Free invoice template
Contractor invoice template: labor, materials, change orders.
A remodeler's progress invoice: labor and materials on separate lines, the licensed subcontractor, a signed change order, and the license number where the law wants it. Fill it in, download the PDF.
- Separate
- labor and materials, always
- Numbered
- change orders, with the date signed
- Your license
- number on the invoice; required on contracts in CA
The lines on this invoice, and why
| Line | What it tells your client |
|---|---|
| Labor | Hours and crew, with the dates. In time-and-materials work this is the line clients check first. |
| Materials | What you bought for the job, with receipts. Whether you charge sales tax on materials depends on your state and how the contract is written, so mark only the lines that are taxable. |
| Change order #2 | Each signed change order on its own numbered line with its date. Never folded into labor. |
Progress invoices
Bill for work done and materials delivered, as the contract's schedule says, and number them: "Progress invoice 2 of 3". In California, home-improvement progress payments may only cover work already done, and the down payment is capped at $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less.
Your license number
California requires your CSLB license number on all contracts, bids and advertising, and putting it on every invoice is good practice in any state that licenses contractors. Start the notes with it, as this one does.
Lien waivers and retainage
On larger jobs, owners may hold back 5 to 10% of each payment until completion, and expect a lien waiver for each payment received. Note both in the terms so the next invoice has no surprises.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
Wording you can copy
Payment due within 10 days. Work continues on schedule while progress payments are current. A lien waiver is issued with each payment.
Balances more than 30 days overdue accrue 1% per month.
Questions
Do I charge sales tax on materials?
It depends on the state and the contract. In many states a contractor on a lump-sum job pays the tax when buying and doesn't charge it; in others the contractor charges it. Check your state's guidance.
How much deposit can a contractor take?
In California, for home improvement, at most $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. Other states have their own rules.
What's the difference between an estimate and an invoice?
The estimate is the price you propose before the work; the invoice asks for payment for work done. Use the estimate template to quote the job.
Sources: CSLB: license number on contracts and ads · CSLB: payment rules · Sales Tax Institute: construction
Written by the BillGrid team. Checked .
