Professional Invoices & Proposals for Tradespeople

Professional invoices in seconds — whether you are on site or in the van. Built for plumbers, electricians, builders, and every trade in between.

Trade work moves fast. You need to quote on site, collect deposits before ordering materials, and invoice the moment a job is done. OwnedWork gives tradespeople simple tools to create clear invoices that separate labour from materials, track deposits, and look professional — all from your phone or laptop.

The Document Headache for Tradespeople

Materials vs Labour Pricing

Clients want to see materials and labour listed separately. Bundling them together raises suspicion; breaking them out takes time if you do not have a system.

Call-Out Charges

Communicating call-out fees clearly avoids disputes. Clients need to see the charge on the invoice with a clear explanation.

Deposit Collection

Ordering materials before a job starts means laying out your own money. Collecting deposits protects your cash flow but needs to be managed professionally.

Multiple Jobs Per Day

Tradespeople often complete several jobs in a day. Without a quick invoicing system, paperwork piles up and payments are delayed.

How OwnedWork Helps

Labour & Materials Split

Add separate line items for labour hours and materials cost. Keep pricing transparent and reduce disputes with clients.

Quick Invoice Creation

Create and send an invoice in under a minute. Perfect for invoicing on site before you leave for the next job.

Deposit Invoicing

Send a deposit invoice before starting work. Track the deposit and generate a balance invoice when the job is complete.

PDF & Shareable Links

Share invoices via link or WhatsApp. Generate PDFs for clients who prefer a formal document for their records.

Receipt Generation

Issue receipts for cash and bank transfer payments. Keep clean records for your accountant and tax return.

Example Invoice for Tradespeople

DescriptionQtyRateAmount
Labour (8 hours @ £45/hr)8£45.00£360.00
Materials (supplied & fitted)1£320.00£320.00
Call-out fee1£60.00£60.00
Waste removal & disposal1£40.00£40.00
Total£780.00

How to Invoice as a Tradesperson

A trade invoice should clearly separate labour and materials. List your hours and hourly rate for labour, and itemise materials with costs. Add any additional charges — call-out fees, waste removal, parking — as separate line items.

Include your name or business name, address, invoice number, and payment terms. If you are CIS registered, include your UTR number. For VAT-registered tradespeople, show VAT separately. See our invoicing guide for the full breakdown.

OwnedWork lets you create a professional invoice on site in under a minute — no more scribbling on notepads.

Quoting for Trade Work

A clear quote sets expectations and avoids disputes. Visit the site, assess the work, and provide a written quote with labour, materials, and any additional costs listed separately.

Use OwnedWork to send a professional quote or proposal with your terms and a validity period (e.g. valid for 30 days). If the client accepts, convert it into an invoice or deposit request with a single click.

Tip: For larger jobs, provide a fixed quote rather than an estimate. Clients prefer certainty, and a fixed price protects you from underquoting if you have assessed the job correctly.

Collecting Deposits for Trade Work

Deposits protect your cash flow, especially when you need to order materials before starting a job. A deposit of 20-30% is standard for larger jobs, while smaller jobs may not require one.

Send a deposit invoice through OwnedWork before ordering materials. When the job is complete, generate a balance invoice showing the deposit already paid and the remaining amount due.

  • 20-30% deposit for jobs over £500
  • Materials cost upfront for bespoke or special-order items
  • Balance due on completion or within 7 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I separate labour and materials on an invoice?

Add them as separate line items. List labour with hours and hourly rate, and materials with a description and cost. OwnedWork calculates the totals automatically.

Should I charge a call-out fee?

Yes, if travel to the job site is significant. A typical call-out fee in the UK ranges from £40-80. List it as a separate line item on your invoice.

How much deposit should I ask for trade work?

20-30% is standard for larger jobs. For smaller jobs under £500, you may not need a deposit. Always send a deposit invoice through OwnedWork to keep a paper trail.

Do I need to provide VAT invoices as a tradesperson?

Only if you are VAT registered (turnover above £90,000). If you are, OwnedWork shows VAT separately on your invoices automatically.

Can I send invoices from my phone on site?

Yes. OwnedWork works on any device. Create and send a professional invoice from your phone before you leave the job site.

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