Why would a tradie not take my money?

[Haruka]

Professional trader, has done some work on my house yesterday and completed the work to a good standard. Great reviews online, did what he came to do, left everything as he was supposed to.

No mention of pay bar the agreed price beforehand; I asked him for his details again after he'd finished yesterday and he said he's send them to me, together with pictures of the work he's done. He left late, so I thought he'd send me the details later that day or today.

I have since found an image of his work done on his social media, but still nothing about payment. I sent him another text today asking for bank details so I can pay him. No reply.

I know people often have to chase for payment, and I just cannot think of a reason why he won't send me his details so I can pay him for the job he has done?

We had similar recently. Turns out he sent all invoices at the end of the month.

A couple of our regular tradies often send us invoices weeks after the work they have done too. I guess it's when they trust the customer will actually pay promptly once they receive it and they're so busy that they just get around to the invoicing when they have some spare time.

It was only yesterday. Perhaps he just hasn’t got round to doing admin.

Okay, that's reassuring to know. My mind goes into overdrive when there's anything I'm not used to, and any trader I've dealt with in the last 2 years since I became a homeowner has been keen for me to pay as soon as possible. I'm glad it's normal they don't all ask for it there and then.

weve had various jobs done on our house by trades people or companies and the invoice usually comes in a week or two after the work has been done

He’ll just need a bit of time to check the work against the original quote and then write up the invoice. There’s more paperwork involved in being a builder than most people realise. Don’t worry, it’ll be with you in a week or so.

This was pest control, not a builder per se, so I'm not sure whether that matters?

I never knew pest control was referred to as a professional tradie! I too assumed you meant a tradesman fixing something in your home like a plumber, electrician etc.
We spent 3 yrs renovating (no pest control though). Some put the invoice through the letter box and some emailed/texted their details- but often days or even 2 weeks later.
You've tried to contact him, he knows where you live- I'd leave it. He is likely flat out and might do admin on a certain day or over the weekend.

He’s probably just not done his invoices yet. My DH is self employed and I do most of his paperwork, but I need him to give me the information first and sometimes he’s busy and doesn’t do it right away. Most of the tradesmen we know are the same. You’ll probably get it in the next week or so.

Spam folder

I often get the invoice sometime later by post when the office do their accounts.

Lots of people just hand over their timesheets etc to the office and then the office do it once a month/every two weeks.

This one is a tradie. He's worked with a builder to get into my walls (insects).

No office for an invoice as far as I am aware; he is very much working solo or in conjunction with other PC/ builder-type people.

No spam folder, I sent a text. But I'm glad it's normal. I hate owing money and prefer to get things done there and then.

I've never come across anything else, so this sets my teeth on edge.

Not in any way related to what you've asked, but I'm intrigued as to the pictures he's posted of his work. Is it just an empty room with the caption "no creepy crawlies here"?

Me too!

There’s a million reasons. Just put it in a savings account for now and wait.

No, quite the opposite. Mentioned his astonishment at just how much more the pest had increased in numbers.