Construction Debt Recovery for UK Businesses
Recover unpaid construction invoices, stage payments, retentions and subcontractor debts with a practical approach built around your documents, the payment history and the debtor’s position.
Construction debts are rarely just “an unpaid invoice”
Payment may depend on an application, valuation, certificate, milestone, variation or retention clause. The debtor may also raise deductions, defects or set-off after payment falls due.
We first work out what is due, why it is due and what evidence supports it. That helps us separate a genuine dispute from simple delay or avoidance.
Common construction debts we can assess
We review the documents behind the balance before deciding how the debt should be pursued.
Unpaid construction invoices
Completed work, labour, materials or services that remain unpaid after the agreed due date.
Interim and stage payments
Applications or milestone payments delayed despite work having progressed.
Retention money
Retention sums that should have been released after completion or the defects period.
Final-account balances
Agreed or largely agreed final balances that remain outstanding.
Variations and additional works
Authorised extra work supported by instructions, emails, site records or acceptance.
Supply and plant-hire debts
Unpaid charges for materials, plant, equipment, transport or hire.
Subcontractor payment delays
Repeated promises, approval delays or cash-flow excuses instead of payment.
Wrongful deductions or set-off
Deductions that appear late, unsupported or inconsistent with the contract.
Adjudication award recovery
Unpaid adjudication awards that may require specialist enforcement support.
What we look at before taking action
A clear evidence pack helps us understand the debt quickly and challenge common payment excuses.
A clear five-step recovery process
We keep the process focused: identify the debt, test the dispute, contact the debtor and escalate only where justified.
Confirm the debtor
Check the correct company, trading entity and contact details.
Confirm what is due
Review the contract, invoices, applications and payment terms.
Check the dispute
Assess deductions, defects, valuation issues and counterclaims.
Pursue payment
Use focused telephone and written recovery action.
Escalate carefully
Consider formal demand, court or enforcement only where appropriate.
Choose the right recovery route
The best route depends on the evidence, dispute status, debtor’s solvency and value of the debt.
Commercial recovery action
Direct calls and written demands can resolve clear debts without immediate legal action.
Explore commercial debt recovery →Letter Before Action
A formal demand can set out the amount due, supporting basis and deadline for payment.
Read about Letters Before Action →County Court claim
Court action may be considered where the debt remains unpaid and the claim is proportionate.
Read about County Court claims →Statutory demand
Potentially suitable only for a clear, due and undisputed company debt.
Read about statutory demands →High Court enforcement
May be available after judgment where the debtor has not paid.
Read about High Court enforcement →Winding-up petition
A serious insolvency route that requires careful legal and commercial assessment.
Read about winding-up petitions →When the debtor says the invoice is disputed
Some debtors raise vague complaints only after being chased. Others have a genuine issue over value, defects, scope or completion.
We identify what is actually disputed, whether it is supported and whether any part of the balance remains clearly due.
Can interest and compensation be added?
Depending on the contract and circumstances, you may be entitled to contractual interest or statutory interest and fixed compensation.
We check the payment terms and due dates before including additional sums in a demand.
Construction debt recovery FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we are most often asked.
Yes, where the balance is due and supported. We first confirm the contracting company, payment terms, evidence and any stated reason for non-payment.
Potentially. We review the subcontract, application, notices, valuation and whether the amount is agreed or genuinely disputed.
Yes, where the release point has been reached and the sum is supported by the contract and project records.
We check when the defect was raised, what evidence supports it and whether any part of the invoice remains undisputed.
Possibly. Useful evidence includes site instructions, emails, meeting notes, quotations and signed daywork sheets.
It can be appropriate for a clear overdue debt. The letter should accurately set out the parties, amount, basis of claim and intended next step.
It depends on the debtor’s response, the quality of the documents and whether formal action is needed. Clear debts can resolve quickly; disputed cases usually take longer.
Useful next steps
Use these guides to assess the debt and decide what to do next.
Assess the debt
Review commercial viability and identify the information needed before action.
Formal recovery options
Understand the purpose and limits of common escalation routes.
Protect the balance
Review interest, insolvency and title-related issues that may affect recovery.
Need help with an unpaid construction debt?
Send us the basic account details and supporting documents. We will review the debt, the dispute position and the most proportionate next step.