Late payments: the 5-step plan to get paid

An unpaid invoice is almost never a refusal

In construction, the vast majority of late invoices aren't disputed: they're forgotten, stuck in the client's pile, or victims of an "I'll pay at the end of the month" that keeps slipping. The good news: a graduated method recovers most of them without conflict.

Step 1 — The courteous reminder (day 7)

A brief, factual email with the invoice attached and the payment link: "Unless we're mistaken, invoice F-2026-0154 of 12 June (€2,340 incl. VAT) is still outstanding." No blame: nine times out of ten, that's enough.

Step 2 — The firm reminder (day 15-21)

Still polite, but precise: recall the passed due date, mention that late-payment penalties accrue automatically from the day after the due date (in France, by law, even without a reminder), offer a call if something is blocking.

Step 3 — Assert your rights (day 30)

Between businesses in France, two mechanisms apply automatically:

• late-payment penalties at the rate stated in your terms (at minimum three times the statutory interest rate);
• the fixed €40 recovery indemnity per late invoice.

Mentioning them in a reminder often changes the tempo — especially if your terms and invoices state them in black and white.

Step 4 — The formal notice (day 45)

Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, summarising the debt, the penalties and a firm deadline (8 to 15 days). It's the required precursor to any legal action, and its psychological effect is real.

Step 5 — The payment order

For an undisputed debt, the payment order procedure before the commercial court is simple, fast and inexpensive — often without a lawyer. The judge issues an enforceable order based solely on your documents: signed quote, invoices, reminders.

The real secret: automation

This plan only works if applied systematically — and that's where most tradespeople drop off, for lack of time. With Aidifis, day-7/15/30 reminders go out automatically by email, with the Stripe payment link. You only handle the exceptions.