How to politely request late payment from a construction company client

Late payment from a construction company client usually comes down to their process, not bad faith. Here's who pays, when, what tends to hold payment up, and a polite reminder you can send today.

Who pays, and when

A project manager approves. The company's accounts team pays. Progress payments are common, and some contracts hold back a percentage (retainage) until completion.

Why payment runs late

Many wait to be paid by the property owner or main contractor before paying their own suppliers.

Tips for chasing a construction company client

• Reference the project, the phase, and any signed change orders.
• Submit invoices before the client's monthly cut-off to make that month's payment run.
• Check your contract for payment terms and any lien rights. Deadlines can be short and vary by location.

Example reminder email

Subject: Quick reminder: invoice [number] Hi [first name], I hope all's well. Invoice [number] for [amount] was due on [date]. If it's already on its way, thank you, and please ignore this. This covers the completed phase noted below, including any signed change orders. Did the invoice make this month's payment cut-off? You can pay here: [payment link] Thanks, [Your name]