Scaftra + Stripe: How Finish Trade Contractors Collect Client Payments Online

Contractors who bill by AIA Pay Application or direct invoice still often wait days or weeks for a check to arrive after the client approves an invoice. Chasing payments over email and phone takes time that should go toward the next job.

Scaftra's Stripe integration lets clients pay approved invoices and Pay Applications directly through the Scaftra client portal. Payment is collected and confirmed in real time, and the transaction is tied to the project record automatically.

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What this integration does

Scaftra uses Stripe as its payment processor to bridge the gap between a client approving a billing milestone and money actually arriving. Whether the contract is a residential direct invoice or a commercial Pay Application, Scaftra can generate a payment link or allow the client to pay from their portal. Stripe handles the secure card or ACH processing; Scaftra handles the project and billing context that frames every payment.

How data moves

Stripe to Scaftra

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Payment confirmationWhen a client completes payment, Stripe sends a confirmation event that Scaftra receives and records against the project billing record.
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Transaction IDStripe's unique transaction identifier is stored in Scaftra so every payment is traceable to its Stripe charge for reconciliation and dispute purposes.
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Payment status updatesStripe notifies Scaftra of status changes such as payment processing, payment succeeded, or payment failed so the project billing status stays current.

Scaftra to Stripe

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Payment requestScaftra sends the amount due to Stripe when a payment link is created for a client, based on the approved invoice or Pay Application amount.
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Client emailThe client's email address is passed to Stripe so Stripe can send payment receipts and handle card-on-file communication.
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Invoice metadataScaftra includes project name, billing period, and invoice reference in the Stripe payment metadata so transactions are identifiable in the Stripe dashboard without needing to cross-reference Scaftra.
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Billing amountThe exact dollar amount from the approved invoice or Pay Application line items is sent to Stripe, preventing discrepancies between what the client sees in Scaftra and what they are charged.

How to set it up

Connect your Stripe account
In Scaftra settings, navigate to Payment Settings and click Connect Stripe. You will be redirected to Stripe to authorize the connection using your existing Stripe account or to create a new one. Stripe's onboarding collects your business details and bank account for payouts.
Configure payment settings
Once connected, choose your default payment methods (card, ACH bank transfer, or both) and set your preferred payout schedule. You can also configure whether payment links expire and whether clients receive automatic Stripe receipts.
Enable payments on your projects
For each project, confirm that online payments are enabled in the project billing settings. You can enable by default for all new projects or toggle per-project based on your contract terms.
Send your first payment link
When a Pay Application or invoice is approved, use the Send Payment Link action in Scaftra. The client receives a link to the Scaftra client portal where they can review the billing and pay via Stripe. Payment confirmation flows back to Scaftra automatically.

What it enables

Client portal payments: Clients can pay directly from the Scaftra client portal without needing a Stripe account. They see the invoice context and pay with a card or bank transfer in a single flow.
Payment links for email billing: For clients who prefer email, Scaftra generates a Stripe-powered payment link you can send directly. The link ties back to the specific billing record in Scaftra.
Residential and commercial billing: Payment collection works for both direct invoices (residential homeowner projects) and AIA Pay Applications (commercial subcontractor billing). The billing type determines the context shown to the client, but payment processing works the same way.
Automatic reconciliation: Stripe transaction IDs and payment confirmations are stored against the Scaftra billing record, so there is no manual matching needed between your payment processor and your project management system.

Frequently asked questions

Does my client need a Stripe account to pay?

No. Clients pay through the Scaftra client portal or via a payment link. Stripe handles the payment processing in the background, but the client only sees a standard card or bank transfer form. No Stripe account is required on their end.

What payment methods does Stripe support in Scaftra?

Scaftra's Stripe integration supports credit and debit card payments and ACH bank transfers. The methods available to your clients depend on your Stripe account configuration and the country you operate in.

Are Stripe processing fees separate from Scaftra's subscription?

Yes. Stripe charges a processing fee per transaction (typically 2.9% + $0.30 for cards, lower for ACH) which is separate from Scaftra's monthly subscription. You can pass these fees to clients or absorb them depending on your billing setup.

Can I use Stripe for Pay Application payments and direct invoices?

Yes. Scaftra's Stripe integration works across both billing modes. A commercial client paying a Pay Application and a residential homeowner paying a milestone invoice both use the same underlying Stripe payment flow.

What happens if a payment fails?

Stripe notifies Scaftra of failed payments. The billing record status updates to reflect the failure, and you can resend the payment link to the client. Stripe also handles retry logic for ACH transactions depending on the failure reason.

Related on Scaftra

AIA Pay Application billing →

/features/pay-applications/

Customer payment collection →

/features/customer-payments/

Job costing and billing overview →

/features/job-costing/

What is an AIA Pay Application? →

/learn/pay-application/

What is retainage? →

/learn/retainage/

One job. One record. From the field to the books.

Bring one project onto Scaftra. We'll set up your trades, your rooms, your proof chain, and your vendor portal, and connect it to the financial system you already run.

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