The short version
Each guide covers one trade: the lines that belong on the invoice, how to write it step by step, a filled-in example, the billing situations that trade runs into, the mistakes that cost money, and the questions people in it actually ask. The template each guide describes is free and opens with those lines already priced.
On the tools
Site work, callouts and materials
Plumberthe call-out, labor by the hour, parts and markup, waste disposalElectriciancall-out and labor, materials, certification and testingHVAC technicianservice visits, filters, refrigerant, labor, maintenance contractsContractorprogress billing, variations, retention, materials and subcontractorsCarpenterday rates against per unit pricing, lumber and materials, installed workPainting contractorpricing by room or by square foot, coats, preparation, paint and punch listRooferrepairs against replacements, access and scaffolding, materials by areaLandscapermaintenance visits against project work, green waste, plantsHandymanhourly and half-day rates, minimum charges, materials and collection timeLocksmithcall-out and emergency rates, non-destructive entry, lock supplyFlooring installerpricing per square foot, subfloor preparation, underlayment and trimsTilerpricing per square foot, preparation and tanking, adhesive and grout, cutsWelder and fabricatorshop rate against site work, materials by weight or length, consumablesAuto mechaniclabor by the hour, parts and markup, diagnosticsAppliance repair techniciancall-out and diagnostic fees, parts and ordering, second visitsPest control techniciantreatment programs and follow-up visits, products used, proofing workCleaning contractorregular contracts against one-off deep cleans, per-visit pricingMoving companyhourly crews against fixed quotes, packing materials, storage
Studio and screen
Project fees, licensing and revisions
Photographersession fees, edited images, usage license, deposits and travelVideographerfilming days, editing per finished minute, deliverable formatsGraphic designerconcepts, revision rounds, source files, usage rightsIllustratorcommission fee, concept sketches, usage license and termWeb designerdiscovery, per page design, build, revision rounds, what is excludedWriterper word, per page or per project, plus revision rounds, kill feesMusicianperformance fee, equipment rental, travel, deposits that hold the dateTranslatorsource or target word counts, proofreading, certified workSocial media managerposts per platform, community management, ad spend kept separateMarketing agencyseparating ad spend from your management fee, retainers
Practices and offices
Hourly work, retainers and scopes
Accountantthe period covered, filing references, fixed fees against hourlyLawyermatter references, time in billing increments, disbursements against feesArchitectpercentage fees against fixed stage fees, work stagesEngineerfixed fees against hourly rates, site visits, reports and drawingsConsultantday rates, phased engagements, deliverables a finance team will approveIT services providermanaged monthly fees, project hours, per device and per user pricingReal estate professionalcommission against flat fees, marketing costs, property managementEvent plannercoordination fee, vendor costs, deposit schedules tied to the date
People and premises
Sessions, blocks and cancellations
Tutorwhat to itemize, billing a block of sessions, charging for a missed lessonTherapistsession length, packages, late cancellationsPersonal trainersession blocks, drawdowns, no-shows, online coachingChildcare providerhourly and weekly rates, retainers, late pickup, vacation, sick daysHair and beauty professionalservices and treatments, product retail, mobile and bridal workPet services providerdog walking blocks, grooming, boarding and daycare, per pet pricingDriving instructorhourly lessons and block bookings, test day fees, cancellationsCatererper head pricing, final numbers, deposits, staffing, rentals
However you work
When the trade is not the point
Getting paid
Not a trade, a job: what to do when the work is done and the money is not in
No guide for that yet. Build an invoice and the trade presets cover 46 kinds of work.
Free invoice templates by trade
Every guide sits alongside a template. There are 46 trade invoice templates in total, each opening with the lines that trade bills in, plus 278 designs to put them in.