Date every block of time
An hourly invoice is only as convincing as its time entries. "11.5 hours" invites a question. "Monday, 2.5 hours tracing the tripping breaker" gets paid. Put each day on its own line with what you did. The client can match it to what they saw, and you can find it again if they ask.
Write your rules on the invoice
- Rounding: quarter hours, half hours, or a one-hour minimum. Say which.
- Travel: billed at full rate, half rate, or not at all. Whatever you do, do it the same way every time.
- Materials: at cost with receipts, or with a stated markup.
Rules written on the invoice read as policy. Rules explained on the phone afterwards read as excuses.
Questions tradespeople ask
How do I invoice by the hour?
List each day or block of work with the date, what was done and the hours, multiply by your rate, then add travel and materials as separate lines. State your rounding rule.
Should I bill for travel time?
Many trades do, often at a reduced rate or as a flat trip charge. The key is to state it up front and show it on its own line.
Missing a line you always need? Email support@vanreceipts.app and we will add it to the template.