Updated March 27, 2023
A handyman (contractor) invoice is a document that can be used by contractors to bill individuals or companies for services rendered. The jobs may be anything from small repairs to junk removal or even gardening/ landscaping. The contractor may itemize services and supplies and present the bill for payment upon completion of the tasks requested or they may choose to bill the client for later payment, especially if the contractor schedules to do handy work for the client more than once per month on a regular basis.
When to Use a Handyman Invoice
Use this invoice to bill clients when work is completed, or at the end of a billing period. Though the handyman may be a jack-of-all-trades busy with all kinds of work, it is critical to keep organized records.
Elements of a Handyman Invoice
This invoice is both a formal record of work and a request for payment. It should be prepared with care and delivered promptly.
In addition to the basics like contact details for handyman and customer and an invoice date, this document should include:
- A detailed inventory of all tasks completed and the time spent on each
- An itemized list of costs for each task, and the overall total due, including taxes
- The payment due date and any penalties for late payments
How to Prepare a Handyman Invoice
1. List all completed services
Since handymen are usually “doers” and relationships with customers are often friendly and familiar, invoices are sometimes prepared informally. Yet it is preferable to document all work in detail. This signals professionalism, and it can help head off future disputes.
2. Finalize the amount owed
The total balance should include taxes, which will vary with the jurisdiction. Though a handyman might try to simplify the business process by quoting only a flat rate, it is standard practice to separately account for taxes.
3. Make copies
Businesses should establish consistent bookkeeping practices. Copies of all invoices should be saved – preferably in more than one place. Some businesses maintain both digital and paper-based records to ensure that there will always be backup records.
4. Submit invoice to client
When possible, billing processes should suit customers. Some may prefer email invoices, while others require mailed copies. In any case, ensure that customers have received communications by following up as necessary.