Contractors not getting paid?A practical next-step guide.
Start by confirming the balance, preserving the job records and checking deadlines. Resolve a genuine dispute with the owner; if the customer accepts the bill but needs time, discuss a payment plan. RemitRight can help with follow-up, but cannot guarantee payment or protect legal deadlines.
What to do when a customer won't pay for construction work
1. Send a clear, firm reminder
Attach the invoice and supporting work record. State the remaining balance after deposits or credits, the original due date and a reasonable date to reply. Ask whether there is a billing question or a problem with the work.
2. Offer a payment plan
For a big bill like a $40,000 renovation, "pay it all now" often gets silence. Ask whether timing is the problem. If the amount is accepted, propose a written schedule with payment dates, amounts and any fees disclosed before agreement.
3. Add a late fee — if your terms allow
Check the agreed terms and yearly-rate disclosure before adding interest. A new charge printed on a reminder is not proof of agreement. Use a calculator for an estimate, not as permission to charge. Estimate interest and check the sources.
4. Check legal deadlines immediately
Do this alongside reminders, not after exhausting them. Construction lien and court deadlines depend on the province, work and dates. A payment-plan conversation does not automatically preserve your rights. Get advice promptly if a deadline may be close. BC Builders Lien Act (other provinces differ).
Before your next message
Separate the original scope, approved change orders, progress payments and any holdback. Ask the customer to identify the exact disputed item; do not treat a statutory holdback as an ordinary overdue balance without checking its release conditions.
A payment reminder you can adapt
Hi [name], I’m following up on invoice [number] for [work], originally due [date]. After payments and credits, the outstanding balance is [amount]. I’ve attached the invoice. Could you confirm payment by [date], or let me know which item needs reviewing? If the balance is correct but timing is difficult, we can discuss a payment schedule. Thanks, [business].
Use only the customer’s appropriate contact channel. Don’t include private invoice details in public reviews, contact unrelated people or imply a legal action you have not decided to take.
What their reply means for your next step
- “I already paid.” Ask for the date and reference, reconcile the payment and pause reminders while you check.
- “The job is not finished.” Have the owner review the scope and evidence. Automation cannot decide who is right.
- “I need more time.” Agree on a realistic schedule and disclose the full cost. Avoid promises about affordability on their behalf.
- No response. Check contact accuracy and deadlines. Consider professional advice about your options rather than increasing message frequency indefinitely.
Further reading and sources
Updated September 10, 2026 by RemitRight. This guide is general business information, not legal advice about a particular job.
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