# Free Contractor Invoice Template | Download PDF, Excel, Sheets Canonical URL: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/contractor-invoice-template/ Plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/contractor-invoice-template/llms.txt Publisher: SimplyWise, Inc. (https://www.simplywise.com) Published: April 17, 2026 Updated: September 11, 2026 Summary: Download a free contractor invoice template. Professional PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets formats ready to brand and send to clients today. --- Templates > Contractor > Invoice Template ## Free Contractor Invoice Template Professional estimate template used by 10,000+ contractors. Use the PDF, Excel, or Google Sheets layout below. Fill it out in under 3 minutes. πŸ“„ PDF Excel Google Sheets No signup required. Start estimating in the SimplyWise Cost Estimator app. CONTRACTOR INVOICE Apex Construction LLC Bill to: Westfield Property Group 4500 Commerce Blvd, Dallas, TX 75201 Invoice #: INV-2026-0418 | Due: May 15, 2026 Phase 1: Foundation work (complete) $18,500 Phase 2: Framing + rough-in (complete) $32,000 Phase 3: Electrical + plumbing rough $14,500 Change order #1: Added bathroom $8,200 Materials (lumber, concrete, fixtures) $22,000 Equipment rental (crane, compactor) $3,800 BALANCE DUE $96,451 Trusted by 10,000+ contractors ⭐ 4.8 Stars πŸ“± App Store πŸ“± Google Play ## What Every Contractor Invoice Should Include βœ“ Company name, license number, and contact info βœ“ Client name and project address βœ“ Itemized work completed with dates and phase references βœ“ Materials and equipment costs with receipts referenced βœ“ Labor hours by trade with rates and crew details βœ“ Change orders with approved amounts and signatures βœ“ Retainage holdback amount and release terms βœ“ Payment terms (Net 30, Net 60) with late fee schedule βœ“ Invoice number and reference to original contract βœ“ Lien waiver status and compliance documentation βœ“ Subtotal, tax, and retainage calculations shown clearly βœ“ Accepted payment methods and remittance instructions ## How to Write a Contractor Invoice in 5 Steps ### Step 1: Reference the Contract Every invoice should tie back to the original contract or estimate. Include the contract number, project name, and relevant phase. This prevents disputes and makes payment processing faster for commercial clients. ### Step 2: Itemize Completed Work List each completed phase or milestone with dates. Reference the original scope for each item. If the work matches the contract exactly, say so. If there are variations, note them and reference the approved change order. ### Step 3: Document Change Orders Change orders get their own line items with approval dates and signatures. Never bury extra work in existing line items. It invites disputes. Clear change order documentation is the #1 way to avoid payment problems. ### Step 4: Calculate Retainage and Terms Most commercial contracts hold 5-10% retainage until project completion. Show the retainage calculation, running total held, and release conditions. For residential, specify deposit credited, progress payments, and final payment terms. ### Step 5: Send and Track Payment Send invoices within 48 hours of completing a milestone. Include multiple payment options (check, ACH, credit card). For Net 30 terms, follow up at Day 15, Day 28, and Day 31. Consistent follow-up is the difference between 30-day and 90-day collections. ## Average Contractor Project Costs to Benchmark Your Invoices Use these benchmarks as starting points. Actual costs vary by region, materials, and job complexity. | Job Type | Material Cost | Labor Cost | Total Range | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Kitchen remodel (mid-range) | $15,000 – $25,000 | $10,000 – $20,000 | $30,000 – $50,000 | | Bathroom remodel (full) | $8,000 – $15,000 | $6,000 – $12,000 | $18,000 – $30,000 | | Room addition (200 sq ft) | $20,000 – $35,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 | $40,000 – $70,000 | | Deck build (400 sq ft composite) | $6,000 – $12,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 | $12,000 – $22,000 | | Basement finishing (1,000 sq ft) | $10,000 – $20,000 | $8,000 – $15,000 | $20,000 – $40,000 | | Whole-home renovation | $40,000 – $80,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 | $80,000 – $160,000 | Costs vary by region. Get a location-specific estimate in 6 seconds with SimplyWise Cost Estimator β†’ ## Invoicing Best Practices for Contractors ### Invoice immediately after milestones Don’t wait until the end of the month. Send invoices within 48 hours of completing each phase. Delayed invoicing signals you don’t need the money, which trains clients to deprioritize your payments. ### Always reference the contract Every invoice should include the contract number, project name, and specific phase being billed. Commercial clients process dozens of invoices weekly. Make yours easy to match, approve, and pay. ### Include lien waiver with every invoice Conditional lien waivers for current invoices, unconditional for past invoices already paid. GCs and property owners expect them. Having them ready speeds up payment by 5-10 days. ### Track retainage separately Show cumulative retainage held on every invoice. Both parties should always agree on the total held. Disputes over retainage at project close are the #1 source of contractor payment conflicts. ### Offer multiple payment methods Accept ACH, credit cards, checks, and wire transfers. Every friction point costs you 5-10 days. For credit cards, build the 3% processing fee into your markup rather than adding it as a surcharge. ### Send payment reminders automatically Day 15: friendly reminder. Day 28: formal notice. Day 31: past due with late fee. Automation removes the awkwardness and ensures consistent follow-up. Most accounting software handles this. ## Estimate Template vs. Estimating Software Free Template ### Free - βœ“ Pre-filled line items - βœ“ PDF, Excel, Google Sheets - βœ“ Print or email to clients - βœ“ Manual updates required - βœ“ No cost database Free to Try ### SimplyWise App - βœ“ Photo-to-estimate in 6 seconds - βœ“ Live material pricing by ZIP code - βœ“ Professional PDF estimates + invoices - βœ“ Send directly to clients - βœ“ Track all your estimates ## Frequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between an invoice and an estimate? When should I send an invoice? How do I handle change orders on invoices? What payment terms are standard for contractors? Should I charge late fees on overdue invoices? ## More Free Templates for Contractors CONSTRUCTION BID Cornerstone Builders Site prep + demolition $12,000 Framing + rough-in $48,000 Materials allowance $35,000 BID TOTAL $142,800 ### Construction Bid Template Competitive bid template with scope, exclusions, alternates, and commercial terms built in. GENERAL ESTIMATE Foundation General Contracting Project scope of work $24,000 Materials + permits $18,500 Labor (4-person crew) $16,800 TOTAL $62,300 ### General Contractor Estimate All-purpose contractor estimate for remodels, additions, and multi-trade projects. ROOFING ESTIMATE Johnson Roofing Co. Tear-off existing shingles (30 sq) $2,400 GAF Timberline HDZ shingles $4,200 Labor (3-person crew, 2 days) $3,600 TOTAL $15,940 ### Roofing Estimate Template Asphalt shingles, metal, flat roofs with tear-off, materials, labor, and warranty line items built in. ## Ready to save hours on every estimate? SimplyWise turns a photo into a professional estimate in 6 seconds. SimplyWise Templates Blog Privacy (https://simplywise.com/privacy) Terms (https://simplywise.com/terms) --- ## About SimplyWise SimplyWise, Inc. (New York, NY) builds mobile apps for contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners. The SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job site photo into an itemized estimate with labor and material costs in about 6 seconds, and the client signs the branded quote to approve it. It is rated 4.8 on the App Store. It is free to try with a 7-day free trial, then $29.99 per month or $239.99 per year (about $20 per month on the annual plan), and one subscription includes every app in the SimplyWise suite. - Download: https://www.simplywise.com/download - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplywise-cost-estimator/id6670619664 - Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplywise.costestimator - Every SimplyWise page as plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/llms.txt