What to Do When a Customer Won’t Pay Your Invoice as a UK Tradesperson
Late and non-payment is one of the most persistent problems for UK sole-trader tradespeople. Here is the step-by-step process for recovering what you are owed, from initial reminder to court if necessary.
Step 1: Invoice with Clear Payment Terms
The foundation of getting paid is setting clear expectations upfront. Your invoices should state the payment due date (30 days is standard; many tradespeople now use 7–14 days), accepted payment methods, and a bank transfer reference. A quote that was digitally approved by the customer before work started is your strongest evidence if a dispute arises later.
Step 2: Polite Reminder When Overdue
Send a payment reminder on the day payment is due or the first business day after. Most late payments are oversight — a single reminder text or email resolves them. Keep the tone professional and factual: invoice number, amount, due date, and payment details.
Step 3: Formal Letter Before Action
If reminders are ignored, send a formal letter before action — stating the amount owed, the original due date, and a 14-day deadline to pay before you initiate court proceedings. This is a legal requirement before filing a small claims court case. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act, you may also add statutory interest (8% above base rate) and fixed debt recovery costs to B2B invoices. GOV.UK’s guidance on making a court claim explains the process.
Step 4: County Court Claim (Small Claims)
For amounts up to £10,000, the small claims track in the County Court is designed to be used without a solicitor. Filing online via Money Claims Online costs from £35. Most customers pay when they receive the court claim. If not, you can apply for enforcement — a County Court Judgment (CCJ) that damages the customer’s credit record. The HSE construction guidance is unrelated to payment recovery but the FMB provides specific member guidance on debt recovery for UK trades.
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Download CoreQuote Free on AndroidReminder → formal letter before action → County Court small claims. Most disputes resolve before reaching court. A digitally-approved quote is your strongest evidence.
Yes — for B2B invoices, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act allows 8% above base rate plus fixed recovery costs. For consumer invoices, late payment interest must be agreed in your terms.
Court fees range from £35 to £185 depending on the amount claimed (up to £10,000). For straightforward unpaid invoices with clear documentation, small claims court is accessible without a solicitor.
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