When must a pay less notice be sent? Deadline calculator

When must a pay less notice be sent?

Under the Scheme for Construction Contracts, no later than 7 days before the final date for payment, which is 17 days after the payment due date. Your contract can set a different period, and if it does, that one applies.

Free, with no sign-up. Everything is worked out in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us or stored. A guide, not legal advice. Based on the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England), as read on 31 October 2026. Your contract's own periods come first.

The payment notice is due within 5 days of the payment due date. The pay less notice must be given no later than 7 days before the final date for payment, which is 17 days after the due date, unless the contract sets other periods.

The pay less notice comes from section 111 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996; the default periods come from the Scheme for Construction Contracts. Both are linked under Sources below.

Payment period ends	Saturday 31 October 2026
Payment due (7 days later)	Saturday 7 November 2026
Payment notice by (5 days after due)	Thursday 12 November 2026
Pay less notice by (7 days before final)	Tuesday 17 November 2026
Final date for payment (17 days after due)	Tuesday 24 November 2026

Payment notice dates

Enter the end of the payment period, and the date the claim was received if it came later. The periods below are the Scheme's defaults: change them if your contract sets its own.

End of the payment periodPayment claim received (optional)

Change the periods to match your contract

Due date: days after the period endsFinal date: days after the due date

Payment notice: days after the due datePay less notice: days before the final date

Payment due

Payment notice by

Pay less notice by

Final date for payment

Where SUBR comes in

SUBR is AI software for UK contractors who send work out to subcontractors. Its AI reads your client quote, your office names each trade's share, and SUBR builds every scope with your costs, margin and client price left off it. Each subcontractor answers on their own link and sees only their own price.

When must a pay less notice be sent?

Payment notice dates

More questions

Sources

Where SUBR comes in

See it on a quote