Contractor invoice template

What to list on a contractor invoice

• Your business name, phone number and contractor licence number if your state requires one on paperwork.
• The customer’s name and the address of the job, which may differ from the billing address.
• An invoice number, the date, and the date payment is due.
• A short description of the work, such as “Bathroom remodel: tile, vanity and fixtures installed”.
• Materials on their own lines, and labor as days or hours times your rate, or a flat price if you quoted one.
• Any deposit already paid, shown as a deduction, and the balance now due.

If you sent an estimate, repeat its total near the top so the customer can compare the two at a glance. Anything that was not in the estimate belongs on its own line with a short reason.

Deposits, stages and change orders

On a bigger job, ask for a deposit when the customer approves the estimate, so materials are not bought on your own money. Show it on the final invoice as already paid. Our guide to invoice vs estimate covers moving from one to the other.

For a job that runs for weeks, you can invoice by stage, such as demolition, rough-in and finish, with one invoice for each. Say in the estimate when each stage will be billed.

When the customer adds work or you find something unexpected, agree the new price in writing before you carry on, then list it as its own line. A one-line text that says what changed and what it costs is a record you can point to later.

Payment terms for contractor work

Homeowners usually pay a final invoice on completion or within a few days. Commercial customers and property managers often work on Net 14 or Net 30, so write the actual due date on the invoice. More on this in our guide to invoice payment terms. Rules about deposits and payment schedules for home improvement work differ by state, so check yours.