Contractor Invoice Template
Free invoice template for contractors and construction work. Pre-filled with labor, materials and cleanup line items — edit and download a professional PDF. No sign-up, nothing uploaded.
🔒 Your invoice never leaves your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
INVOICE
INV-0001| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor — general carpentry (hourly) | 16 | $65.00 | $1,040.00 |
| Materials — lumber, fasteners and finish | 1 | $480.00 | $480.00 |
| Debris removal & site cleanup | 1 | $150.00 | $150.00 |
An invoice that matches how trade work is billed
This is our free invoice generator pre-loaded for contractor billing — labor at an hourly rate, materials billed through, and a cleanup line, plus deposit-and-milestones terms. It works for general contractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, and handyman services. Adjust the lines, add your details, download the PDF — nothing you enter leaves your browser.
What belongs on a contractor invoice
- Your business name, phone and address — plus license number in the notes if your state requires it on billing documents
- The job site address — often different from the billing address; put it in the notes
- Labor lines with hours and rate — “16 hrs @ $65” is transparent and defensible
- Materials as separate lines — bill through at cost or cost-plus; either way, itemise
- Deposit and progress terms — when each stage is due, in writing
- A unique invoice number per stage — INV-0007, INV-0008… referencing the same job name
Labor + materials: the pricing structure clients trust
The template’s three-line structure (labor / materials / cleanup) is the format clients’ eyes expect, and it protects you in disputes:
- Labor stands alone so a change in scope changes hours, not a mystery lump sum.
- Materials are visible so nobody suspects a markup game — if you charge cost-plus, say so in the terms.
- Cleanup is explicit because it’s real work; contractors who bundle it eat the cost, and clients who see it respect the site being left clean.
The three-document paper trail for trades
Trade work runs on documents: a quotation with an expiry date and signature line before the job (our quote tool includes an “Accepted by” line — a signed quote is your scope agreement), invoices at each stage, and a receipt for every payment — especially cash payments, where the receipt is the only record either side has.
Frequently asked questions
Should contractors separate labor and materials on an invoice?
Yes — almost always. Separating labor from materials builds trust (clients can check material costs), simplifies your bookkeeping and taxes, and in many places materials and labor are taxed differently. This template starts with separate labor and materials lines for that reason.
How do progress payments work on contractor invoices?
For jobs longer than a week or two, bill in stages: a deposit before work starts (commonly 30–50%), progress payments at milestones (rough-in complete, inspection passed), and the balance on completion. Send a separate numbered invoice for each stage and reference the job name on all of them.
Do independent contractors need to charge sales tax?
It varies by state and country. In much of the US, construction labor is not taxable but materials are (contractors often pay tax when buying materials and bill them through). UK trades may need VAT registration; Australian contractors add GST once registered. Set the tax label and rate above to match your situation — or leave it at zero.
What protects a contractor if the client doesn't pay?
The paper trail. A signed quote before work, numbered invoices during work, and receipts for payments received are what small-claims courts and mechanics-lien processes ask for. Keep the invoice description specific: 'Install 12 kitchen cabinets per quote QT-0014' beats 'work done'.
Is this contractor invoice template free?
Yes — free, no account, no watermark. It runs entirely in your browser, so your client information and pricing are never uploaded to any server.