You did the work. Now get paid.
Debt recovery for tradies and business owners.
Debt recovery for tradies and business owners.
Unpaid invoices are more than frustrating. They affect your cash flow, your ability to pay staff and suppliers, and the time you should be spending running your business.
If the reminders have been ignored, the excuses keep coming, or your customer has simply stopped responding, it may be time to stop chasing and start recovering.
Good Law QLD helps tradies and business owners recover money they are owed, practically, commercially and without unnecessary legal drama.
READY TO CHASE AN UNPAID DEBT?
Talk to Good Law QLD today.
You’ve already done your part.
You quoted the job. You supplied the goods. You turned up. You did the work. You sent the invoice.
And now you’re spending your evenings sending messages asking someone to pay money they already owe you. Sound familiar?
You shouldn’t have to become a full-time debt collector just to get paid for your own work.
Whether it is one stubborn invoice or a growing ledger of overdue accounts, we can help you work out the most effective way forward.
Debt recovery for Queensland businesses
We assist with unpaid debts including:
- unpaid trade invoices;
- building and construction debts;
- unpaid labour and materials;
- outstanding accounts;
- unpaid professional fees;
- goods supplied but not paid for;
- business-to-business debts;
- contractual payment disputes;
- payment plans that have fallen into arrears;
- customers who have stopped responding;
- disputed invoices;
- debts owed by companies; and
- enforcement of judgments and court orders.
Whether you are a sole trader, subcontractor, family business, or established company, we can help you assess what you are owed and what recovering it is likely to involve.
For tradies: stop spending your nights chasing invoices.
You’ve spent all day on the tools. The last thing you want to do at 8:30pm is send another message or email saying, "Hey mate, just following up that invoice..." again.
And again. And again.
If a customer has had the invoice, received the reminders, and still hasn’t paid, another polite text message might not be the answer.
Sometimes a formal demand from a solicitor is what is needed to make it clear that the debt is no longer being ignored.
We can help with debts owed to:
- builders;
- electricians;
- plumbers;
- carpenters;
- landscapers;
- concreters;
- painters;
- tilers;
- earthmoving contractors;
- mechanics;
- fabricators;
- suppliers;
- subcontractors; and
- other trade and construction businesses.
You focus on the next job. We’ll help deal with the last one.
For business owners: cash flow matters.
A sale is not really a sale until you have been paid. One overdue invoice may be irritating. Ten overdue invoices can become a serious cash-flow problem.
If accounts receivable are starting to become accounts unreceivable, early intervention can make a difference.
Good Law QLD can assist with both individual debts and recurring debt recovery matters, helping businesses develop a clearer process for dealing with overdue accounts.
That can include:
- reviewing the debt and supporting documents;
- issuing formal letters of demand;
- negotiating payment;
- documenting payment arrangements;
- commencing court proceedings where appropriate;
- obtaining judgment;
- considering enforcement options; and
- providing strategic advice where the debtor disputes liability.
“They say they don’t owe it.”
Not every unpaid invoice is straightforward. Customers may allege:
- defective work;
- incomplete work;
- delays;
- variations were not authorised;
- the invoice exceeds the quote;
- goods were defective;
- another person was responsible for payment;
- there was no contract;
- they already paid;
- they are entitled to a set-off; or
- they simply dispute the amount.
That does not necessarily mean the debt cannot be recovered.
We can review the contract, quote, invoices, variations, emails, text messages, photographs, and other evidence and help determine the strength of your position before significant legal costs are incurred. Because sometimes the most valuable advice is not simply “we can sue them.”
It is knowing whether doing so makes commercial sense.
How debt recovery works
1. Tell us what happened.
Send us the key documents, including your quote or contract, invoices, relevant emails and messages, and details of any dispute.
2. We assess the debt.
We consider what is owed, whether liability is disputed, what evidence is available and the most practical next step.
3. We demand payment.
Where appropriate, we can issue a formal letter of demand setting out the debt, the basis upon which it is claimed and the timeframe for payment.
4. We negotiate where it makes sense.
Sometimes the fastest commercial outcome is payment in full. Sometimes it is a properly documented payment arrangement. Sometimes court proceedings are necessary.
We help you decide which path makes sense.
5. If they still won’t pay, we discuss the next step.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include commencing proceedings, obtaining judgment and considering available enforcement options. You remain in control of how far the matter goes.
We don’t want you spending $10,000 to chase $5,000.
Debt recovery should be commercial. Before recommending significant legal action, we consider matters such as:
- the amount of the debt;
- the evidence supporting it;
- whether the debtor genuinely disputes liability;
- the likely legal costs;
- whether the debtor appears capable of paying;
- the prospects of recovery; and
- whether there may be a faster commercial resolution.
The objective is not litigation for the sake of litigation. The objective is getting your money back where it is commercially sensible to do so.
Why Good Law QLD?
Practical advice.
We explain your options in plain English and help you understand the commercial realities of pursuing the debt.
Business-minded.
We know that a technically correct legal strategy is not always the best commercial strategy.
Litigation capability.
If a matter cannot be resolved and court action becomes necessary, we can advise you about the next steps.
Local Queensland lawyers.
Good Law QLD assists businesses across Queensland from our Sunshine Coast practice.
No unnecessary legal theatre.
Clear advice. Clear strategy. Clear next steps. That’s it.
Don’t let an overdue invoice become a bad debt.
The longer an invoice remains unpaid, the harder recovery can become.
If the customer has stopped responding, broken promises to pay or is disputing an invoice you believe is properly due, now may be the time to act.
Send us the invoice. Tell us what happened. We’ll help you work out what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
Can you send a letter of demand for me?
Yes. Where appropriate, a solicitor’s letter of demand can formally set out the amount claimed, the basis of the debt and what will happen if payment is not made.
What documents should I send you?
Ideally:
- the quote, contract or purchase order;
- invoices;
- variations;
- terms and conditions;
- relevant emails;
- text messages;
- photographs;
- proof the goods or services were supplied;
- previous payment reminders; and
- any response from the debtor.
If you do not have everything, speak with us anyway. Many business arrangements are documented across emails, messages, and invoices rather than one formal contract.
What if the customer disputes the invoice?
We can assess the dispute and the available evidence before recommending the next step.
Can you recover a small debt?
Potentially. However, the amount owed needs to be considered against the likely cost and practical benefit of pursuing it. We will help you consider whether recovery is commercially worthwhile.
Can you help with multiple overdue accounts?
Yes. If unpaid invoices are an ongoing issue within your business, speak with us about a more systematic debt recovery process.
Can I recover my legal fees from the debtor?
That depends on the circumstances, including the terms of your agreement and any court proceedings. We can advise you about costs once we have reviewed the matter.
Still sending “just following up…” emails?
Hand it over.
Information on this page is general information only and is not legal advice. The appropriate recovery process will depend upon the circumstances of each debt.
Talk to Good Law QLD
Ready to chase an unpaid debt?
Tell us a little about your matter. Our team will review your enquiry and contact you to discuss how we can help.
0494 089 332
info@goodlawqld.com.au
Simply good advice,
for a simply good life.
Please do not include bank account details, tax file numbers or identity documents in your initial enquiry.