Six days. That's how much faster NZ tradies are getting paid compared to two years ago; down from 24 days to under 18. The tradies getting invoices paid the fastest have three things in common: they invoice on the spot, make paying easy, and follow up fast.
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Low on time? Skip aheadWhen you're flat out on the tools, invoicing gets pushed to the evening or the next morning. But once you're home and the job's off your mind, it's easy to let it slide. A few days pass, and suddenly you're chasing payment on a job you finished last week.
The fix is simple, send the invoice before you leave the site. The details are fresh, it takes two minutes, and it's done. Tradify's mobile app lets you invoice from the job site, just pull up the job, check the details are right, and send it before you pack up the van.
Be specific on the description. "Bathroom plumbing repairs at Smith Street, 12 August" is clearer than "labour", the customer should know exactly what they're paying for without having to call you.
Customers pay faster when they know what to expect before the job starts. Cover these in your quote or contract:
Use a specific due date, not "net 14." A date is harder to ignore than a term.
For longer or higher-value jobs, deposits and progress payments can reduce the amount your business has to carry until the work is complete. They can also help align incoming payments with your labour, material and subcontractor costs.
Tradify lets you create progress invoices from a quote based on a percentage, fixed amount or selected line items.
Even the best customers might put off paying an invoice if the process is frustrating. Check that your payment details are easy to find and correct before sending each invoice. The fewer steps between receiving the invoice and completing the payment, the better.
One solution is to offer payment methods that suit your customers, such as bank transfer or card payments. Tradify users in NZ, AU or the UL can add online card payments directly to invoices, allowing customers to pay from their phone without searching for bank details.
Learn more about accepting card payments through Tradify.
Chasing invoices manually takes time and it's easy to let it slip when you're busy on the tools.
Set up a reminder schedule:
Keep each message short and professional. Include the invoice number, amount, due date and payment instructions, everything they need to act immediately.
Tradify can send these automatically before, on and after the due date. The follow-up happens without you having to think about it.
Find out how to set up automated payment reminders.
If an invoice hasn't been paid, don't wait. First, check the basics:
Tradify's X-Ray Vision shows whether an invoice was delivered and viewed — so you know whether to resend it or pick up the phone.
If it's overdue, follow up straight away. Ask whether it was received, what's holding up payment, and get a specific date. Keep a record of every conversation.
Read our guide on how to collect overdue payments.
Tradify keeps your quotes, jobs and invoices in one place. Invoice from your phone on-site, see when customers open invoices, and automate your reminders — so the admin gets done during the day, not after dinner.
Get started with our 14-day free trial, or jump into a free demo.