Debt Collection for Trade Suppliers in Construction: How to Recover Unpaid Invoices
Trade suppliers are the backbone of the UK construction industry but too often, they're the ones left out of pocket.
Whether you supply timber, plumbing materials, electrical components, aggregates, or general building supplies, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of late or unpaid invoices. Customers take the goods, promise to pay, and then… nothing.
In this article, we’ll explain how to get your money back quickly, professionally, and without the stress using a no collection, no commission debt recovery service tailored to trade suppliers.
🚧 Why Late Payments Are So Common in Construction Supply
Trade suppliers often operate on 30–90 day credit terms, trusting that contractors or businesses will pay on time. But reality looks more like:
Ghosted after delivery
Partial payments with constant excuses
Disputes over delivery quantities or invoices
Customers going quiet after receiving stock
This happens across the board from building merchants to electrical wholesalers and timber yards.
💰 Your Rights as a Trade Supplier
If you’re supplying goods to other businesses, you’re protected by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
This allows you to:
Charge 8% interest + Bank of England base rate on overdue invoices
Add late payment compensation (£40–£100 per invoice)
Claim reasonable recovery costs (including agency fees)
We make sure you don’t just recover the invoice but also what you’re entitled to by law.
⚠️ When You Should Escalate the Debt
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to take action:
The account is 30+ days overdue
You’ve sent multiple reminders and been ignored
They’ve made empty promises to pay
The customer has suddenly gone quiet
You’re no longer supplying due to non-payment
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to recover the debt.
✅ How We Recover Debts for Trade Suppliers
We specialise in debt collection for UK trade suppliers and we understand the ins and outs of your industry.
We’ve helped:
Building merchants recover unpaid accounts from rogue contractors
Plumbing suppliers get paid for materials delivered months ago
Timber yards reclaim thousands from developers who went dark
Electrical wholesalers chase invoices from repeat offenders
Aggregates suppliers recover trade debts without going to court
Here’s how it works:
No collection, no commission service
Same-day case action - we start chasing your debt immediately
We add interest and compensation to what you’re owed (Only B2B)
We trace customers who’ve vanished
We escalate to legal action where needed
Most debts are resolved within days.
💬 FAQs – Trade Supplier Debt Collection
Q: What if I don’t have a signed credit agreement?
A: We can often proceed with delivery notes, order forms, emails, and payment history. A signed contract helps, but isn’t always essential.
Q: Can I recover debts even if the customer is still trading?
A: Yes and acting early is key. Don’t wait for them to go bust.
Q: Will this damage my reputation?
A: No. We act professionally and discreetly but firmly.
Q: Do I have to go to court?
A: In most cases, no. The threat of legal action is usually enough.
Don’t Let Unpaid Invoices Damage Your Business
If you're a trade supplier in the construction industry — from building merchants to timber, electrical, plumbing, or aggregates — and you’re owed money, don’t wait.
We offer specialist debt recovery for suppliers, with:
No collection, no commission service
Fast, professional action
Interest and late fees added to the debt
Legal options if needed
👉 Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat. Let’s get your money back.