Debt Recovery · Construction & Trades
Recover unpaid progress claims, retentions and subcontractor debts.
Construction and trades businesses are among the hardest hit by late payment in Australia. Progress claims are disputed, retentions are withheld for years, and principal contractors go into voluntary administration just as your final invoice falls due. Recovia's recovery team understands the building industry — the SoP Act adjudication path, retention trust obligations, and how to pursue a debt without burning a subcontracting relationship.
Industry challenges
Why Construction & Trades businesses struggle to collect.
Principal contractor disputes
Principals routinely dispute variation claims and withhold progress payments pending 'sign-off'. Without a formal recovery process, subcontractors wait months for money they've already earned.
Retention withheld beyond defects period
Retention releases are often delayed well past the contractual defects liability period. A formal demand letter with a clear deadline changes the dynamic immediately.
Principal insolvency
When a principal enters administration, unsecured creditors — including subbies — often get cents in the dollar. Early placement gives you a documented claim and priority in any PPSR registration.
SoP Act complexity
The NSW Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 provides a fast adjudication path for payment claims — but navigating it without support is difficult. We assist with the process.
How Recovia helps
Recovery built for Construction & Trades.
SoP Act assistance
We support you through the NSW Security of Payment Act adjudication process — payment schedules, adjudication applications, and enforcement of adjudication certificates.
Variation claim recovery
We recover disputed variation claims and additions — with the documentation trail and a clear negotiation strategy that avoids burning the commercial relationship.
Retention release demands
Formal written demands for retention releases, with a documented timeline that puts the obligation on record and creates the paper trail for escalation.
Relationship preservation
Subcontracting relationships matter. Our approach is firm on the debt but professional in tone — most construction debts are recovered without litigation or irreparable damage to the working relationship.
Commission-only
No win, no fee. You pay nothing unless we recover. No retainer, no setup, no surprises — the same commission rate applies whether it's a $5,000 variation or a $250,000 progress claim.
Portfolio placement
Have a book of aged subcontractor or customer receivables? We accept bulk placements with a single CSV upload and provide a consolidated recovery report per account.
FAQ
Common questions about Construction & Trades debt recovery.
Can Recovia help with Security of Payment Act claims in NSW?
Yes. We assist NSW construction businesses with the SoP Act process — from preparing the payment claim through to enforcing an adjudication certificate as a judgment debt.
How do you recover a disputed variation claim?
We start with a formal written demand setting out the variation, the agreed scope, and the payment entitlement. If the principal disputes the claim, we work with you on documentation and negotiate directly with their accounts team. Adjudication is available as a last resort if negotiation fails.
What happens if the principal contractor goes into administration?
You need to lodge a proof of debt with the liquidator and document your claim clearly. We help you prepare the claim, identify any PPSR registrations, and maximise your position as a creditor.
How long does a typical construction debt take to recover?
Undisputed claims with proper documentation typically resolve within 30–45 days of first contact. Disputed variation claims or SoP adjudications can take 60–90 days. Accounts placed early recover faster and at a higher rate.
Ready to recover your construction & trades debts?
Commission-only, no upfront cost, and a team that understands your industry. Place your accounts today.