Getting an overdue invoice paid!

TWIGLET1234

Without going into too much detail- Husband worked as a subcontractor for a larger building firm on a "per week" basis, labour only. He had to travel a fair way but got offered a long run of work closer to home, so advised the contractor that he was going to go and work on another job. The building firm then arranged to collect company tools and belongings from my husband. A few days later, we submitted the invoice for the final week of work. The building firm did not pay when it was due, and when pressed they said there were some issues with the work. We asked for a detailed explanation so that we could attend to the issues and then be paid. One week later, we still had not received any explanation so chased again. They have given a photo of a very minor issue which would take a couple of hours to address, but have said they don't want my husband back to fix it but will instead instruct someone else to carry out repairs and recharge it to my husband in the form of deduction from his invoice. We suggested that this "fix" would only be a small fix and not equate to the value of the invoice. They then have said there are other issues and they are waiting to be told what they are! It seems to me, that they are creating issues to avoid paying the last invoice. Any suggestions on how to approach this? My husband has resigned himself to writing this off, but I don't think it's fair. They can basically make up anything they like as being wrong in order to avoid paying!

tacpot12

It's not fair if there they are making up the issues to avoid paying. If your husband is thinking about the potential to do more work for this company in future, I would advise him to chase for money he is owed hard. You don't want them to think you are a pushover; you need them to understand that you will play hardball if they mess you around. He should also make it clear that he is prepared to undertake the remediation. Even if he doesn't get paid, it would be  worth pursuing the company for an explanation of what was wrong with his work. If he needs to improve some aspect of his work, it is better that he finds this out now, rather than later. 

Thrugelmir

Read up the debt collection process. Fairly straightforward to undertake oneself. 

Mistral001

How is your husband "pressing" this firm.  If it is only by emails and telephone calls, it is unlikely to get results.  He needs to go in person to the site or the head office or both and be persistent.  

Barry_Bear

If it's a legitimate invoice it could be worth using First Report credit check service http://www.firstreport.co.uk they offer a free debt recovery which sends a payment demand on your behalf. Their website says this normally gets a response, not surprisingly!

oz0707

Money claims online. Just get it done. Might not get you the money depending on how painful the firm are and could result in burning your bridges.