What steps do you take when a customer refuses to pay?

[Bunker]

IIRC you can't add costs or interest to a small claims procedure. What's the value of the debt?
As above, write to them asking for payment or a written explanation of their refusal to pay.

 

[Heat Kent]

You can add on court fees and you can also add interest using this calculation:
https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/work-out-interest(not that it’s worth it).

I won my last couple of cases and couldn't track down the guy who owed me money, so ended up losing my fees and cutting my losses (

 

[Heat Kent]

not sure about your admin fee though?

 

[WHPES]

Don't let anyone get away with it or you will find word gets round that people can get away without paying you.

I had a problem 4 years ago with a customer. Job was under £200. Went to small claims. Never got any money in the end but at least their credit rating was trashed.

 

[deandive]

I fitted a filling loop for a customer charged them £45 before christmas and they still haven't paid me despite numerous emails, first time its happened to me, but looking into it for such a small amount small claims court is not worth it. I may have to just take the hit on this one as I only have the tennants address and not the actual customer. I may try the increasing the bill tactic sounds reasonable enough to me.

 

[WHPES]

For small amounts with new customers I insist on payment at the end of the job and if they are hesitating I suggest if I have to fill out and post an invoice it will be more as I will have to allocate office time.