Construction & Trades

Builders and tradies: recover unpaid invoices fast

Chasing progress claims, final invoices, or retention money? Send a free, lawyer-backed letter of demand today — designed for the construction industry.

Send free letter — construction debt SOPA & your rights
✓ Works for progress claims ✓ Retention money disputes ✓ Subcontractor invoices ✓ No sign-up required
The problem

Construction has Australia's worst payment culture

Average payment terms in Australian construction are 65 days — more than double the 30-day standard in other industries. Principals routinely delay progress claims, dispute final invoices without cause, and hold retention money beyond practical completion.

A formal letter of demand is the fastest intervention. It puts the principal on notice that you know your rights under the Security of Payment Act (SOPA) and are prepared to enforce them — without immediately triggering expensive adjudication.

65
Average payment days in construction
1 in 3
Tradies experience payment disputes annually
$3.5B
Unpaid subcontractor invoices in Australia each year
80%
Disputes resolved without court when LOD is sent

How it works

1

Enter invoice details

Upload your invoice or payment claim. ABN verified automatically. Takes 5 minutes.

2

Letter sent today

Lawyer-backed PDF generated and emailed to the principal or contractor. You get a copy.

3

Automated follow-up

Day 7 and Day 14 reminders. Day 21: lawyer referral if still unpaid. SOPA adjudication option available.

Construction debt types we handle

Unpaid progress claims

Progress invoices that have been submitted but not responded to within SOPA timeframes (10 business days for non-residential).

Final invoice disputes

Principals withholding final payment pending disputed variations or defects. A formal demand triggers the dispute resolution process.

Retention money

Retention not released at practical completion or at the end of the defects liability period. Enforceable by letter of demand or SOPA adjudication.

Variation disputes

Variations completed but not approved. Document the variation in writing — a letter of demand can include variation amounts as part of the total claim.

Subcontractor invoices

Head contractors withholding payment to subcontractors. Both head contractors and subcontractors have rights under SOPA.

Equipment hire

Unpaid plant and equipment hire invoices. Same process as a standard unpaid invoice — letter of demand first, escalation if ignored.

Send a free letter now

Construction debt: your questions answered

Can I use SOPA instead of a letter of demand? ▼
SOPA (Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 NSW) gives subcontractors and head contractors the right to adjudicate payment claims without going to court. A letter of demand can run in parallel — it's faster, free, and often resolves the matter without formal adjudication. If the LOD doesn't work, SOPA adjudication is the next step.
What is a payment schedule under SOPA? ▼
Under SOPA, a respondent (principal or head contractor) must issue a payment schedule within 10 business days of a payment claim (non-residential) or 15 business days (residential). Failure to provide a schedule means the full claimed amount is payable. A letter of demand highlights this obligation.
Can I recover retention money with a letter of demand? ▼
Yes. Retention money is a debt once the defects liability period expires and no valid claim has been made. A letter of demand demanding release is legally appropriate — and often effective without needing court action.
Do I need a solicitor to use SOPA? ▼
No, but adjudication under SOPA is a formal legal process. Our lawyer partners can assist with SOPA claims, particularly for amounts over $50,000.

Stop waiting to get paid

Send a lawyer-backed letter of demand to your principal or contractor today. Free, takes 5 minutes.

Send free letter — construction debt