Progress billing
How to bill a job in stages: the schedule of values, a worked progress invoice with retainage, pay applications and AIA forms, and the quote wording that gets each stage paid.
Chasing an unpaid invoice
What to do when a client is not paying: the day-one reminder email, the day-seven call, the overdue notice with the late fee, the final demand letter, then liens, small claims and collections.
Change orders
When to write a change order, what goes on the form, how to price extra work including time and materials, keeping a log, and how an approved change reaches the invoice.
Deposit invoices
When to ask for a deposit, how much, deposit versus down payment versus retainer, the wording on the quote and the deposit invoice, and how the final invoice shows the balance due.
Invoice numbers
An invoice numbering system that never repeats or skips, format examples with a year or job prefix, separate series for quotes and credit notes, and where the number goes on the invoice.