Guides & tools for getting paid
Plain-English help for UK tradespeople and small businesses — written by the team behind PaySorted.
Free tools
Late payment interest calculator
If a business customer pays you late, UK law lets you claim interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate plus a fixed compensation sum. Work out exactly what you're owed.
Open →Free invoice template
Fill in your details and the invoice builds itself — with everything a UK invoice needs for a sole trader, partnership or limited company, with or without VAT. Then save it as a PDF.
Open →Letter before action template
When reminders haven't worked, a formal letter before action is the last step before court. Fill in the details and get a ready-to-send letter for an unpaid invoice.
Open →CIS deduction calculator
Work out the 20% or 30% CIS deduction on your labour and exactly what the contractor should pay you, with VAT or the reverse charge.
Open →VAT calculator
Add VAT to a price or take it off a total at 20%, 5% or 0%, plus the VAT rates that apply to building work.
Open →Day rate calculator
Work out a day rate that covers your pay, van, tools, insurance, holidays and the days you can't charge for.
Open →Hourly rate calculator
See the hourly rate you need, and what your current rate really earns you in a year.
Open →Free quote template
Build a professional quote with VAT, a deposit and your terms, then save it as a PDF.
Open →Free receipt template
Give customers a clear receipt for cash or bank payments, with VAT if you're registered.
Open →Guides
How to chase an unpaid invoice
A practical, step-by-step guide for UK tradespeople and small businesses — from the first polite reminder to a letter before action. Most invoices get paid well before the end.
Read the guide →What to include on an invoice (UK)
What a UK invoice must show depends on how your business is set up and whether you're VAT registered. Here's the full checklist — sole trader, partnership or limited company.
Read the guide →Charging interest on late payments
If a business customer pays you late, UK law gives you the right to claim interest and a fixed compensation sum. Here's how it works — and how to work out what you're owed.
Read the guide →Payment reminder templates
Copy-and-paste wording for every stage, from a friendly heads-up to a firm final reminder. PaySorted sends wording like this automatically, filled in with each customer's details.
Read the guide →How to show CIS on an invoice
If you're a subcontractor under the Construction Industry Scheme, the contractor takes tax off your labour before paying you. Here's how to set out your invoice so the numbers match.
Read the guide →VAT domestic reverse charge
Since March 2021, most construction work between VAT-registered businesses is invoiced without charging VAT — the customer accounts for it instead. Here's when it applies and what your invoice must say.
Read the guide →Invoice payment terms
The shorter and clearer your payment terms, the faster you get paid. Here's what to use for homeowners and business customers, and what the law says.
Read the guide →Customer won't pay? What you can do
Step by step, from finding out why to small claims, and what not to do.
Read the guide →How to write a letter before action
What it must include, how long to give, and the extra forms for individuals and sole traders.
Read the guide →What is Breathing Space?
If a customer enters Breathing Space you must stop chasing. What it means and what you can still do.
Read the guide →Making Tax Digital for tradespeople
Who it applies to from 2026, 2027 and 2028, the quarterly deadlines and what you need to do.
Read the guide →PaySorted vs paper invoices
An honest comparison, including when paper is still fine.
Read the guide →PaySorted vs spreadsheets
Where a spreadsheet works well, and where it starts costing you.
Read the guide →Invoicing for your trade
Plumbers
See how it works →Electricians
See how it works →Builders
See how it works →Gas & heating engineers
See how it works →Roofers
See how it works →Painters & decorators
See how it works →Carpenters & joiners
See how it works →Landscapers & gardeners
See how it works →Plasterers
See how it works →Tilers
See how it works →Cleaners
See how it works →Handymen
See how it works →Stop chasing invoices. We'll do it for you.
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