In this episode of The Subbies Toolbox Podcast, Michelle Cirson looks at the maximum payment due dates that apply to subcontractors around Australia, and the rules many subbies don’t realise are sitting in special laws created to get Subcontractors paid. Those laws are called "Security of Payment" laws, and they override terms in your builder's contract that try to pay you later. For Australian subcontractors who think 45 days EOM is "industry standard", - that's not actually true. Longer payment terms tie up your cashflow, and sometimes subbies keep accepting them simply because that’s how a long-term builder relationship has always worked. Michelle walks through the different position across each state and territory, what happens when a contract tries to push payment beyond the statutory maximum, and the importance of understanding when the payment clock actually starts. Resources Tired of builders pushing you around? Arm yourself with the Subbies' Toolbox Membership Want to negotiate better contract terms? Explore Negotiation School Get Free Checklists, Templates and guides here www.subbiestoolbox.com.au Listen to the full episode, then download the Maximum Due Dates summary here: DOWNLOAD SUMMARY HERE Get Your Fix on Social Media Follow Michelle on Linked In - HERE Follow Michelle on Instagram - HERE Follow Michelle on Facebook - HERE Rate and Review the Podcast If you like what you’re hearing on The Subbies’ Toolbox Podcast, support the show by taking a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment on ApplePodcast, or Spotify Thanks! About the Host Michelle Cirson is construction lawyer, adjudicator and former commercial builder’s CA who now works exclusively with Australian subcontractors. She helps commercial subcontractors manage their builders’ contracts and get paid on time, without losing jobs and blowing up builder relationships. Michelle is the founder of The Subbies Toolbox Membership. If you want to understand how this system actually works and where subcontractors tend to get caught out, you’ll find more resources at www.subbiestoolbox.com.au
What if paying a fee to get your progress claim sooner is actually helping your builder pay you later? In this episode of The Subbies Toolbox Podcast, Michelle Cirson takes a closer look at early payment platforms being used in commercial construction and the questions Australian subcontractors should be asking before signing up. Michelle explains what she has seen through contract reviews and what Subbies Toolbox members have experienced when using these payment arrangements. She unpacks the potential risks sitting behind what can look like a handy cashflow solution, including: guarantees, payment timeframes, and the possibility of builders benefiting financially from the arrangement. In this episode, you'll learn: How early payment platforms can work when you're waiting for a builder to pay What can happen if the builder goes broke before the financier gets paid The personal risk that can sit inside Director's Guarantees How payment terms can interact with Security of Payment timeframes What to consider before giving up part of your progress claim to get paid sooner How better payment terms and accounts receivable systems could help protect your cashflow There can be a genuine commercial reason to use early payment finance. The important bit is knowing what you've signed up to, what it's costing you and who else benefits from the arrangement. If you're an Australian subcontractor working in Commercial Construction, this episode will give you plenty to think about before you automatically click the early payment option. Listen to Episode 19 of The Subbies Toolbox Podcast, and for more practical support managing contracts, payments and commercial risk, check out The Subbies Toolbox Membership. Resources Tired of builders pushing you around? Arm yourself with the Subbies' Toolbox Membership Want to negotiate better contract terms? Explore Negotiation School Get Checklists, Templates and guides here www.subbiestoolbox.com.au. Get Your Fix on Social Media Follow Michelle on Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecirson/ Follow Michelle on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/subbiestoolbox/ Follow Michelle on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tricksofyourtrade Rate and Review the Podcast If you like what you’re hearing on The Subbies’ Toolbox Podcast, support the show by taking a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment on ApplePodcast, or Spotify Thanks! About the Host Michelle Cirson is construction lawyer, adjudicator and former commercial builder’s CA who now works exclusively with Australian subcontractors. She helps commercial subcontractors manage their builders’ contracts and get paid on time, without losing jobs and blowing up builder relationships. Michelle is the founder of The Subbies Toolbox Membership. If you want to understand how this system actually works and where subcontractors tend to get caught out, you’ll find more resources at www.subbiestoolbox.com.au
Getting paid isn’t just about sending an invoice and chasing it when it’s overdue. In this episode of The Subbies Toolbox Podcast, Michelle Cirson breaks down what should actually go into an Accounts Receivable Escalation Procedure (AREP), and how it should work alongside the Security of Payment laws in your state or territory. From getting your payment claim right in the first place, through to payment schedules, second opportunity notices, adjudication and suspension, Michelle explains why the timing and order of each step matters. Michelle also shares what happened when a Subbies Toolbox Member relied on AI for advice about a Security of Payment deadline, and why these processes aren’t always as straightforward as they look. Thankfully it was picked up before the subbie got too far down the track. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What an Accounts Receivable Escalation Procedure should cover • Why your reference date and payment claim matter from day one • Why getting a payment schedule from your builder can work in your favour • How Security of Payment processes differ between states and territories • Why Michelle recommends claiming everything completed less what has actually been paid into your bank account • Why letters of demand and debt collectors usually aren’t Michelle’s first choice for construction debts The point of an AREP isn’t to become more contractual with your builders. It’s to have a calm, consistent process already sitting there when payment goes sideways, so you know what happens next and don’t lose valuable rights while trying to work it out under pressure. If your business doesn’t have an Accounts Receivable Escalation Procedure yet, this episode is a good place to start. Resources Tired of builders pushing you around? Arm yourself with the Subbies' Toolbox Membership Want to negotiate better contract terms? Explore Negotiation School Get Free Checklists, Templates and guides here www.subbiestoolbox.com.au Get Your Fix on Social Media Follow Michelle on Linked In - HERE Follow Michelle on Instagram - HERE Follow Michelle on Facebook - HERE Rate and Review the Podcast If you like what you’re hearing on The Subbies’ Toolbox Podcast, support the show by taking a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment on ApplePodcast, or Spotify Thanks! About the Host Michelle Cirson is construction lawyer, adjudicator and former commercial builder’s CA who now works exclusively with Australian subcontractors. She helps commercial subcontractors manage their builders’ contracts and get paid on time, without losing jobs and blowing up builder relationships. Michelle is the founder of The Subbies Toolbox Membership. If you want to understand how this system actually works and where subcontractors tend to get caught out, you’ll find more resources at www.subbiestoolbox.com.au
What happens when proving you're right ends up costing more than the dispute itself? In this episode of The Subbies Toolbox Podcast, Michelle Cirson explores the real cost of fighting "on principle" and why taking the emotion out of a dispute can often lead to better commercial outcomes. Using a high-profile legal case and a real construction dispute involving millions of dollars, Michelle explains how emotionally driven decisions can distract subcontractors from the processes that actually protect their cashflow and legal position. In this episode, you'll learn: Why fighting on principle isn't always the best commercial decision How emotion can cloud your judgement during payment disputes Why builders and subcontractors often make decisions from very different commercial positions The risks of letting frustration derail your Security of Payment strategy How an Accounts Receivable Escalation Procedure can help you make better decisions under pressure If you've ever found yourself saying, "It's the principle of it," this episode will help you take a step back, think strategically and focus on protecting your business. Resources Tired of builders pushing you around? Arm yourself with the Subbies' Toolbox Membership Want to negotiate better contract terms? Explore Negotiation School Get Free Checklists, Templates and guides here www.subbiestoolbox.com.au Get Your Fix on Social Media Follow Michelle on Linked In - HERE Follow Michelle on Instagram - HERE Follow Michelle on Facebook - HERE Rate and Review the Podcast If you like what you’re hearing on The Subbies’ Toolbox Podcast, support the show by taking a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment on ApplePodcast, or Spotify Thanks! About the Host Michelle Cirson is construction lawyer, adjudicator and former commercial builder’s CA who now works exclusively with Australian subcontractors. She helps commercial subcontractors manage their builders’ contracts and get paid on time, without losing jobs and blowing up builder relationships. Michelle is the founder of The Subbies Toolbox Membership. If you want to understand how this system actually works and where subcontractors tend to get caught out, you’ll find more resources at www.subbiestoolbox.com.au
This week on The Subbies Toolbox Podcast, Michelle shares the story behind a social media post that sparked plenty of debate across the construction industry. Drawing on her years working inside builder organisations as a Contract Administrator, Michelle opens up about mistakes she made, decisions she witnessed, and the uncomfortable truth about relying on builder staff to protect your business. If you've ever believed that having a good relationship with the builder's CA, Project Manager or Commercial Manager will keep you safe, this episode challenges that thinking. Michelle explains why staff inside building companies have their own pressures, priorities and incentives, and why your business can't depend on someone else's decision-making. In this episode you'll learn: Why good relationships don't guarantee good commercial outcomes What really influences builder staff when they're making decisions The danger of underpricing work and expecting someone else to stop you How progress claims can hide serious cash flow problems What radical accountability actually looks like for subcontractors The biggest lesson is simple. No one inside a builder's office is more responsible for your profitability than you are. If you want a stronger subcontracting business, your systems, pricing and financial decisions need to stand on their own. Download our free guide: How to Claim Cost Increases Under Fixed Price Contracts https://www.subbiestoolbox.com.au/cost Resources Tired of builders pushing you around? Arm yourself with the Subbies' Toolbox Membership Want to negotiate better contract terms? Explore Negotiation School Get Free Checklists, Templates and guides here www.subbiestoolbox.com.au Get Your Fix on Social Media Follow Michelle on Linked In - HERE Follow Michelle on Instagram - HERE Follow Michelle on Facebook - HERE Rate and Review the Podcast If you like what you’re hearing on The Subbies’ Toolbox Podcast, support the show by taking a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment on ApplePodcast, or Spotify Thanks! About the Host Michelle Cirson is construction lawyer, adjudicator and former commercial builder’s CA who now works exclusively with Australian subcontractors. She helps commercial subcontractors manage their builders’ contracts and get paid on time, without losing jobs and blowing up builder relationships. Michelle is the founder of The Subbies Toolbox Membership. If you want to understand how this system actually works and where subcontractors tend to get caught out, you’ll find more resources at www.subbiestoolbox.com.au