Guides to getting paid
Practical, plain-English guides to getting paid for late invoices, written for UK trades, freelancers and small businesses.
Polite payment reminder email templates
Copyable emails and texts, from a friendly nudge to a final demand, with when to send each.
Read the guide →Letter before action template (UK)
What to include, 14 days for companies, 30 days and the Protocol forms for individuals. Two templates.
Read the guide →Customer won’t pay for work done?
A step-by-step plan for trades: disputes, evidence, chasing, and small claims.
Read the guide →The usual order of things
- Check the invoice is right and went to the right person.
- Send a friendly reminder, then a firmer one.
- Send a final demand with a deadline.
- Send a letter before action.
- Consider a court claim for money.
This is a guide, not legal advice. It covers England and Wales. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check your contract, and take advice from a solicitor if you’re unsure or the amount is large.
Work out exactly what’s owed
Put in the invoice amount and due date, and the free invoice checker tells you how many days overdue it is and creates dated reminder letters you can copy.
Check an invoice – freeOfficial guidance: GOV.UK – late commercial payments · Small Business Commissioner