Invoice Tracker for Tradies
Tradies do the hard work — plumbing, electrical, building, landscaping — and getting paid for it shouldn't be a second job. Late payments and non-payment are among the biggest challenges facing Australian trade businesses. InvoiceGrid gives tradies a simple way to track every unpaid job, follow up professionally, and get paid faster.
Key takeaways
- Tradies lose significant income to late payments — a systematic chase process reduces average payment time
- InvoiceGrid tracks every unpaid invoice and shows you exactly who to chase each day
- The email generator creates professional reminders so you don't have to write them from scratch
- Chase history documents every follow-up — essential evidence if you ever need to escalate
Why Tradies Face Late Payments
Customers who go quiet after the job is done
Once the work is complete and the tradie has left the site, some customers deprioritize payment. Without a follow-up system, invoices age for weeks or months uncollected.
Multiple jobs on the go at once
A busy tradie might have 10–20 jobs active at any time, each at a different payment stage. Keeping track manually leads to missed follow-ups and lost income.
Disputes about the scope of work
Customers sometimes dispute invoices claiming more work was done than agreed, or that the quality wasn't right. Without documentation, resolving these disputes is difficult.
Progress and retention payments on larger jobs
Bigger construction and renovation jobs often involve progress claims and retention. Tracking which claims have been approved, paid, or are outstanding is complex.
For authoritative context, see the ATO: Getting Paid for Your Business.
How InvoiceGrid Helps Tradies Get Paid
Track every unpaid job in one place
InvoiceGrid's Kanban board shows all your outstanding invoices — from the small $500 repair to the large $50,000 renovation — all in one view.
Chase from your phone on-site
InvoiceGrid works on any device. Log a follow-up or send a reminder email from your phone between jobs — no need to wait until you're back in the office.
Professional reminder emails for every situation
Use InvoiceGrid's email generator to create professional payment reminders — from a friendly first nudge to a firm final notice before legal action.
Chase log as documentation
Log every phone call, email, and text regarding payment. If you need to go to VCAT, NCAT, or another tribunal, your chase history is documented evidence.
Important
InvoiceGrid is not an invoicing or accounting tool. It doesn't create invoices, track expenses, or handle taxes. It's the layer on top of whatever invoicing tool you already use — focused entirely on tracking unpaid invoices and chasing payment.
Payment Tips for Tradies
- Ask for a deposit (30–50%) before starting any job over $1,000 — this filters out problem clients and covers your materials cost.
- Send the invoice on the day you finish the job, not a week later — faster invoicing means faster payment.
- Include a late payment clause in your quote or contract: interest at 10% per annum on invoices more than 30 days overdue.
- For new customers, check reviews or references before starting. Protecting yourself upfront is better than chasing payment after.
Need a follow-up schedule tailored to your payment terms? Use the free plan your chase timeline tool to build a complete follow-up schedule. For calculating what's owed including penalties, try the calculate late fees and interest tool.
Other Industries
Further reading: Invoice tracking guide for tradies · Step-by-step invoice chasing guide · 12 copy-paste reminder templates
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my rights if a customer in Australia refuses to pay a tradie invoice?+
You have several options: continue to chase via email and phone (documented in InvoiceGrid), engage a debt collection agency, file a claim at the relevant state tribunal (VCAT in Victoria, NCAT in NSW, QCAT in Queensland), or take the matter to the Magistrates Court for amounts up to $25,000–$100,000 depending on the state. Always document your chase history before escalating.
Can I charge GST on late fees in Australia?+
Late payment interest or penalty charges are generally considered to be outside the scope of GST in Australia — they're not payment for a supply. However, this is a complex area; check with your accountant or the ATO for your specific situation.
What if a customer disputes the invoice claiming the work wasn't done properly?+
Document everything: photos of the completed work, any sign-off or satisfaction confirmation from the customer, and all communications. Log the dispute in InvoiceGrid's chase history. If the dispute is genuine, you may need to offer remediation — but if the work was done to specification, stand firm and escalate if needed.
Is InvoiceGrid useful for sole trader tradies?+
Absolutely. Even as a sole trader with 5–10 jobs per week, InvoiceGrid's Today View and chase history save significant time and help you follow up more consistently — which directly improves how quickly you get paid.
Can I use InvoiceGrid with MYOB or Xero?+
Yes. Generate your tax invoices in MYOB or Xero, then log them in InvoiceGrid for payment tracking and chasing. The two systems work side by side — invoicing in MYOB/Xero, collection management in InvoiceGrid.
Ready to Track Your Invoices Visually?
Stop losing track of who owes you money. InvoiceGrid gives you a visual Kanban board, chase history, and professional email reminders.