Free tools / Payment Claim Template (NZ)

Payment Claim Template (NZ)

Build a construction payment claim or payment schedule under the Construction Contracts Act 2002. Whether you're a builder issuing a progress claim or a subcontractor chasing payment, this free payment claim template lays it out the way the Act expects.

Payment claim / payment schedule

Payment Claim

Made under the Construction Contracts Act 2002

From (payee): Your business nameClaim #: PC-001
Period:
To (payer): Payer nameDue date:

Contract / works: Contract description / site address

This is a payment claim under section 20 of the Construction Contracts Act 2002 for construction work carried out under the above contract for the period stated.

How the claimed amount is calculatedAmount
Value of construction work for this period (excl. GST)$0.00
GST (15%)$0.00
Claimed amount due$0.00

The claimed amount of $0.00 is due and payable by the due date.

If the payer disputes any part of this claim, the payer must provide a payment schedule (under section 21 of the Act) within the time required by the contract, or within 20 working days if the contract does not say. If no payment schedule is provided in time, the full claimed amount becomes due on the due date and is recoverable as a debt.

This is an educational template, not legal advice. Timeframes and the exact wording your contract requires can vary — for residential occupier contracts a payment claim must include the prescribed Form 1 explanatory information. Confirm requirements against the Construction Contracts Act 2002 or get advice before relying on a claim or schedule.

How a payment claim works under the Construction Contracts Act

The Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA 2002) gives everyone doing construction work in New Zealand a fast, enforceable way to get paid. The mechanism is the payment claim: a formal demand for a progress payment that, if not properly disputed, becomes a debt you can recover. This generator produces a CCA 2002 payment claim and the matching payment schedule template, so both sides of a construction contract know exactly where they stand.

What a CCA 2002 payment claim must contain

Under section 20, a payment claim must state the amount claimed, the due date for payment, how the claimed amount was calculated, and that it is a payment claim made under the Act. For a residential occupier contract the claim must also be accompanied by the prescribed explanatory information (Form 1), which tells the homeowner about their rights. A construction payment claim that is missing these details may not be enforceable, so the generator above builds each part for you.

Progress claim template for builders and subcontractors

A progress claim is simply a payment claim for work completed in a period. The same rules apply whether you are the head contractor or issuing a subcontractor payment claim. Use the builder progress claim template above to set out the value of work, add 15% GST if you are GST-registered, and state the due date. If you also need the underlying invoice, our free NZ invoice generator creates the matching tax invoice.

Payment schedule under the Construction Contracts Act

If the payer disputes a payment claim, they must reply with a payment schedule under section 21 within the timeframe in the contract (or within 20 working days if the contract is silent). The payment schedule must show the scheduled amount being paid and, where that is less than claimed, the reason and how it was calculated. Crucially, if the payer does not provide a payment schedule in time, the full claimed amount becomes due and is recoverable as a debt — that is the leverage the Act gives you.

If you still don't get paid

When a payment claim goes unpaid and no valid payment schedule arrives, you can pursue the amount through adjudication under the CCA 2002 — a fast, binding process built for the construction industry. Read more on your legal rights when chasing unpaid invoices, and put solid foundations in place by setting payment terms that protect your trade business before the next job starts.

Frequently asked questions

What must a payment claim include under the Construction Contracts Act 2002?

A payment claim under section 20 of the CCA 2002 must state the amount claimed, the due date for payment, how the claimed amount was calculated, and that it is a payment claim made under the Act. For a residential occupier contract it must also be accompanied by the prescribed explanatory information (Form 1).

What happens if the payer does not respond with a payment schedule?

If the payer disputes a payment claim they must respond with a payment schedule under section 21 within the timeframe in the contract (or within 20 working days if the contract is silent). If they do not provide a payment schedule in time, the full claimed amount becomes due on the due date and is recoverable as a debt.

What is the difference between a payment claim and a payment schedule?

A payment claim is sent by the payee (builder or subcontractor) to claim payment for construction work. A payment schedule is the payer’s reply. If the payer schedules less than the claimed amount, the schedule must state the scheduled amount, the reason for the difference, and how that amount was calculated.

Can a subcontractor use a payment claim?

Yes. The Construction Contracts Act 2002 applies to most construction contracts in New Zealand, including head contracts and subcontracts. A subcontractor can issue a payment claim for a progress claim and rely on the same payment-schedule rules.

Is this payment claim template legal advice?

No. This is an educational progress claim template to help you structure a CCA 2002 payment claim or payment schedule. Contract timeframes and required wording vary, so confirm the detail against the Construction Contracts Act 2002 or get professional advice before relying on it.

Sources

  1. New Zealand Legislation — Construction Contracts Act 2002
  2. building.govt.nz (MBIE) — Construction Contracts Act
  3. building.govt.nz — Getting paid / payment claims
  4. business.govt.nz — Getting paid and invoicing
  5. Ministry of Justice — Disputes Tribunal
  6. Inland Revenue — Charging GST