Guides › Trades paperwork guide › How to Chase an Unpaid Invoice (UK Tradespeople) – Reminder Schedule · Updated 26-10-2026
How to chase an unpaid invoice as a UK tradesperson
Chase an unpaid invoice early, in writing and on a fixed schedule: a friendly reminder the day it falls due, a firmer one after a week, then a final notice with a date. Most late payers are disorganised rather than dishonest, and a clear routine gets you paid without losing the customer.
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Before you chase: is the invoice right?
Check the invoice shows a clear due date, your bank details, a description the customer will recognise and the right amount. A surprising number of “late” invoices are simply missing a detail or went to the wrong email address. See what a UK invoice needs.
A reminder timeline that works
- Due date: a short, friendly message: “Just a reminder that invoice 1043 for £640 is due today. Bank details are on the invoice. Thanks again for the work.”
- 7 days overdue: resend the invoice and ask when you can expect payment. A direct question gets a date.
- 14–21 days overdue: phone. Many problems get solved in a two-minute call.
- 30 days overdue: a final written notice with a payment date and what happens next.
Business customers: statutory interest
If your customer is a business, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act lets you claim interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed compensation amount that depends on the size of the debt. It does not apply to private householders. Many traders mention it in their final notice rather than claiming it straight away.
Private customers
For householders, rely on clear terms agreed before the work: deposit, stage payments and a due date. If a debt stays unpaid, there are small-claims routes through the courts; get advice before you start one.
Stop it happening again
- Take a deposit on larger jobs and invoice in stages.
- Invoice the same day the job finishes, while the customer is happy.
- Keep a list of invoices with a status that flips to Overdue automatically, so nothing slips. Our invoice tracker guide shows the formula.
Keep it in one place
The Trades Business Kit creates invoices from your estimates and shows open and overdue jobs in the job tracker, so you know who to chase on Monday morning. For income and tax records, see the simple bookkeeping spreadsheet.
FAQ
Can I charge interest to a homeowner?
The statutory late-payment interest applies to business-to-business debts. For private customers, only what was agreed in your terms applies.
Should I stop work if a stage payment is late?
Your terms should say what happens. Agreeing that before the job starts is far easier than arguing about it halfway through.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a practical guide. For a specific debt, get advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice.