Stage 1 was due Friday. It is Wednesday. You are already hanging doors on stage 2 because the kitchen is open. That is how unpaid jobs become bigger unpaid jobs. The time to stop was before the next expensive materials hit the van.
A working rule
| Situation | Stop? |
|---|---|
| Deposit never landed, kit not ordered | Do not start |
| Stage invoice overdue, next stage is labour | Warn, then stop |
| They are one day late, always pay | One reminder, then judge |
| Site unsafe if you walk | Make safe, then go — photograph it |
| Final invoice after handover | You already finished; chase, do not snag for free |
INV-140 (£4,000 stage 1) was due Friday and has not landed. I will not start stage 2 or order the kitchen until it clears. I’ll make the opening weathertight this afternoon and pause. Happy to restart the day after the transfer shows.
Write the pause on the quote up front when you can: work continues when the previous stage is paid. Then the WhatsApp is pointing at paper, not a mood. This is not legal advice about liens or walking off a live site — if it is already a dispute, get advice before you do anything dramatic.
What people miss
Stopping without a warning. One written date. Then they cannot say they did not know.
Leaving the house open. Make safe. Photo. That is still your name on the street.
Doing “just the tiling” because you are there. That is stage 2. That is the mistake.
Threatening to strip out work already fitted. Do not play games with their house. Pause, chase, get advice.
Related guides
FAQ
- What if they pay half of the stage?
- That is a short payment. Do not start the next stage on a half. Agree the remainder first.
- Domestic job with no stages?
- Deposit before special kit. Final invoice on completion. If they will not pay the final, you are chasing, not still working.
- Will I lose the job?
- You might. You will also stop losing a bigger job. Unpaid work is not a relationship.
- Main contractor pressure to keep going?
- Your quote said paid stages. Point at it. Their programme is not your overdraft.
