Why plumbers get paid late
- Main contractors pay subcontractors only when they are paid.
- Landlords and letting agents are slow to approve invoices.
How to get paid: advice for plumbers
- Take a materials deposit on any job where parts are a significant cost.
- For domestic clients, ask for payment on completion before you leave.
- For contractors and landlords (business clients), statutory interest and compensation are available. If you are working under a construction contract, the Construction Act payment rules also apply.
A chasing timeline that works
- 3 days before due: a friendly heads-up.
- 1 day overdue: a polite reminder — a text often works well with private clients (write one).
- 7–14 days overdue: a firm reminder and a phone call.
- 30 days overdue: a final notice with a deadline.
- Still unpaid: a letter before action, then a small claim if needed.
Your legal options
It depends who the client is. For business clients, you can add statutory interest (8% + base rate) and £40–£100 fixed compensation under the Late Payment Act — calculate it here. For private clients, that Act doesn't apply: only charges in your agreed terms, if fair, can be added. Before court action against an individual (including a sole trader) you must give 30 days' notice under the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.