What to include on a construction invoice

Short answer

A construction invoice should include your business and tax details, a unique invoice number, issue and due dates, the client and job address, a reference to the contract or estimate, work completed this period, approved change orders, previous payments, retainage held, taxes, balance due and payment instructions.

The checklist

Anything missing gives a slow payer a reason to wait.

• Business name, address, licence and tax registration number
• Unique sequential invoice number
• Issue date and explicit due date, not just 'net 30'
• Client name, billing address and job site address
• Reference to the signed estimate or contract number
• Description of work completed in this billing period
• Approved change orders listed separately
• Contract total, previously billed, this invoice, balance remaining
• Retainage held, if applicable
• Taxes shown at the correct rate and jurisdiction
• Payment methods and a one-click payment link
• Late fee terms as agreed in the contract

Separate change orders from base scope

Clients scrutinise totals that move. Listing approved change orders as their own lines, each referencing its signature date, removes most billing disputes before they start.

Send it the day the milestone completes

Invoice ageing usually starts with contractor delay, not client delay. Same-day invoicing at each milestone is the single cheapest cash-flow improvement available.

How WinkScope handles it

WinkScope generates invoices from the approved estimate with contract totals, prior payments, change orders and retainage carried automatically, applies your tax rules, and attaches a Stripe payment link with automated reminders.

Frequently asked questions