Unpaid invoices for tradespeople: how plumbers, electricians and builders get paid
For trades businesses, unpaid invoices hit hard: materials are already bought and the hours are already worked. A few simple habits prevent most late payments and make the rest easier to recover.
Before the job
- Give a written quote with the price, what is included and payment terms.
- Take a deposit for materials on bigger jobs.
- Agree who pays: the homeowner, the landlord or the business.
On the day
- Invoice on completion, ideally before you leave, with a payment link or card reader.
- Take photos of the finished work in case of questions later.
- Get a quick sign-off or a thumbs-up message from the customer.
When payment is late
- Day 1: a friendly text with the invoice and payment link.
- Day 7: a short email naming the invoice as overdue with a new date.
- Day 14: a phone call. Most trades customers respond to a call.
- Day 30: a final written notice before any formal step.
Want this done for you?
Recover finds overdue invoices and quiet quotes, drafts the follow-ups, and sends nothing without your approval.
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Example text message
Hi {name}, it’s {your name} from {business}. Just a reminder that the invoice for {job} ({amount}) is now due. You can pay here: {link}. Thanks very much!
Don’t forget old quotes
Quotes that went quiet are often worth more than unpaid invoices. A short “Are you still planning the {job}? I can fit you in on {date}” message wins back a surprising amount of work.
Need wording? Get the 5 free reminder templates.
Want this done for you?
Recover finds overdue invoices and quiet quotes, drafts the follow-ups, and sends nothing without your approval.
Check my invoices free →Free. No card. Nothing is sent without your approval.
Prefer a hand? Book a $99 recovery session with a person →
Get the free chasing schedule
A one-page plan for when to send each reminder. Enter your email and it opens right here.
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Your chasing schedule
- 3 days before due: friendly heads-up with the amount and payment link.
- Day 1 late: light reminder, ask when to expect payment.
- Day 7 late: name it overdue, give a new date, offer to fix or split.
- Day 14 late: phone call to the person who approved the work.
- Day 30 late: final notice listing earlier reminders and a last date.
The wording for each step is in the 5 free templates.
More guides
- How to chase an unpaid invoice politely (step by step)
- What to do when a client won’t pay: a practical checklist
- Late payment email for freelancers (3 templates that work)
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules differ by country.