How to take control of your cashflow and get paid on time

Cashflow is the lifeblood of your plumbing and heating business – yet too many business owners leave it to chance.

If you’re invoicing late, avoiding reminders, or reluctant to chase unpaid bills, you’re not just being “nice” – you’re quietly funding someone else’s business with your money. It’s like handing out interest-free loans without even realising it. And it needs to stop.

In this blog, we’ll look at how to tighten up your credit control so you get paid faster, protect your cashflow, and stay focused on growing the business – not chasing money.

Credit control isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s survival

We see it time and again. A business that’s profitable on paper but struggling with cash in the bank.

Why? Because too many jobs are waiting to be paid. And too many business owners are crossing their fingers instead of following a system.

If that’s you, it’s time for a mindset shift. Credit control isn’t just admin – it’s protection. It protects your business, your time, and your team. Without it, even good work becomes a burden if the money isn’t coming in.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire business to improve cashflow. Just stick to these three non-negotiables:

• Invoice promptly: Send your invoice as soon as the job’s done. Every day you delay is another day you’re extending credit.

• Send regular reminders: Don’t wait until things are weeks overdue. Gentle nudges (automated if possible) make a massive difference.

• Chase without apology: This is money you’ve earned. Be polite but firm. Having a script or template makes it easier and more professional.

When these steps are built into your everyday processes, chasing money becomes just another part of the workflow – not a fire drill.

Systemise it so it runs without you

It’s one thing to know what to do. It’s another to do it consistently when you’re juggling jobs, quoting, and keeping customers happy.

That’s where systemisation changes everything.

Inside The Systems Handbook, you’ll find ready-made SOPs for credit control that plug straight into your business. From how and when to send invoices, to templates for reminders and late payment chasers – it’s all laid out step-by-step.

So even if you’re flat out on the tools, you’ll have a process that gets invoices out the door, keeps cash flowing in, and takes the stress out of being paid.

Keep your cashflow healthy – without chasing all day

Running a plumbing and heating business without proper credit control is like trying to fill a bucket with holes in it. It doesn’t matter how many jobs you take on if the money isn’t coming in.

If you want a business that runs smoother, grows faster, and stops relying on late payments, start by fixing your systems.

For help with pricing, quoting, systemising or simplifying your business, drop us a message at [email protected]. Whether it’s The Quote Handbook, The Systems Handbook, or our all-in-one toolkit Business in a Box, we’ve got the tools to help systemise your operations and move your business forward. Get your copy of The Systems Handbook – https://amzn.to/4pA1WiF