Check how long a large company takes to pay its suppliers before you sign

Why check before you start

Payment terms are easiest to negotiate before the work begins. Knowing that a customer routinely pays in 70 days, whatever the contract says, lets you price the job, ask for staged payments or set a shorter final date for payment.

The payment practices reports

Qualifying large companies and LLPs must report twice a year on their payment practices and performance ^[3]. The government's search service lets anyone look them up ^[1].

Each report shows the average number of days taken to pay, and the proportion of payments made within 30 days, between 31 and 60 days, and in 61 days or more ^[2].

Checking any company on Companies House

• The exact registered name and number — use them on your contract and invoices ^[4].
• Whether accounts or the confirmation statement are overdue, a common early warning sign ^[4].
• The directors, and any recent change of registered office ^[4].
• Filed accounts, which for many companies show net assets and trade creditors ^[4].

Using what you find

• Agree the due date in writing and put it on every invoice.
• For long jobs, ask for interim payments rather than one final invoice.
• Remind customers that statutory interest applies to late business payments unless the contract sets a substantial remedy.

Nemexio then enforces what you agreed: reminders go out on the due date and escalate on a fixed rhythm, stating interest to the day.