Bob · Invoice chasing
Chase unpaid invoices, the right way
For subcontractors and main contractors with invoices outside the Construction Act payment rules, such as work for homeowners. Bob works out what is owed, with interest and compensation where the law allows, then sends a reminder, a letter before claim and, if needed, prepares your court claim.
- Set and forget
- A QS in the loop
Use Bob when
- A homeowner has not paid for work on their home.
- A one-off or small works invoice is overdue.
- You want an unpaid invoice chased as a debt, with statutory interest and compensation, rather than through adjudication.
What Bob works out
What is owed on each invoice, with payments set against the oldest first.
Statutory interest at 8% a year over the Bank of England base rate, from the day after each due date, where both sides are businesses.
Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998
Fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100 for each late invoice.
Section 5A
The due date, using 30 days after the invoice where none was agreed.
Which pre-action letter applies, and when a claim can start.
The letters Bob sends, in order
Reminder
A polite reminder with 7 days to pay. Bob skips it if your accounting software already sends reminders.
Letter before claim
To a company or public body: 14 days to pay before a claim.
Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct
Or
Letter of claim
To an individual or sole trader: 30 days to reply, by post with the reply forms the rules require.
Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims
Court claim details
Once the reply time has passed, Bob prepares the amount, the interest statement and the particulars of claim for you to file on Money Claim Online.
What Bob needs from you
- Your invoices
- The payment terms, if any were agreed
- What has been paid
- Whether the customer is a business or a homeowner
When Bob hands the case to a Quantsurv QS
Bob stops chasing and hands the case to a Quantsurv QS for a dispute, possible insolvency, an arbitration clause, a contract interest term, a debt near the six-year limit, or a homeowner contract without cancellation rights.
Updates your way
Bob emails you as each step happens. Text message and WhatsApp updates are coming later. Or switch updates off and check your dashboard.
EmailOverdue to youBob sent Example Build Ltd a reminder. They have until 7 November to pay you.
- TextComing laterOverdue to you
Bob sent Example Build Ltd a reminder. They have until 7 November to pay you.
- WhatsAppComing laterPaid to you
Example Build Ltd has paid you £28,250.00. Bob has closed the case.
Questions
Can I charge interest on a late invoice?
If both sides are businesses, the Late Payment Act lets you claim interest at 8% over the Bank of England base rate and fixed compensation, unless your contract sets a fair rate of its own.
What about homeowners?
Statutory interest does not apply to consumers. Bob prepares the letter of claim for you to sign and post, as the pre-action rules require, and a court claim can ask the court for interest.
Will Bob file the court claim for me?
No. Bob prepares everything you need, and you file it yourself on Money Claim Online.
Does Bob work with Xero or QuickBooks?
Not yet. If they already send your reminders, tell Bob and Bob leaves the reminders to them.
I already send reminders from my accounting software. Will Bob chase twice?
No. Tell Bob, and reminders are left to your software: Bob starts with the formal letter.
Taking the pain out of payments.
Join the launch list and we will email you once when Bob launches.