Invoice template · for contractors & trades
Contractor invoice template
Built for the way trades actually get paid — deposits up front, progress billing through the job, materials and labor itemized so nobody argues about the total. Fill it in online below, or browse templates by profession.
Three ways contractors bill — and how the template handles each
A graphic designer sends one invoice and waits. You don't have that luxury — a kitchen remodel ties up your cash for weeks. The trick is to never carry the whole job on your own dime.
Deposit up front
Collect 25–50% before you lift a hammer. It covers your first material run and tells you the client is serious. Mark it clearly as a deposit so it credits against the final bill — not a surprise extra.
Progress billing by milestone
On a long job, bill in stages — demo done, rough-in done, finish done. Each invoice references the milestone and shows the running balance. Nobody waits 60 days to get paid, and the client sees exactly what they paid for.
Final invoice with retainage
Some jobs hold back 5–10% (retainage) until final sign-off. List it as a line so the math is transparent, then send a clean retainage-release invoice when the punch list clears.
Fill in your contractor invoice
Add labor, materials, rentals and fees as separate lines. Set a deposit or discount, add tax, and download a clean PDF. Nothing is stored, no email required.
What to put on a contractor invoice
A contractor invoice has to survive a skeptical client and, sometimes, a lien deadline. Cover these and you're protected:
- Your business + license number. Many states require your contractor license on the invoice. Put it under your business name.
- The client and the job site. The billing address and the property address aren't always the same — list both so there's no confusion on a rental or a flip.
- A unique invoice number. Tie it to the job (e.g.
2026-MILLER-03for the third invoice on the Miller job) so your progress bills stay in order. - Itemized labor and materials. Separate lines for hours, materials, rentals, permits and disposal. Clients challenge a lump sum; they rarely challenge an itemized one.
- Deposit or prior payments credited. Show what they already paid and the remaining balance — never make the client do the subtraction.
- Payment terms and a due date. "Due on receipt" or "Net 15." Spell out late fees if you charge them.
For the full breakdown that applies to every trade, see what to include on an invoice.
Example line items
Copy this structure into the generator above — itemizing this way is what keeps a final invoice from turning into a negotiation.
| Line item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Labor — framing crew | 32 hrs @ $65/hr |
| Materials — lumber & fasteners | per attached receipt |
| Equipment rental — scissor lift | 2 days |
| Permit & inspection fees | pass-through, no markup |
| Disposal / dumpster | flat |
Quote the job before you invoice it
Most contractor jobs start with an estimate, not an invoice. Win the bid first, then convert it to a deposit invoice once it's signed. Use the estimate generator for the quote, or grab a ready-made estimate template. When the client says yes, the same numbers become your first invoice.