Late payment letter for painters and decorators (UK)
Chase an unpaid decorating invoice without falling out with the customer. Pick the reminder stage and download the letter as a PDF.
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Not legal advice. This letter is a polite payment reminder. It does not add interest or make legal claims. For your rights when a business customer pays late, see GOV.UK: late commercial payments.
When a decorating invoice goes unpaid
Decorating is very visible work, so when payment is late it's often because the customer has spotted something they don't like: a patchy ceiling, a drip on the skirting or a colour that looks different in daylight. Ask before you chase. Fixing a small snag usually costs you an hour, while an argument about it can cost you the whole invoice.
Sometimes the reason is simpler. The customer is waiting until payday, or assumed you'd send bank details by text. A clear reminder with your payment details usually sorts it out.
Choose the stage
- First reminder: a friendly nudge with the amount, the invoice date and a new pay-by date.
- Second reminder: says how many days overdue the invoice is and offers a payment plan.
- Final reminder: firm but polite. Use it only when you've had no reply.
Colour and finish disputes
If the customer is unhappy with a colour they chose, that's different from a fault in your work. Calmly point out that the colour was their choice, perhaps with the colour name from your receipt or quote, and offer a price to repaint if they want a change.
Business customers
For commercial clients or contractors, GOV.UK explains when you can claim statutory interest and compensation on late commercial payments. This letter doesn't add interest and isn't legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
The customer says the finish isn't good enough. Should I still chase?
Go and look first. If it's a genuine snag, fix it and then chase. If you disagree, explain why in writing.
How long should I wait before sending a reminder?
A few days after the due date is fine. Keep the first one friendly.
Can I send the reminder by WhatsApp?
Yes. Download the PDF and share it like any other file. It's still worth emailing a copy too.