Chasing money is the worst part of being a tradesperson. You've done the work. You've sent the invoice. Now you're standing in the supermarket wondering whether to buy the good bread because someone hasn't paid you yet.
The problem isn't usually that customers refuse to pay. It's that they forget, they're busy, or they're waiting for you to remind them. A well-timed, well-worded payment reminder solves most late payment problems.
Here are five templates you can copy and paste right now — one for each stage of chasing. We've written versions for WhatsApp, email, and text because different customers respond to different channels.
Template 1: Due Date Reminder (Day 0)
Send this the day payment is due. It's not chasing — it's a helpful nudge. Most people appreciate the reminder.
WhatsApp / Text:
Hi [Name], just a quick reminder that invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount] is due today. You can pay by bank transfer to [sort code / account number]. Thanks! — [Your name]
Email:
Subject: Invoice [INV-0001] — payment due today
Hi [Name],
Just a quick reminder that invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount] is due today. I've attached the invoice again for reference.
Bank details for payment:
[Sort code] / [Account number]
Reference: [INV-0001]
Thanks,
[Your name]
Tip: Keep it short and neutral. No apologies (“sorry to bother you”). You're not bothering anyone — you're asking for money you've earned.
Template 2: Polite Follow-Up (3 Days Late)
Three days late isn't unusual. Life gets in the way. This message assumes good faith but makes it clear you've noticed.
WhatsApp / Text:
Hi [Name], I hope you're well. Just following up on invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount] which was due on [date]. Could you let me know when I can expect payment? Happy to resend the invoice if needed. Cheers, [Your name]
Tip: “Could you let me know when I can expect payment?” is powerful. It asks for a commitment, not just a vague acknowledgement.
Tired of doing this manually? mNudge handles it on WhatsApp.
Template 3: Firm Reminder (7 Days Late)
A week overdue. Time to reference your payment terms and make it clear this isn't just a friendly check-in.
WhatsApp / Text:
Hi [Name], invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount] is now 7 days overdue. As per our agreed terms, payment was due on [date]. Could you arrange payment this week please? If there's an issue, let me know and we can discuss. [Your name]
Email:
Subject: Overdue invoice [INV-0001] — 7 days past due
Hi [Name],
I'm writing regarding invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount], which was due on [date] and is now 7 days overdue.
I'd appreciate it if you could arrange payment this week. If there's a problem with the invoice or you'd like to discuss payment, please get in touch.
Bank details:
[Sort code] / [Account number]
Reference: [INV-0001]
Thanks,
[Your name]
Tip: “If there's an issue, let me know” shows you're reasonable. But you're still asking for payment this week, not “whenever you get a chance.”
Template 4: Urgent Notice (14 Days Late)
Two weeks. The tone shifts. You're now referencing your legal right to charge interest on late payments (which you have under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998).
WhatsApp / Text:
Hi [Name], invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount] is now 14 days overdue. I haven't received payment or heard back from you. Please be aware that I'm entitled to charge statutory interest on overdue invoices. I'd prefer to resolve this directly. Could you please arrange payment within 48 hours? [Your name]
Tip: Mentioning your legal rights isn't aggressive — it's factual. Most customers pay immediately once they realise interest can be charged.
Template 5: Final Notice (21 Days Late)
Three weeks. This is your last message before you escalate — whether that means a formal letter before action, a debt recovery service, or small claims court.
WhatsApp / Text:
Hi [Name], this is a final notice regarding invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount], now 21 days overdue. If payment is not received within 7 days, I will need to take further action to recover this debt, which may include statutory interest and recovery costs. Please contact me urgently to arrange payment. [Your name]
Email:
Subject: FINAL NOTICE — Invoice [INV-0001] — 21 days overdue
Dear [Name],
Despite previous reminders, invoice [INV-0001] for £[amount] remains unpaid. This invoice was due on [date] and is now 21 days overdue.
If I do not receive payment within 7 days from the date of this message, I will have no choice but to pursue formal debt recovery action. This may include statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed recovery cost of £40 (as permitted under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998).
I would prefer to resolve this matter directly. Please arrange payment immediately or contact me to discuss.
[Your name]
[Your business name]
[Your phone number]
Tip: Use “Dear” instead of “Hi” in the final notice. The formality signals that this has moved beyond a casual reminder.
General Tips for Payment Reminders
- Always include the invoice number and amount. Don't make them search for it.
- Be direct.“Please arrange payment” is better than “I was wondering if maybe you could possibly look at this when you get a moment.”
- Never apologise for asking.You did the work. The money is owed. There's nothing to be sorry about.
- Keep records.Screenshot or save every reminder you send. If it ever goes to court, you'll need to show you made reasonable efforts to collect.
- Be consistent.Same schedule, every customer. Don't chase some people harder than others.
Or Let mNudge Send Them Automatically
These templates work. But you still have to remember to send them. You have to check which invoices are overdue. You have to type out the message. You have to hit send when you'd rather just get on with your next job.
mNudge sends these messages automatically. When you create an invoice through mNudge, it tracks the payment status and sends progressively firmer reminders on schedule — from friendly nudge on the due date through to final notice at 21 days.
Your customer sees a professional message from your business. You see a notification when they pay. You never have to write an awkward “just checking in” message again.