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Small Business Debt Recovery

Your customer owes you money.
Stop chasing. Start recovering.

Tradespeople, freelancers, and small business owners across the UK lose thousands every year to customers who simply do not pay. A professional Letter Before Action changes that — fast.

Build your document pack from £29.99 — or get a free case review from a specialist.

UK law compliantReady in 3 minutesNo solicitor needed
Built for small businessesUK law compliantProfessional Letter Before ActionFree specialist help availableInstant PDF download
The Real Problem

Why customers do not pay — and why informal chasing does not work

Most small business owners spend weeks sending polite reminders, making awkward phone calls, and hoping the customer will eventually pay. They rarely do — not because they cannot, but because there are no real consequences.

A formal Letter Before Action changes the entire dynamic. It introduces a legal deadline, references court proceedings, and signals that you are serious. Most customers pay within 14 days of receiving one.

The difference between a WhatsApp reminder and a Letter Before Action is the difference between a request and a legal demand. One can be ignored. The other cannot.

"I'll sort it next week"

Vague promises and delays are the most common tactic. Without a formal deadline and real consequences, customers keep pushing it back.

Manufactured disputes

Customers who never complained during the job suddenly raise issues when the invoice arrives. A formal demand forces them to put any dispute in writing.

Going silent

Ignoring calls and messages is easy. Ignoring a formal Letter Before Action — which references court proceedings — is a different matter entirely.

Cash flow management

Some customers simply prioritise other payments. A formal demand with a legal deadline moves you to the top of the list.

Your Situation

Which type of small business are you?

Select your situation — we will show you the typical debt range and what your recovery pack will cover.

Tradesperson not paid

You fitted a kitchen, laid flooring, or completed a building job. The customer is happy with the work but has gone quiet on payment.

Typical debt range

£800–£15,000

Debt type

TradesCompleted Work
The Process

How small businesses recover unpaid customer debts

Five steps — from identifying the debt to getting paid. Most cases resolve at step three.

STEP 01

Assess your position

Confirm the amount owed, what was agreed, what was delivered, and what evidence you have. Our guided assessment takes 3 minutes.

STEP 02

Gather your evidence

Invoices, quotes, messages, photos of completed work, delivery records. Even informal evidence — WhatsApp messages, emails — is legally valid in the UK.

STEP 03Most effective step

Send a Letter Before Action

A formal written demand is the single most effective step. It puts the customer on legal notice, sets a 14-day deadline, and signals that court action will follow. Most debts are resolved here.

STEP 04

Wait 14 days

Give the customer a clear window to respond. Many pay at this stage — the formality of a professional letter changes the dynamic entirely.

STEP 05

File at small claims court if needed

For amounts up to £10,000, the small claims track requires no solicitor. Court fees are proportionate and recoverable if you win. Our pack includes a complete next-steps guide.

Do Not Want to Handle It Yourself?

Have a specialist recover your money for you

If you would rather focus on running your business than chasing a customer, our specialist network can handle the entire process — from the first formal letter through to court proceedings if needed.

  • Free initial case review — no obligation
  • Specialist assesses your claim and advises on the best approach
  • Handles all correspondence with the customer
  • Escalates to court proceedings if the customer does not pay
  • You only pay if they recover — no upfront cost

Free review · No obligation · You only pay if they recover

What our specialists handle

Best suited cases

  • Customer invoices from £500 upwards
  • Completed work with clear evidence
  • Customers who are ignoring or delaying
  • UK-based customers
  • Pre-legal matters (no court action yet)
Prefer Specialist Support?

Prefer to use the document pack?

The structured pack from £29.99 works for all customer debt types — including smaller amounts and informal agreements.

The Document Pack Option

Everything you need to recover customer debt yourself

The Debt Recovery Pack gives small businesses a complete, professional toolkit for recovering unpaid customer invoices — without a solicitor and without the cost of professional debt collection.

Personalised Letter Before Action

A professionally worded formal demand addressed to your customer — referencing the specific debt, the agreement, and the legal consequences of non-payment.

Case Strength Report

An honest assessment of how strong your claim is — based on the evidence you have and the circumstances of the debt.

Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

Exactly what to do after sending the letter — how to respond to different customer reactions, and how to escalate to court if needed.

Evidence Checklist

A tailored list of the evidence you should gather and retain to support your claim at every stage.

Debt Recovery Pack

£29.99

One-off · No subscription · Instant download

  • Personalised Letter Before Action
  • Case Strength Report
  • Step-by-step recovery guidance
  • Evidence checklist
  • Court filing guide (if needed)
  • Instant PDF & email delivery

Prefer a specialist to handle it?

FAQ

Small business debt recovery — your questions answered

Your customer owes you money. Recover it.

Get a free specialist case review — or build your own professional Letter Before Action for £29.99. Either way, stop chasing and start recovering.