GRATTE BROTHERS LIMITED
Company number: 00411138
Reporting period:
1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025
Report filed on:
16 October 2025
Approved by:
Bronwyn Miller
Contracts and payments
Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? Yes
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 55 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £35,106,513 (33%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £49,146,955 (47%)
- in 61 days or more: £20,991,591 (20%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 17%
- in 31 to 60 days: 40%
- in 61 days or more: 43%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £9,453,793
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 7%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
7 days
Longest standard payment period
90 days
Standard payment terms
The company operates 2 processes: 1. Purchase Order (Mainly Plant & Materials) Payment terms are agreed with suppliers on a case by case basis. The most commonly used terms are 30 days following the end of the month in which the tax point of the supplier invoice falls. The maximum agreed term is 60 days. 2. Sub Contract orders, there are two main types of sub-contracts: a. Agency labour. standard terms vary between 7 days and 90 days from the end of the month in which the tax point of the invoice falls. The maximum term is 90 days. b. Supply & Fix, standard terms and conditions with sub-contractors are agreed at the outset of each contract being placed. The average payment period varies between 30 and 90 days following certification of applications for payment of invoices received from the sub-contractor. The maximum agreed term is 60 days.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
90 days
No further comment provided
Any other information about payment terms
No further comment provided
Retention clauses
How does this business use retention clauses?
Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:
Retention clauses are included in some Construction Contracts this is usually determined by the nature, value and contract length of the works being carried out.
Does this business only use retention clauses in construction contracts above a specific contract sum?
No
Does this business use a standard percentage rate in retention clauses?
No
Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?
Yes:
We would only apply the same rate of retention to our Sub-contractors as our clients are applying to us.
Releasing money under a retention clause
Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause
Once works are complete there would be an agreed retention period (usually twelve months), once this period has passed and if there are no reasons for monies to be withheld then the Sub-Contractor would apply for the release of the retention , this would follow the same terms and procedure for payment as agreed at the start of the contract.
Is the money released in stages?
No
Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients
74%
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business
11%
Dispute resolution process
Queries regarding materials and equipment hire are dealt with by the procurement department for resolution with the supplier through dialogue and emails. Queries regarding sub-contractor orders are dealt with by the surveyor responsible for the contract with the aim of reaching a resolution within the payment terms. If a dispute cannot be resolved, it is passed to the supply chain director for further escalation.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
No
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No