Subcontractor Support Group

I recently assisted two subcontractors, Marcin and Tomasz, who had worked on plots connected with Bond Brickwork Ltd.

They described the working relationship as friendly and informal. However, when the engagement ended, an outstanding balance of £1,387 gross remained unpaid for work on plots 97, 98 and 99 and additional weekend work.

Bond Brickwork Ltd initially stated that payment had been withheld because of alleged workmanship issues and incomplete work. It later said that Marquee Contracting Limited was the employer or paying party. The subcontractors disputed the deductions, and no contemporaneous pay less notice was identified in the correspondence.

A formal notice before claim was sent raising:

• the unpaid balance;

• the lack of a valid pay less notice;

• CIS accounting;

• potential worker status under section 230(3)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996; and

• possible claims for unlawful deductions and holiday pay.

Following the notice, Marquee Contracting Limited processed payments on 19 June 2026. Each subcontractor’s statement recorded £693 gross, a company margin of £18, a CIS deduction of £135 and a net payment of £540. The principal payment dispute was therefore treated as resolved and closed.

This experience shows why subcontractors should keep:

• messages confirming the agreed work;

• plot or site records;

• invoices and CIS statements;

• payment dates;

• any payment notice or pay less notice; and

• evidence of who actually directed the work and arranged payment.

A friendly working relationship does not remove the need for clear records. Payment problems often arise only after the relationship ends.

Outcome: principal payment recovered after formal correspondence.

Topic: Resolved CasesAdditional topic: Contractor Experiences