. Sole proprietors can apply, including owner-operators with a single rig. Start here.