How to Chase an Unpaid Invoice as a Freelance Developer

Why freelance developers get paid late

• Timesheets have to be approved before the invoice can be paid, and approval stalls.
• Invoices go to a procurement portal and sit unnoticed in a queue.

How to get paid: advice for freelance developers

• Invoice weekly on day-rate work so you are never more than a few days exposed.
• Keep repository access, deployment credentials or IP transfer conditional on payment.
• Use the Companies House checker on new clients — especially early-stage startups.

A chasing timeline that works

1. 3 days before due: a friendly heads-up.
2. 1 day overdue: a polite reminder.
3. 7–14 days overdue: a firm reminder and a phone call.
4. 30 days overdue: a final notice with a deadline.
5. Still unpaid: a letter before action, then a small claim if needed.

Your legal options

Your clients are businesses, so the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 applies to every late invoice: you can add statutory interest (8% + base rate) and £40–£100 fixed compensation per invoice, even if your contract doesn't mention it. Calculate what you can claim.