I'm worried they haven't the cash to pay my invoice

[rantyknickers]

Have been working for a company for the past month.

Have to invoice them monthly in arrears and then they have 30 days to pay (so effectively I'm working 2 months in arrears).

I'm nervous as I'm getting a lot of enquiries from other contractors about unpaid invoices. I'm worried they haven't got the money in the bank.

What do I do if they don't pay when the 30 days are up? I have a signed contract.

Do I refuse to do any more work for them until I have been paid?

I hate this!

Are they a limited company? If so - you could do a credit check on them?

They haven't been going long enough to have posted accounts so I'm not sure how I could run a credit check.

They have paid expenses but not the invoice (so far). Am just crossing my fingers for the next week.

You'll have to go through the small claims if they don't settle the bill. Send them a letter warning them first, give them 7 days then send another. Keep records, tell them they will have to pay costs on top of the amount owed.

Best of luck, my brother is having the same problem, some companies are really lapse.

Some companies just wait until suppliers phone them up before paying as a policy. Doesn't necessarily mean they don't have the cash to pay, they just see it as a way to improve their cashflow. Very shortsighted, but there you are.

You are likely to be at the top of the "pay quickly" list as I would imagine that they would be inconvenienced if you withdrew your labour.

Also, it is not usual for freelancers to be paid on 30 days. 7 days is more usual and most get paid as soon as they submit their invoices as companies know how much they rely on prompt payment.

If they have paid your expenses promptly I see no reason that they would not pay your invoice promptly.

What are you doing for them? I agree if it is your 'wages' then 7 days is more than enough time for them to pay up.

Do you have the ear of someone senior - that you could explain that you are getting a bit nervous as you are getting other begging phone calls from contractors and you'd like paid sharper.