Free General Contractor Invoice Template & Generator
Generate general contracting invoices for renovations, new construction, and project management. Bill by phase or cost-plus.
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What to include on a General Contractor invoice
Your invoice needs the specifics that prove you did the work and justify the cost. Include the project address, not just the client's billing address. Break down labor by trade and materials by category. If you're billing for change orders, reference the change order number and date it was approved. Most clients have someone in accounting who never visited the job site, so they need to match your invoice against the original contract and any approved changes.
Most residential jobs work on a draw schedule tied to completion percentages. Commercial work often follows AIA billing with applications for payment each month. Expect to put 10-20% down from the client upfront, then bill at defined milestones like foundation complete, framing complete, rough-ins done. Net 30 is standard but you can offer a 2% discount for payment within 10 days. Hold back your final invoice until you have signed lien waivers from all subs.
Always attach photos to your invoice for each completed phase. It takes five minutes but cuts payment delays in half because it stops the "but is it really done" questions before they start. The client's lender or internal approver can see the work happened without scheduling a site visit.
Frequently asked questions
How do general contractors bill for projects?
GCs use fixed-price bids, cost-plus (costs + 10–20% markup), or time-and-materials. Large projects use progress billing tied to milestones. Always get a written contract before starting.
What should a general contractor invoice include?
Include project phase, work completed this billing period, materials purchased, subcontractor costs, permit fees, change orders, retainage held, and percentage of project completed.
What is retainage and should GCs include it?
Retainage is 5–10% of each payment held until project completion. It protects the client and ensures the GC finishes the job. Show retainage withheld and the running total on each invoice.