Unpaid construction invoice advice
Know where you stand before you send another chasing email, start adjudication or take legal action.
Debt Recovery Services UK
You have done the work, but the money has not come in. The other side may be delaying payment, disputing the invoice, raising defects, arguing over variations or saying the contract does not support your claim.
My Commercial Lawyers helps contractors, subcontractors, architects, consultants and construction professionals review the facts, contract and evidence before deciding the next step.
Share the issue, invoice, contract and key facts so the team can review whether this is something they can help with.
Is this the right page for you?
This page is for you if you are dealing with an unpaid invoice linked to construction work.
You may be a:
Contractor
Subcontractor
Architect
Developer
Consultant
Construction business owner
Supplier linked to a construction project
Construction professional
You may be dealing with:
- An unpaid construction invoice
- Delayed stage payments
- Retention being withheld
- A disputed final account
- Unpaid variations
- Payment applications being ignored
- A pay less notice issue
- A client refusing to pay after the work is done
- A contractor or subcontractor withholding payment
- Allegations of delay or defects being used to avoid payment
You may be thinking:
“We’ve done the work, but we haven’t been paid.”
“The job is finished, but we are still carrying the cost.”
“They keep saying they are reviewing the account.”
“Is it worth taking legal action?”
“I need clear advice before this costs us more.”
If chasing has not worked, the next step should be based on the contract, evidence and commercial value of the dispute.
An unpaid construction invoice is not always simple debt recovery
Some unpaid invoices are straightforward.
Many construction payment disputes are not.
The other side may say:
- The work was defective
- The works were delayed
- The variation was not agreed
- The final account is wrong
- A payment notice or pay less notice affects payment
- The contract does not support the amount claimed
- They are waiting for payment from someone else
- The work was incomplete
That is why unpaid construction invoices need careful review.
Before you spend money on a letter, adjudication or court action, you need to understand:
- What the contract says about payment
- Whether notices were required
- What payment applications were sent
- Whether the invoice is supported by evidence
- What the other side has said
- Whether adjudication may be suitable
- Whether the matter is worth pursuing
You do not need to guess.
You need to know where you stand.
How we help with unpaid construction invoices
My Commercial Lawyers starts with the facts, contract and evidence.
The aim is to help you understand whether the unpaid invoice can be pursued, what route may fit and what the next instruction may involve.
1. Clarify the payment issue
The team reviews what has been invoiced, what remains unpaid and what the other side has said.
This may include stage payments, final accounts, retentions, variations or professional fees.
2. Review the contract and payment terms
The contract may affect when payment is due, what notices were needed and what steps are available.
This may include JCT, FIDIC, NEC or other construction contract terms.
3. Check the evidence
The team reviews the documents that support your position.
This may include invoices, payment applications, emails, site records, valuation documents, photographs, notices and evidence of completed work.
4. Review the possible routes
The right route depends on the facts.
Possible next steps may include:
- A formal payment demand
- Negotiation
- A letter of claim
- Construction adjudication
- Litigation
- Settlement discussions
- Another route based on the dispute
Adjudication may help in some unpaid construction invoice disputes, but it is not right for every matter.
5. Make the next step clear
If the matter is suitable, the next instruction is scoped before work begins.
You should know what work will be carried out, what the fee is and what the expected timeline is for that instruction.
Unpaid construction invoice issues we can review
Unpaid invoices for completed work
If the work has been completed but payment has not arrived, the first step is to review the contract, invoice, payment terms and evidence.
Delayed stage payments
If stage payments have been delayed or ignored, the contract and payment process should be checked before action is taken.
Disputed final accounts
Final account disputes can involve valuations, variations, deductions, defects, delays and incomplete records.
My Commercial Lawyers can help review what the documents show.
Retention disputes
If retention is being withheld, the contract should be reviewed to check when release is due and whether the other side has grounds to withhold payment.
Unpaid variations
Variation disputes often turn on what was agreed, what was recorded and what the contract requires.
The evidence should be reviewed before a claim is pursued.
Pay less notice disputes
If the other side relies on a pay less notice, the timing, content and contract terms may matter.
Payment notice issues
If payment applications, notices or deadlines are disputed, the contract and correspondence need to be checked carefully.
Architect and consultant fee disputes
Construction professionals may face unpaid fees where services have been delivered but payment is delayed or disputed.
Adjudication for unpaid invoices
Adjudication can be a fast route for some construction payment disputes. The first step is to check whether it fits the contract, facts, value and evidence.
Litigation where suitable
Where adjudication is not suitable or where enforcement is needed, litigation may be considered where suitable.
Know the scope, fee and timeline before each instruction begins
My Commercial Lawyers works on a fixed fee instruction basis.
An unpaid construction invoice matter may involve more than one instruction. For example, one case may include several separate stages, such as reviewing the contract, advising on the payment position, preparing a formal response, starting adjudication or taking litigation steps where suitable.
Each instruction is scoped before it begins.
This means you know:
What work will be carried out
What the fee is for that instruction
What the expected timeline is
What is included
What is not included
What may need a separate instruction later
This helps keep the process clear and reduces the risk of confusion about fees, scope or timing.
The aim is clear advice, clear scope and practical next steps before you spend money on the wrong action.
Clear advice before you spend more money
When an invoice is unpaid, it can feel natural to send another chasing email or threaten action.
But the next step should match the contract and evidence.
My Commercial Lawyers helps you understand:
- Whether the invoice is supported by the contract
- Whether payment is due
- Whether notices affect the position
- Whether the other side has a valid dispute
- Whether adjudication may be suitable
- Whether litigation may be needed
- Whether the matter is worth pursuing
- What the next instruction may involve
The goal is not to make every unpaid invoice formal.
The goal is to help you take the right next step.
My Commercial Lawyers is authorised and regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
What Happens After You Enquire
Share the invoice, contract and key facts
You do not need to know the legal route before you enquire.
Start by sharing what has happened.
1. Complete the website form
Tell the team about the unpaid invoice, who owes the money and what has happened so far.
2. Join your Trello matter board
After submitting the form, follow the instructions to download Trello and join your matter board.
This gives the team one place to collect the key facts, documents and updates.
3. Upload the key documents
Share the contract, invoice, payment applications, emails, notices and any evidence of completed work.
4. Suitability is reviewed
The team reviews the facts, contract and evidence to check whether this is something they can help with.
5. The next step is confirmed
If the matter is suitable, the next step, fixed fee instruction, client care letter and invoice are arranged before work begins.
You can find out whether your matter fits before committing to the next step.
Unpaid construction invoice FAQs
What should I do if a construction invoice has not been paid?
Start by gathering the contract, invoice, payment terms, emails and evidence of completed work.
The right next step depends on the contract, value, evidence and what the other side has said.
Is an unpaid construction invoice a debt recovery matter?
Sometimes. But many unpaid construction invoices become wider construction disputes.
The other side may raise delay, defects, variations, payment notices or contract issues. That is why the contract and evidence should be reviewed first.
Can adjudication help recover an unpaid construction invoice?
Adjudication may help in some construction payment disputes, but it is not right for every matter.
The contract, facts, value and evidence should be checked before deciding.
What if the other side says the work was defective?
Defect allegations should be reviewed against the contract, evidence and project records.
Do not assume the allegation means the invoice cannot be pursued.
What if the other side is withholding retention?
The contract should be reviewed to check when retention is due for release and whether the other side has grounds to withhold it.
Can you help with unpaid architect or consultant fees?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers may be able to help architects, consultants and construction professionals with unpaid fees where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Can you send a letter demanding payment?
A formal payment demand or letter may be an option, but the right step depends on the contract, evidence and dispute position.
Can you help if we have already chased payment?
Yes. If emails, calls and reminders have not worked, the next step may need to be based on the contract and evidence.
How does the fixed fee instruction basis work?
Each instruction is scoped before it begins.
You are told what work will be carried out, what the fee is and what the expected timeline is for that instruction.
A case may involve several separate instructions.
What happens after I submit the form?
You will be asked to follow the instructions to join your Trello matter board.
This helps the team collect the facts, contract and evidence in one place before suitability and the next step are reviewed.
Contact Our Barristers & Solicitors
Get in touch with our team for trusted legal advice and support.
Whether you are facing a construction dispute, dealing with regulatory prosecution, or require expert advice on compliance issues, we are here to provide clear, strategic legal support.
reception@mycommerciallawyers.com
Phone
+44 (0) 208 087 4177
Office Address
7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
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