Late payments are one of the biggest frustrations in the trades. You've done the work, done it well, and now you're waiting — sometimes weeks — for money that's already yours. Here are five practical changes that make a real difference.
1. Send the invoice the moment the job is done
This sounds obvious, but most tradespeople batch their invoicing — doing it in the evening or at the weekend. By then, the client has moved on mentally. The job is complete, the problem is solved, and paying for it has slipped down their priority list.
Send the invoice while you're still on site, or in the van before you leave. The job is fresh, the client is pleased, and the psychological moment to pay is now. On Earnhouse, you can convert a completed job to an invoice in two taps.
2. Make payment effortless
If your client has to write a cheque, find your sort code, or log into online banking and type in a reference, they'll do it "later." Later often means never, or at least not promptly. A direct payment link in the invoice email — where they click, enter their card details and it's done in 30 seconds — removes all friction. Card payment rates are higher than bank transfers for a reason.
3. Set clear payment terms upfront
Quoting is not just about price. Your quote should state clearly when payment is due. "Payment due upon completion" or "7 days" is unambiguous. "Net 30" is standard in commercial work but unnecessary for domestic jobs — and often just gives clients a reason to delay. Put it in writing, in the quote, before you start.
4. Ask for a deposit on larger jobs
For jobs over a few hundred pounds, a 25–50% deposit is completely standard. It covers your materials, commits the client, and gives you a psychological anchor — someone who's already paid you half is much more likely to pay the rest promptly. Be matter-of-fact about it: "I take a 50% deposit before I order parts — here's the link."
5. Follow up the same day, not a week later
If an invoice hasn't been paid by the due date, follow up that day. A short, friendly message ("Hi, just checking you received the invoice — let me know if you have any questions") works better than a formal chasing email. The longer you leave it, the more awkward it gets — and the lower your chance of payment.
Combined, these five changes can cut your average payment time from weeks to days. The technology to do all of this exists. The main thing stopping most tradespeople is inertia.