By Times Team

Copyright times

By Alistair van Schalkwyk, director of ASCO Legal in Howick

In today’s economy, it’s no secret getting paid on time can be tough, especially in the building and trades industries.

Many Kiwi tradies face delayed payments, disputes, and the constant juggle of cashflow.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure your quotes, invoices, and terms of trade are pulling their weight.

If your paperwork doesn’t tick the boxes under the Construction Contracts Act 2002, you could be missing out on key protections that come with issuing a valid payment claim.

These protections can make all the difference when a client pushes back on an invoice or simply refuses to pay.

To be valid, a payment claim must:

Be in writing.
Clearly state it’s a payment claim under the Act.
Set out certain key details including the work completed, the amount claimed when it’s payable.
Be properly served on the client.

It might sound straightforward, but getting these steps right can save a lot of hassle.

Properly prepared paperwork gives you a stronger legal standing to enforce payment and helps keep your business moving forward without unnecessary delays.

At ASCO Legal, we work with builders, contractors, and tradespeople throughout New Zealand to get their paperwork in order.

Whether it’s reviewing your current documents or helping set up compliant terms of trade, our team offers practical advice that makes a real difference.

After all, your paperwork should be working just as hard as you do.

Let’s make sure it’s set up to protect you, so you can get back to the tools.

To contact ASCO Legal, phone 09 308 8070, or see www.ascolegal.co.nz.