Contract work invoice template

You are a professional who delivers their services by contract – you don’t have time to waste on administrative tasks like creating a different invoice for each contract customer. You need to get paid for your hard work and expertise, so why not get a little help running your business with one of our easy-to-use, fully customizable contract work invoice templates in Word, Excel, PDF, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. Spend your time, energy, and expertise on your clients – not on invoicing.

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Choose the best invoice template for your contract work

Contract work

As a contract worker, your flexibility is one of your greatest advantages. This invoice template is also incredibly flexible, so it can be used to bill all your clients, no matter what length of contract you agreed to. Simply add lines to describe all the details.

Consulting services

If you provide expert consulting services on contract to help clients improve their businesses, or their lives, you can improve your ability to get paid promptly and properly with this free invoice template.

If you provide expert consulting services on contract to help clients improve their businesses, you should get paid  for it. Use this consulting invoice template to bill your customers and get paid promptly.

Agency clients

Don’t waste your energy designing an invoice for each of your agency clients. Use your time and effort to dazzle them with your contracted services instead. This invoice can be easily customized to meet all your contract invoicing needs.

Retainer services

Download, customize, and send this retainer services invoice to clients who contract you for longer projects. It can be modified for any time period, with lines to fill in all the details for the requested services.

Download, customize, and send this retainer services invoice to clients who contract you for longer projects. It can be modified for any time period, with lines to fill in all the details for the requested services.

Labor

Do you provide labor on contract to construction companies? Capture the fee for the hard work you do with this free contract work invoice template – and make sure you are fully compensated for your time and energy.

Alternatives to using contract work invoice templates

Make your contract business a success by finding out more about what Wave can offer you. Save time and take even more work off your hands by trying our free automated invoicing and powerful accounting.

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Why contract workers should send professional invoices

Illustration of invoice being sent

As a professional, you bring experience, skills, and knowledge to every contract you work on. You need clear, itemized invoices that include details of all the great work you have provided, as well as show your clients the advantage of hiring you on contract again, and refer you to their business associates and friends.

An orderly, well-designed invoice also instills confidence and credibility in your reputation and excellent work. You are an expert in your contracted field – make sure your invoice reflects your skill and professionalism.

How to fill out your contract work invoice

Once you've downloaded your free invoice template, you'll need to customize it to fit your specific business. Here are the 10 key things to include on your invoice:

  1. Title and Description: Name the project and briefly describe what type of work your client is being invoiced for.
  2. Company Details: Add your company name, address, phone number, and logo to the top-right corner.
  3. Customer Details: Under "Bill To", add your customer's name, address, and contact information.
  4. Invoice Number: Include a unique invoice number to help you track down this invoice in the future. You can format this based on sequence and customer. For example, if you're sending your very first customer their first invoice,  the invoice number could be 001-001.
  5. Dates: Include the date when your invoice has been issued and the date when payment is due.
  6. Line Item: Add individual line items for each unique good or service you provided. For each line item, include a brief description, quantity, individual unit price, and total price.
  7. Subtotal: Add up the subtotal of your goods or services, before tax has been applied.
  8. Tax: Indicate the tax rate applied to the subtotal. This is legally required to provide on invoices, and your rate may differ depending on where you run your business.
  9. Total: Outline the total amount due from the customer, after tax.
  10. Notes: Include any additional info your customer should know, including terms of service and payment terms (for example, payments are due 30 days after the invoice has been issued).

What should be included on an invoice for contract workers?

You fit in easily, and get up to speed fast when you take on a contract position at a company or organization. Make sure you send out an invoice that is equally as effective at getting you paid by following these important invoicing steps.

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  • Look through our great selection of invoice templates in different designs and colors created especially for contract work, and pick the one you like best in the format you usually use – such as Word, Excel, PDF, Google Docs, or Google Sheets
  • Download the invoice template. It’s fast and it’s free!
  • Add your business name, address, phone number, email address, and your area of expertise
  • Insert your beautifully designed business logo, along with your website, and any graphics you use to represent your business
  • Add in your client’s name and correct contact information
  • Generate a unique invoice number and add it to the template
  • Include the date of the invoice, contract start and finish dates, and the payment due date
  • List the contract work you’ve done, including the price you charge based on an hourly, daily, or flat fee
  • Add lines to include any extra charges you incurred while on contract, such as travel, research, and materials and supplies
  • If you are including a discount for a regular contract customer, or an agency client, add a line explaining the discount so your client knows they are getting an extremely good price for your expert contract services
  • Calculate the price, including applicable tax, and enter the total
  • Include your payment terms, such as the methods of payment you accept
  • Make sure you add a personal note at the end, such as a thank you, or to tell your client how much you enjoyed working with them. It may lead to another contract or a valuable referral!
  • Save a copy of the invoice – and send it off!

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When is the right time to send an invoice to your contract clients?

The right time to send an invoice varies with the type of contract services you provide. If it is a short job or project, some contract workers invoice at completion.

As an independent business owner you need to keep the revenue coming in, so for longer contracts, many contract workers ask for a percentage of the payment up front, with the remainder on completion of the contract, or send in bi-weekly or monthly invoices.

Whatever payment time period you choose, make sure it’s clearly noted on each invoice, and clarify what portion of the final ‘cost’ has been paid to date.

Illustration of hourglass timer

Invoicing tips for contract workers

Include professional recommendations

Keep a record with numbered invoices

Always include a ‘payment due’ date

Don’t be shy about following up

Free Invoice Template vs. Wave Invoicing Software

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