How to chase an unpaid invoice in the UK without burning bridges

Most tradespeople are owed money right now and feel awkward chasing it. You did the work, sent the invoice, and now silence. This guide gives you a clear timeline and the words to use — professional, firm when needed, and still respectful.

A timeline that works

• Day 1 after due date:friendly reminder — “Just a heads up this invoice is now due. Let me know if you need anything from me.”
• Day 7:firmer follow-up — “I need to receive payment by [date]. Please confirm when I can expect it.”
• Day 14:formal notice — “This invoice is now 14 days overdue. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act I am entitled to charge statutory interest and a fixed compensation fee.”
• Day 30: final notice before further action — state your next step (Small Claims Court or debt recovery)

Your rights under the Late Payment Act

You do not need to have mentioned this on the original invoice. For business-to-business debts (and many domestic jobs where the customer is acting as a consumer, rules differ — check your contract), statutory rights include:

• Interest at 8% plus the Bank of England base rate (compounded daily in practice via HMRC guidance for tax purposes on your own income)
• Fixed compensation: £40 for debts up to £999.99, £70 for £1,000–£9,999.99, £100 for £10,000 and above

Most customers do not know this exists. Mentioning it calmly on day 14 often unlocks payment without aggression.

Practical tips

• Always show clear payment terms and a due date on every invoice
• Send invoices immediately — do not wait until month end
• Offer card or bank transfer via a payment link — removes the “I'll post a cheque” delay
• Keep a record of every email and message
• Stay professional — you want the money and the relationship

For year-end summaries and clean records for your accountant, see our accountant pack guide.

When to escalate

Money Claim Online (Small Claims Court) handles debts under £10,000 in England and Wales. Filing costs roughly £35–£115 depending on amount. Many people pay as soon as court papers arrive.

Before that step, consider whether the customer is genuinely struggling or simply disorganised — a payment plan in writing can be better than a burned bridge.

How Billdr helps

• Overdue invoice alerts on your dashboard
• AI-drafted chase emails in polite, firm, and final tones
• Late payment interest awareness built into your workflow
• Rebooking prompts for good customers who simply forgot

For the full picture of quotes through to tax, read the complete guide to Billdr.

Try Billdr free for 30 days — no card required. Use code 3MONTHSFREE for 3 months free when you continue. Start at www.billdr.co.uk.