TRADEKIT FIELD GUIDE · REVIEWED 7 OCTOBER 2026

What is a construction payment notice?

A payment notice records the sum the payer considers due at the payment due date and the basis for calculating it. The deadline and notice route depend on the contract and the applicable construction payment rules.

What a notice does

For construction contracts covered by the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act, the payment mechanism includes notices stating the sum considered due and the basis of calculation. The payer’s notice and the payee’s application are not always the same document or sent by the same party. The contract should identify the relevant dates and procedure.

Read the signed terms before counting

Find the due date, payer-notice deadline, final date for payment, pay less deadline, service address and permitted method. Some contracts define working days or special service rules. The Scheme for Construction Contracts in England and Wales supplies terms in defined circumstances; its example periods are not universal defaults for every subcontract or UK jurisdiction.

What to record

Keep the notice itself, its calculation, attachments, recipient and proof of when it was served. A date calculator can compare dates, but cannot confirm the notice contents meet the contract, that it was served correctly, or that the sender had authority.

Example

If the contract says a payer notice is due five calendar days after the payment due date, enter that period and the actual service date into the checker. A result “on or before” only compares those dates; it is not a legal ruling on validity.

Practical checklist

Identify which party must serve each notice.
Confirm whether periods mean calendar or working days.
Check sum due and calculation basis.
Retain timestamped proof of service.

Common questions

Is a payment application the same as a payment notice?

Not automatically. Some contracts may treat a compliant application as a notice for a particular purpose, but check the actual wording and statutory conditions.

Can a date checker tell me if a notice is valid?

No. It checks dates supplied by you. Content, recipient, service method, contract terms and surrounding notices still need review.

Official references

Use the current source material and your contract for the specific facts. These links support this guide; they are not a substitute for individual advice.

Last reviewed 7 October 2026. TradeKit guides explain general process and arithmetic and are not legal, tax or accounting advice.