Whether you're a builder, electrician, designer, or consultant — if you completed the work and the client won't pay, a formal Letter Before Action is your most powerful first move.
Most unpaid contractor cases follow the same pattern. The job goes well — or at least, there are no complaints while it's in progress. Then comes the invoice. Suddenly there are “concerns about quality”, requests for revisions that weren't in scope, or simply silence.
This isn't a genuine quality dispute in most cases — it's a delay tactic. The solution is to move from informal chasing to formal legal pressure. The Letter Before Action cuts through the noise because it introduces a consequence: court proceedings if payment is not made within 14 days.
Important: Verbal agreements count
You don't need a written contract. WhatsApp messages agreeing the price, emails confirming the scope, or photos of completed work are all valid evidence. If the client received the work and didn't raise a formal written complaint at the time, your position is strong.
Work completed
You finished the job to the agreed standard and handed over on time.
Invoice sent
A final invoice was submitted with the amount due clearly stated.
Payment overdue
The payment date passed with no payment or a vague excuse about it being processed.
Chasing ignored
Calls, texts, emails — all unanswered or met with delay tactics.
Letter Before Action
Turning pointYou send a formal legal demand. This is the turning point.
Contractor disputes span every trade and service sector. Here are the most common cases we see.
Builders, bricklayers, plasterers, roofers — completed domestic or commercial work with payment now overdue or disputed.
Electrical installation or plumbing work completed to standard, with the client using minor snagging as a reason to withhold full payment.
Graphic designers, web developers, photographers, videographers — work delivered and approved before payment was disputed.
Software developers, IT consultants, data analysts — typically clear digital deliverables and strong documentary evidence trails.
Management consultants, HR advisors, financial consultants — professional time billed and delivered without full payment received.
Subcontractors working on commercial or domestic builds where the main contractor is withholding payment beyond what is contractually permitted.
Instant download
Stop chasing informally. Get a professionally prepared Letter Before Action for contractor disputes — for £99. Ready to send today.
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