Construction money moves in draws, change orders, and retainage — and the invoice is the document that keeps all three straight. This template arrives filled in like a real residential build.
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The anatomy
What belongs on the invoice
On the document
The draw or progress-billing reference tied to your payment schedule
Change orders as numbered, separate lines — never folded into the base price
Labor and materials split, with quantities where they matter
Retainage withheld or released, shown explicitly if your contract holds it
Your contractor license number
The period of work and the property address
Common line items
Draw 2 of 4 — framing complete, per schedule
Deck framing and build — labor
Lumber and hardware materials
Change order CO-2 — relocated exterior door
Finish carpentry — hours
Final draw — punch list complete
Rates are yours to set — the generator does the math.
01
Invoice the draw schedule, not the calendar
Tie each invoice to a milestone the client can see — "Draw 2 of 4: framing complete." Visible progress approves itself; date-based bills invite "what am I paying for."
02
Number every change order
CO-1, CO-2, each its own line with its own price. Change orders folded quietly into the total are how good projects end in bad disputes.
03
Know the rules before a payment is late
Lien rights, preliminary notices, and filing deadlines vary sharply by state and project. If they may matter, confirm the current rules with a qualified local professional before work starts.
General invoicing guidance, reviewed July 16, 2026 — not tax or legal advice. Rules vary by location and trade; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified adviser.
FAQ
Questions, answered
What is retainage and how do I invoice it?
A percentage — commonly 5 to 10% — withheld from each draw until the job is accepted. Show it on each invoice if your contract includes it, then bill the accumulated retainage as its own final invoice on completion.
How do change orders show up on the invoice?
As their own numbered lines — "CO-2: relocated exterior door" — priced and dated, matching the signed change order. The invoice should reconcile to the contract plus the numbered changes, nothing else.
Can I ask for money up front?
A deposit or first draw at contract signing is normal — but several states cap upfront payments on residential work, so check your state's rules before setting the percentage.
Progress invoice or one final bill?
Progress draws, almost always. They keep your cash ahead of your material costs and surface payment problems while the job — and your leverage — is still in motion.