HF GROUP LIMITED
Company number: SC316875
Reporting period:
1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026
Report filed on:
13 October 2026
Approved by:
Jill Nicolson
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: 47 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £4,176,766 (27%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £9,666,923 (61%)
- in 61 days or more: £1,913,952 (12%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 23%
- in 31 to 60 days: 59%
- in 61 days or more: 18%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £3,812,243
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 19%
- not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 10%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
7 days
Longest standard payment period
60 days
Standard payment terms
We do not have standard payment terms, instead they range from immediate payment due to 60 days end of month.
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
60 days
Maximum contractual payment period is 60 days end of month.
Any other information about payment terms
Payment terms are generally aligned with client payment terms and agreed with individual supplier / subcontractors
Retention clauses
How does this business use retention clauses?
Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:
Retention clauses are included in our construction contracts only where retention is applied to us by our client under the relevant upstream contract. We do not routinely apply retention clauses to our subcontractors or suppliers unless this reflects the retention arrangements imposed on us by our client.
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?
Yes: 5%
Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?
Yes:
The retention arrangements, including the applicable terms and conditions, are aligned with those imposed on us, ensuring consistency and fairness throughout the contractual supply chain. We do not routinely apply retention where no retention is imposed on us by our client.
Releasing money under a retention clause
Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause
Any retention held is released in accordance with the contractual terms and agreed release milestones, which may include practical completion and the expiry of the defects liability period, as applicable. We monitor the relevant project milestones and contractual obligations to ensure that retention payments are processed when they become due. Once the applicable release conditions have been met, the retained amounts are authorised and paid in accordance with the agreed payment terms.
We aim to ensure that retention is administered transparently, consistently and fairly throughout the contractual supply chain.
Is the money released in stages?
Yes:
Retention is normally released in two stages in accordance with the contractual terms applicable to the project. 50% of the retained amount is released upon practical completion, with the remaining 50% released at the end of the defects liability period, subject to the relevant contractual conditions being satisfied.
Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients
23%
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business
1%
Dispute resolution process
We recognise the importance our of suppliers and subcontractors in allowing us to deliver a quality service and therefore endeavour to pay all on time and are committed to resolving disputes quickly. We perform monthly purchase ledger reconciliations to ensure we have all our supplier and subcontractor invoices on the ledger. HF believe in building a strong working relationship with our supply chain which should be beneficial if a dispute arises.
Where a resolution is not obtained within a reasonable timescale there is an escalation process where the dispute is passed to a relevant member of the senior management team to engage with the supplier / subcontractor and come to an agreement.
If senior management are unable to resolve the dispute, it is passed to the Finance Director to resolve.
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