When £200 Turns Into a Courtroom Drama Nobody Asked For

It all started back in January. A simple £200 invoice — the kind you send, forget about, and expect to be quietly paid in the background. A transaction so small you could almost buy the same amount in fancy coffees. Fast-forward a few months, and here we are: that innocent little invoice has gone full Hollywood drama. We’ve got evidence packs, carefully dated email chains, procedural letters with headings longer than the job itself, and the looming threat of a county court judgment (CCJ). All for two hundred quid. Spoiler alert: the legal system doesn’t care that it’s small — it loves a process, and it will milk it.

From “Friendly Reminder” to “Administrative Apocalypse”

First came the polite email: “Just checking if this slipped through the cracks?” Then came the second email: “Hey, we’re sure you’re busy, but…?” By the third reminder, politeness leaves the room and is replaced by spreadsheets, bold fonts, and phrases like “formal notice.” Somewhere in between, late fees joined the party, admin charges RSVP’d, and suddenly £200 became £275, then £300. It’s like compound interest, but for stress. And here’s the kicker: while the money owed isn’t life-changing, the paperwork required to chase it could probably power a small nation.

Reputations Don’t Bounce Back Like Rubber Balls

Here’s the part people forget: in the construction and trades world, reputations travel faster than your van on the M1 at 5 a.m. A missed invoice payment might seem like “just business,” but suppliers talk, contractors gossip, and before you know it, your name’s doing the rounds at the builders’ merchant. “Oh yeah, don’t work for them — they’re still arguing over £200 from January.” Not exactly the marketing strategy you were going for, right? In a sector built on trust and reliability, being “that client” can cost far more than any late fee.

This Isn’t My First Rodeo (and the Legal System Agrees)

Unfortunately, this isn’t my first time strapping in for the invoice-chasing rodeo. I know the process — the friendly reminders, the recorded letters, the legal forms with names like “Form N1” (catchy). Once the CCJ wheels start turning, it’s not a matter of if, but when. And the legal system? Oh, it’s efficient. It doesn’t care if it’s £200 or £20,000 — the procedure is the same, the deadlines are the same, and the impact on your credit rating is identical. Spoiler: nobody wins here, except maybe the stationery suppliers selling envelopes for all those letters.

Moral of the Story: Pay Your Bills (Seriously)

At the end of the day, paying invoices on time isn’t just about avoiding fees or CCJs — it’s about keeping things civil, professional, and, most importantly, drama-free. A quick bank transfer spares everyone the awkward follow-up emails, the extra charges, and the reputational damage that somehow always feels ten times worse than the original bill. Because really, who wants their £200 invoice starring in a courtroom drama that could’ve been wrapped up months ago with a single click?

Exactly — no one. Pay the bill. Save the stress. Move on.

Bring back honesty to the construction industry - Pay fairly and on time.

PS - it's a good job, I don't believe in naming and shaming, instead fight politely and hope for karma!