30 days payment - does this apply to builders

[Boilingfrog]

My builder who got very aggressive with me at the end of June (long story but let’s just say I don’t feel as conciliatory as I usually do) has just invoiced me for some work completed to exterior of house. I’m away until 29 August, and don’t want to pay until I see the work (I normally pay very promptly on the day work is completed for any contractor as I know chasing payment is a nightmare). Invoice date is 6 August - am I okay to pay within 30 days? Ie I will pay as soon as I see it on 29th Aug.

Whole situation is grim as he is a okay builder but very slow and I think has a bit of an anger problem... he has one more piece of work to complete inside the house which he’s now put off to November, just want to keep relationship acceptable until job completed but don’t want to pay for this bit until I’ve seen what it looks like!

If he has just invoiced you, get him to reinvoice with the correct invoice date of the 12th on it for a start.

Oh sorry - invoiced me on 6th, chasing today

Did you agree 30 days and does it state that on the invoice?

Eh no, it just says payment immediate. Just going to pay it.

Well you cant pay it before you have seen it.

Is there someone else local that can go and have a look for you that you trust?

Was work completed on the invoice date? If it was it's not the builders fault you are away for so long. Self employed workers need paying faster than 21 days in my experience. If you don't pay don't expect him to return any time soon.

Yeah my mum says it looks fine. I’ve paid it now, I agree it’s hard for self employed contractors, like I say I always normally pay same day it’s done. But he is late by months on his work, so would rather have had three weeks’ grace!

So over having building works done!