Late payment letter for plumbers (UK)
Chase an unpaid plumbing invoice without sounding rude. Pick the reminder stage, check the wording in the preview 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.
Chasing a plumbing invoice
Most late payments aren't deliberate. A homeowner forgets, an invoice goes to an old email address, or a landlord is waiting on their tenant to confirm the leak is fixed. A calm reminder sorts most of them out, so start friendly and only get firmer if you're ignored.
Before you send anything, check the basics. Did the invoice go to the right person? Was there a snag the customer is unhappy about, like a weeping joint or a radiator that still won't heat up? If so, it's usually quicker to go back and fix it than to argue about the money.
Choosing the right stage
Send a first reminder a few days after the due date. If there's no reply after a week or two, send the second reminder, which mentions how many days the invoice is overdue and offers a payment plan. Use the final reminder only when you've had no response at all.
Landlords and letting agents
If you work for letting agents, the invoice may need to go to the agent rather than the landlord, and agents often pay in a monthly batch. Ask them how they want invoices sent before you start chasing.
What this letter doesn't do
The wording is a polite reminder. It doesn't add interest or charges and it isn't a formal letter before court action. If a business customer pays late, GOV.UK explains when you can claim statutory interest and fixed compensation. Different rules apply to householders.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I chase an unpaid plumbing invoice?
A gentle reminder a few days after the due date is normal. Keep it friendly. Most customers pay after the first nudge.
Can I add interest to a late invoice?
For business customers, the law allows statutory interest in many cases. GOV.UK explains the rules. This letter doesn't add interest. If you want to, check the rules first, and consider getting advice.
Should I send the letter by email or post?
Either works. Email is quicker. Post can feel more serious for a final reminder. Many tradespeople send both.