Angela Jeffery's job description as an office manager for West Wales Electrical Solutions now apparently includes 'reluctant debt collector' and 'payment plan architect.' She's been spending so much time chasing payments and working out installment plans for struggling customers that she's twice had to drag clients to small claims court in Carmarthenshire to get what the company is owed.
Over in Cardiff, tree surgeon Dom Meletti of DLM Tree Services faces a daily grilling on his fixed prices, because apparently nothing says 'arboricultural expertise' like haggling over hedge trimming. His polite refusals to cut rates somehow work 90% of the time, which suggests the haggling may be more of a hobby for some customers.
These aren't isolated sob stories. A Direct Line Group survey of 500 tradespeople found that over 53% report an increase in late payments compared to a year ago, with 68% actively chasing overdue invoices. Nearly a quarter are juggling four or more unpaid invoices simultaneously, and the average write-off stands at £1,646 per tradesperson. Direct Line's Mark Summerville called the situation 'deeply demoralising,' which is corporate-speak for 'this is a nightmare.'
Angela tries to be understanding, noting that 'some customers have lost their jobs or loved ones,' which makes it hard to prioritize paying the electrician. Her company now offers hourly payment plans and has shifted from estimates to firm quotes because customers want to know exactly how much pain their wallet will endure before committing to rewiring or solar panel installation.
The survey paints an even grimmer picture: tradespeople are owed an average of £2,023 each in late payments, 42% have written off debts over £500, and a fifth have abandoned chasing invoices over £1,000. Some now demand proof of funds before starting work, take 50% upfront, or charge late fees. The UK government has announced measures to tackle late payments after data showed over 1,000 small businesses shut down monthly due to this issue.
But not everyone is suffering. Self-employed plumber Gavin Shopland, 51, who's been working in Cardiff since 2009, describes his customers as 'good as gold.' He credits loyalty and fair pricing for his prompt payment streak, proving that while the economy may be a dumpster fire, some people still know how to pay their plumber on time.