What goes on a contractor invoice
A professional contractor invoice needs six things: your business name and contact details, the client's name and address, a unique invoice number, the date issued and payment due date, an itemized list of work performed with costs, and the total amount due.
That's it. Everything else is optional — but getting these six right means fewer disputes, faster payment, and a more professional impression.
Invoice number and dates
Every invoice needs a unique number. Start at #001 or #INV-001 and go up from there. This lets you reference invoices in conversation, track what's been paid, and organize your records at tax time. The issue date is when you send it. The due date is when you expect payment — Net 7, Net 14, or Net 30 are standard terms for contractors.
Itemized line items
List each service or material separately with a quantity, unit price, and line total. Don't write "Labor — $850." Write "Electrical rough-in, 8 hours @ $85/hr — $680" and "Materials (wire, conduit, boxes) — $170." Clients are more likely to pay without question when they can see exactly what they're paying for.
Payment terms
State your payment terms clearly on every invoice. "Payment due within 14 days" is plain English and avoids confusion. If you charge a late fee, put it in writing: "A 1.5% monthly fee applies to invoices unpaid after 30 days."
Send it the same day
The fastest way to get paid is to invoice on-site, the moment the job is done. Every day you wait to send the invoice is a day added to when you'll see the money. Mobile invoicing apps like BIG INVOICE let you send a professional PDF before you've left the driveway.