Most business owners will deal with a late-paying customer at some point but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Unpaid invoices can seriously impact your cash flow, and chasing them down can be uncomfortable.

So, what can you do?

  1. Send a friendly reminder.

    Sometimes it’s a simple oversight. A gentle email or phone call is often enough to get things moving.

  2. Follow up with a formal notice.

    If your first reminder doesn’t prompt payment, escalate with a more formal reminder that clearly outlines the due date and any applicable late fees.

  3. Review your terms and conditions.

    Having clear payment terms in place—ideally signed before any work begins—can help protect your business and reduce misunderstandings.

  4. Consider a debt collection process.

    If you’re not getting a response, it might be time to look at your options for debt recovery.


At Chisel Consulting, we offer a clear and professional debt collection process to help support our clients in these situations. It’s about protecting your business without damaging valuable relationships.

If you’d like a copy of our Debt Collection Policy or need help navigating a tricky invoice, feel free to reach out.