Every tradie has dealt with it. You finish the job, send the invoice, and… nothing. Calls get dodged, emails get ignored, and suddenly, the client who was in a rush for the job isn’t in a rush to pay.
Chasing payments takes time and energy that should be going into real work. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to recover your money. Here’s how to deal with clients who won’t pay and, more importantly, how to avoid them in the first place.
What to Do If a Client Won’t Pay
If an invoice is overdue, don’t wait too long to act. The longer you let it slide, the harder it is to recover.
Follow Up (Firmly but Professionally) – A simple reminder might be enough, but if they ignore you, follow up with a stronger message.
Resend the Invoice with a Clear Due Date – If they claim they "never got it," resend it and include any late fees (if that was in your terms).
Call or Visit in Person – Emails can be ignored, but a direct conversation puts them on the spot.
Send a Final Demand Notice – If they still refuse to pay, a formal warning lets them know legal action is coming.
If they won’t pay after all that, you may need to escalate things legally or through debt collection.
Where to Report Unpaid Invoices
If a client refuses to pay, you can:
Lodge a complaint with consumer protection agencies (like Fair Trading or ACCC in Australia).
Take them to a small claims tribunal (most states have a simple online process).
Use a debt collection agency (they take a cut, but at least you get something).
But let’s be real—no one wants to go through that process. The better approach is to avoid working with bad clients in the first place.
How to Avoid Clients Who Don’t Pay
The best way to stop chasing invoices is to work with the right clients from the start. A few simple steps can save you a lot of trouble:
Ask for Deposits Upfront – If they won’t pay a deposit, that’s a red flag.
Set Clear Payment Terms – Make sure everything is in writing before starting the job.
Check Their History – If they’ve done this to another tradies before, you’ll want to know.
Tradespeople are already sharing these experiences with each other. Feed4Ward makes it easier. It’s a platform where tradies leave honest, verified reviews on clients—so before you take a job, you can search by name and location to see if anyone’s had payment issues with them. If you’ve been burned before, you can leave a review to warn others.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Chasing unpaid invoices doesn’t have to be part of the job. The smartest move is to avoid bad clients before they waste your time.
Feed4Ward helps tradies check client reviews before saying yes to a job. No more chasing payments, no more wasting time—just working with the right people from the start.
Want to know if your next client has a track record of late payments? Download Feed4Wardtoday.