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Good Chaser Journal

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Practical advice on unpaid invoices, difficult payment conversations and getting paid for work you’ve already done.

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Payment Reminders

Payment Reminders

What to Say When a Client Hasn't Paid an Invoice (UK)

Confirm the due date, amount and agreed payment terms before contacting the customer.

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Payment Reminders

Second Payment Reminder Email: What to Write When the First Is Ignored

Refer to the first reminder and state when it was sent so the follow-up is part of a clear record.

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Payment Reminders

How to Chase an Overdue Invoice Without Losing the Customer

Separate the customer's value as a future client from the need to settle an existing debt.

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Payment Reminders

How to Write a Firm but Polite Overdue Payment Email

Firmness comes from exact figures and a clear request, not accusations or aggressive language.

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Payment Reminders

How to Ask for Payment Without Sounding Rude

Being direct about an agreed payment is a professional business action.

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Late-Payment Rights

Late-Payment Rights

Final Demand for Payment Letter UK: What to Include

Set out both parties, the invoice, the goods or services delivered, the amount outstanding and the contractual due date.

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Late-Payment Rights

Final Payment Reminder Before Legal Action: UK Wording

A final reminder should remain factually accurate about the debt and your intentions.

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Late-Payment Rights

Can You Charge Interest on an Overdue Invoice in the UK?

Check whether the debt is commercial and whether contract terms specify interest.

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Late-Payment Rights

UK Late Payment Compensation: £40, £70 and £100 Explained

Fixed compensation can be available for qualifying commercial late payments.

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Late-Payment Rights

How to Calculate Interest on a Part-Paid Commercial Invoice

Reconcile the unpaid principal by date as each part payment is made.

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Late-Payment Rights

What Evidence to Keep for an Unpaid Invoice in the UK

Preserve the quote, acceptance, contract and invoice.

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Templates & Payment Scenarios

Templates & Payment Scenarios

Overdue Invoice Letter Template for UK Small Businesses

Choose a template only after checking the original invoice, agreement and recipient details.

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Templates & Payment Scenarios

How to Write a Payment Demand Letter Without a Solicitor

A demand letter can be prepared personally if the transaction and amount are clear.

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Templates & Payment Scenarios

How to Reply When a Customer Disputes an Invoice: Template

Ask the customer to identify specific disputed amounts, work or terms.

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Templates & Payment Scenarios

How to Request Remittance Advice from a Business Customer

If the customer says they paid, ask for the payment date, value and reference.

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Templates & Payment Scenarios

Free Gentle First-Reminder Email Template for an Overdue Invoice

Begin with the client's name and a neutral subject line containing the invoice reference.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Core Invoice Chasing

Client Ignoring Invoice Emails? Here's Your Next Step

Confirm that the recipient and email domain are correct and that attachments were not blocked.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Customer Promised to Pay but Hasn't: What to Write Next

Refer to the exact promised date and the person who gave it.

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Core Invoice Chasing

First Payment Reminder Email: A Simple UK Example

A first message should normally assume administrative delay where no dispute is known.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Third Payment Reminder Email: What to Say After Two Follow-Ups

Reference the previous two communications and the dates they were sent.

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Core Invoice Chasing

How to Ask a Customer for a Definite Payment Date

Avoid an open-ended request that invites 'soon' as the entire answer.

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Core Invoice Chasing

How to Chase an Unpaid Invoice by Phone

Prepare the invoice number, amount, due date and previous email history before calling.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Customer Missed an Invoice Instalment: What to Write

Refer to the written payment arrangement and the instalment due.

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Core Invoice Chasing

A Friendly Invoice Reminder After a Week: What to Say

Check whether the invoice is actually overdue under the agreed terms.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Client Asked for More Time to Pay an Invoice: How to Respond

Ask for a specific revised schedule instead of agreeing to 'later'.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Customer Made a Part-Payment: How to Chase the Remaining Balance

Record the amount received, payment date and invoice allocation.

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Core Invoice Chasing

When to Stop Sending Invoice Reminders and Choose a Next Step

Stop repeating the same message when it produces no new information.

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Core Invoice Chasing

Invoice 90 Days Overdue: Organise the Facts Before Escalating

At three months, reconcile every payment and possible credit.

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Overdue Invoices

Overdue Invoices

Invoice 30 Days Overdue: What Should You Do?

At thirty days, reconstruct the agreed payment date rather than relying only on the invoice issue date.

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Overdue Invoices

Invoice 60 Days Overdue: How to Escalate Payment Requests

At sixty days, reconcile the ledger and record any partial payments.

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Overdue Invoices

Unpaid Invoice After Three Reminders: What Happens Next?

Repeated identical messages seldom add information or pressure.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Freelancers & Sole Traders

Freelance Client Won't Pay: A Practical UK Guide

Collect the brief, quote, acceptance, delivery record and correspondence before escalating.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Self-Employed and Not Been Paid for Work? What Next?

Start by identifying who contracted for the work and the agreed payment conditions.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

How to Chase an Unpaid Invoice as a Sole Trader

A sole trader should identify the correct debtor: an individual, limited company or another legal entity.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Freelance Client Has Not Paid the Deposit: What to Do

Check whether the deposit was a condition before starting work or merely the first payment.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Web Designer Client Not Paying? Handle the Handover and Invoice

Separate payment milestones from access, hosting and ownership provisions.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Copywriter Unpaid Invoice: Deal with Drafts, Revisions and Sign-Off

Gather the brief, draft submissions, feedback and approval or acceptance record.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Photographer Chasing a Late Balance or Cancellation Fee

Review the booking agreement, deposit, date and cancellation provisions.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Freelance Writer Not Paid: Check the Commission, Edits and Kill Fee

Locate the accepted commission, deadlines and payment terms.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Graphic Designer’s Final Invoice: Handling Approval and Source Files

Identify each approved milestone and any outstanding revision round.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Virtual Assistant Chasing an Overdue Client Invoice

Reconcile logged hours, approved tasks and reimbursable expenses.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Photographer Has Not Received the Booking Deposit: A Practical Check

Confirm the client accepted the booking terms and deposit requirement.

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Freelancers & Sole Traders

Tutor Has an Overdue Invoice: Agreeing Fees with a Parent

Check the agreed fee, lesson attendance and cancellation policy.

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Industry Payment Problems

Industry Payment Problems

What to Do When a Business Customer Refuses to Pay an Invoice

Ask the customer to state exactly what they dispute in writing.

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Industry Payment Problems

Agency Client Has Not Paid the Monthly Retainer

Identify which service period and deliverables the retainer covered.

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Industry Payment Problems

Commercial Cleaning Company Chasing an Unpaid Invoice

Confirm the dates, site, agreed cleaning schedule and client sign-off.

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Industry Payment Problems

Invoice Rejected for a Missing Purchase Order Number

Ask which purchase order or reference is required for the finance system.

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Industry Payment Problems

Business Customer Says the Invoice Is Still in Approval

Identify the named approver and current processing stage.

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Trades & Construction

Trades & Construction

Builder Customer Refusing Final Payment: Check the Work and Terms

Check the agreed scope, variations, completion evidence and any snagging list.

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Trades & Construction

Electrician with an Unpaid Domestic Invoice: A Fair Way to Follow Up

Confirm the quote, accepted extras and completed work.

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Trades & Construction

Subcontractor Unpaid by a Main Contractor: What to Check

Review the subcontract payment application and contractual timetable.

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Trades & Construction

Unpaid Construction Variations: Proving the Extra Work Was Agreed

Reconstruct who authorised the variation and when.

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