How long does it take to recover overdue commercial invoices during the summer slowdown
It can often take longer to recover overdue commercial invoices during the summer. People are away, decisions are delayed, and payment processes slow down. This article explains what affects recovery times, what you can expect, and how to stay on top of things during periods of business quietness.
This is written for credit controllers and finance managers. It includes straightforward advice you can use right now to manage risk and keep cash moving.
Table of Contents
1. How long does it usually take to recover overdue commercial invoices?
It depends on a few things:
The sector you work in
Construction, wholesale, and manufacturing, often involve longer payment terms and complex approval chains.
Payment delays of 60 days or more are common. In services like consultancy or tech, terms are usually shorter but delays still happen.
The terms on the invoice
Even if you use 30-day terms, your client might follow a 60-day payment cycle. Some businesses delay approvals if the finance team is short-staffed or people are off on holiday.
The age of the invoice
Older invoices are harder to collect. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to get paid.
How you follow up
If you have a clear process for reminders, you’ll recover invoices faster. If follow-up is inconsistent or delayed, it will take longer.
Average timelines
0 to 30 days overdue: most invoices are paid with light follow-up
30 to 60 days: payment often needs escalation
60 to 90 days: recovery rates start to drop
Over 90 days: legal action or specialist help is usually needed
2. Why the summer makes everything harder
Many businesses slow down in July and August. Payment processes that are already slow tend to stop altogether. Here’s why:
People are on holiday
Approvals can’t happen if the right person isn’t around. Even if someone else is covering, they may not have the authority to pay you.
Reduced capacity
Teams often work with fewer staff. Finance teams may only process high-priority payments.
Delayed responses
You send an email and get an out-of-office reply. Or no reply at all. You call and it rings out. Without contact, delays grow quickly.
Cash flow is tight
If your client is also seeing slower sales, they might push payments back to hold on to cash.
3. What happens if you let invoices go unpaid for too long
Cash flow gets squeezed
Late payments limit what you can spend on staff, suppliers, or new work. It can also stop you from taking on new clients.
Time gets wasted
Your team spends hours chasing payments instead of focusing on new business or higher-value tasks.
Risk increases
An unpaid invoice might just be a delay. Or it could mean your client is in financial trouble. Either way, the longer it drags on, the worse your odds of getting paid.
4. How to keep things moving through the summer
Set clear payment expectations upfront
Make sure your invoice terms are simple and visible. State what happens if payments are late. Send a reminder before the due date.
Use more than one channel
Don’t rely on email. Follow up by phone, or check in via LinkedIn or SMS. It helps you reach someone who’s still working.
Shorten payment terms if you need to
If summer is a slow season for your business, you can ask trusted clients to pay sooner. Some will agree to help support your cash flow.
Automate where possible
Use invoice tracking software to send reminders and flag late payments. This keeps things moving even if your team is on holiday too.
Offer early payment incentives
A small discount for early payment can get you paid faster. This won’t suit everyone, but for key clients it may be worth it.
Prioritise your oldest debts
Review your ledger and flag invoices over 30 days overdue. Act early. Waiting until September often makes it worse.
Have a clear cut-off
Decide how long you’ll wait before escalating. Don’t let the process drag on past 60 or 90 days.
5. When to involve a debt recovery partner
There’s a point where chasing internally just burns time. If you’ve followed up and made no progress, or the client is actively avoiding contact, it’s time to escalate.
Use a debt recovery partner when:
- The invoice is over 30 days overdue
- You’ve chased multiple times with no reply
- The client keeps making excuses
- There are signs of financial trouble
- You’re spending too much time chasing small amounts
- What a good partner does
- Speaks directly to the right people
- Collects faster using expert processes
- Keeps things professional
- Frees your team up to focus on current clients
- Avoids legal costs unless absolutely necessary
Debt recovery services don’t stop for summer. If your client is unavailable, a third party can continue to make contact, get commitments, and prepare for formal recovery if needed.
6. What kind of success rate can you expect
Time matters. Here’s a guide based on invoice age:
| Age of Invoice | Likelihood of Recovery If Left | Action |
| 0–30 days | High (80 to 90 percent) | Keep chasing in-house |
| 31–60 days | Moderate (50 to 70 percent) | Escalate or review with external specialist support |
| 61–90 days | Low (30 to 50 percent) | Use a specialist (i.e. Darcey Quigley & Co) |
| Over 90 days | Very low (under 30 percent) | Legal options or write-off likely |
7. Questions we often get
Should I wait until after summer to recover overdue commercial invoices?
No. You should always follow up as soon as a payment is late, no matter the season.
Can I still maintain a client relationship if I escalate
Yes. If the approach is polite and professional, escalation shows that you take payment seriously.
Can I add fees for late payments?
Yes, if your terms allow it. You can add statutory interest and admin fees on late invoices.
How should I follow up when my contact is off on holiday?
Try to reach someone else. Use your contact’s out-of-office to find a deputy. Or call the company directly.
8. Final thoughts
Don’t wait for summer to end. If an overdue commercial invoice is holding up your cash flow, act now. The sooner you follow up or escalate, the better your chances of success. Use simple, structured processes and don’t be afraid to get help if your internal team hits a wall.
9. Need help to recover overdue commercial invoices?
Darcey Quigley & Co recovers commercial debts for businesses across the UK and Internationally. We exclusively work with business-to-business clients and have over 18 years of experience across all sectors.
- No win, no fee
- Fast turnaround
- Specialist account managers
We’ll review your overdue commercial invoice and give you honest advice on your options.
Lynne is the Founder and CEO of Darcey Quigley & Co.
She is passionate and determined to help businesses get overdue invoices paid quickly.
Having worked within the credit management industry for over 27 years and ran UK leading commercial debt recovery specialists Darcey Quigley & Co for over 18 years, Lynne has helped businesses recover commercial debts from every continent across the globe.
Connect with me on LinkedIn!
