Architect Invoice Template
An architect invoice bills phase, lists services, fees and labour on separate lines and states the terms (Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30). This template is pre-filled for design a 600 sq ft two-story rear addition to a single-family house through the permit set: 9 lines totalling $24,952.00 before tax. Edit it and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for an architect: design a 600 sq ft two-story rear addition to a single-family house through the permit set. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Northgate Architecture Firm
664 Market Street
Springfield, IL 62704
billing@example.com
(608) 555-0164
Invoice
Bill to
Jordan Avery
8 Chestnut Lane
Georgetown, TX 78626
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing-conditions measurement and as-built drawings | 1 project | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 |
| Schematic designTwo layout options, massing study, zoning check | 1 phase | $4,200.00 | $4,200.00 |
| Design developmentRefined plans, elevations, window and finish selections | 1 phase | $5,600.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Construction documents, permit setPlans, sections, details, energy and code notes | 1 phase | $7,800.00 | $7,800.00 |
| Structural engineer, consultant feeFraming and foundation design, billed at cost plus 10% | 1 each | $2,640.00 | $2,640.00 |
| Plan-check comment responsesRevisions requested by the building department | 6 hr | $150.00 | $900.00 |
| Exterior 3D renderings for neighbor review | 2 each | $350.00 | $700.00 |
| Plotting of permit sets, 24 x 36 inReimbursable expense | 36 sheet | $4.50 | $162.00 |
| Building permit application fee, advanced for owner | 1 each | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 |
- Subtotal
- $24,952.00
- Balance due
- $24,952.00
Notes
Thank you for choosing Northgate Architecture Firm. Terms: Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30.
Payment details
Bank transfer or card. Please quote the invoice number.
Made with Billwise - invoice-pdf-maker-app.web.app
Preview of the PDF. Everything stays in your browser: nothing is uploaded.
Architect invoice at a glance
| Typical job | Design a 600 sq ft two-story rear addition to a single-family house through the permit set |
|---|---|
| Main billing unit | phase |
| Usual payment terms | Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30 |
| Deposit practice | Many architects take an initial retainer at signing that is credited against the final invoice of the project. |
| Sample lines | 9 lines, $24,952.00 before tax |
| Largest line | Construction documents, permit set: $7,800.00 (31%) |
| Labour hours billed | 6 h, $900.00 |
| Trade-specific fields | Architect license no., Project address, Project no., Current phase, Agreement date, Parcel / APN |
Sample architect invoice line items
Design a 600 sq ft two-story rear addition to a single-family house through the permit set: 9 lines adding up to $24,952.00, split into services $22,740.00 (91%), fees $1,150.00 (5%) and labour $900.00 (4%).
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing-conditions measurement and as-built drawings | 1 project | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 |
| Schematic design (Two layout options, massing study, zoning check) | 1 phase | $4,200.00 | $4,200.00 |
| Design development (Refined plans, elevations, window and finish selections) | 1 phase | $5,600.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Construction documents, permit set (Plans, sections, details, energy and code notes) | 1 phase | $7,800.00 | $7,800.00 |
| Structural engineer, consultant fee (Framing and foundation design, billed at cost plus 10%) | 1 each | $2,640.00 | $2,640.00 |
| Plan-check comment responses (Revisions requested by the building department) | 6 hr | $150.00 | $900.00 |
| Exterior 3D renderings for neighbor review | 2 each | $350.00 | $700.00 |
| Plotting of permit sets, 24 x 36 in (Reimbursable expense) | 36 sheet | $4.50 | $162.00 |
| Building permit application fee, advanced for owner | 1 each | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Subtotal | $24,952.00 | ||
| Total before tax | $24,952.00 |
What an architect invoice should include
- Your architecture firm name, address, phone and email, plus a tax ID if you are registered
- The customer's name and billing address (Jordan Avery in the sample)
- A unique invoice number (INV-1302) and the issue date
- Payment terms and a due date: Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30
- Architect license no.: for example LIC-840283
- Project address: for example 8 Chestnut Lane
- Project no.: for example Design a 600 sq ft two-story rear addition to a single-family house through the permit set
- Current phase: for example See notes
- Line items in phase or per item, each with quantity, rate and amount
- How to pay you: bank details, card link or cheque payee
How architects bill
Splits the design fee into phases from schematic design to construction administration and bills monthly by percent of each phase complete, with reimbursable expenses and consultants added.
Architects commonly use "Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30", so payment is due 30 days after the invoice date. Many architects take an initial retainer at signing that is credited against the final invoice of the project.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $46.49 (employees, not contractor rates). The sample's $150.00 per hour for "Plan-check comment responses" is 3.2 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
Architect invoicing tips
- Bill each phase as a percentage complete of its fee, with the amount billed to date and the remaining balance, so the owner can compare the invoice with the drawings they have actually received.
- Keep reimbursable expenses such as plotting, permit fees you advanced and consultant fees in a separate block with the markup stated in the agreement, because owners read them differently from your design fee.
- Bill extra design options or redesign after the owner signed off on design development as additional services with the date of the change request, not as an overrun of the current phase.
- List construction administration site visits by date and purpose, since owners comparing your bill with the contractor's schedule will look for the visits that match each pour or inspection.
Architect billing disputes to head off
- An owner who changes the layout during construction documents may expect it to be free. Referencing the approved design development date on the invoice shows when the change became additional work.
- Advancing the permit fee and burying it inside a phase line means the owner cannot see it was a pass-through; a separate line with the receipt gets it paid.
Work an architect can bill for
Core tasks of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (O*NET 17-1011.00, O*NET 29.x task statements, CC BY 4.0). Each can become a line on the invoice.
- Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
- Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
- Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
- Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
- Administer construction contracts.
- Represent clients in obtaining bids or awarding construction contracts.
How to make an architect invoice
-
Add both parties
Enter Northgate Architecture Firm (your business) and the customer, Jordan Avery, then architect license no..
-
Number and terms
Give it a unique number such as INV-1302 and set the terms to Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30.
-
List the work
One line per item: the sample runs from "Existing-conditions measurement and as-built drawings" (1 project) to "Building permit application fee, advanced for owner" (1 each).
-
Check the total
The 9 lines come to $24,952.00; add sales tax only if your state taxes architectural design work.
-
Download and send
Download the PDF or print it, then keep a copy with the architectural design work records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an architect invoice?
Add your architecture firm details, the customer, architect license no., project address, project no. and current phase, then one line per item with quantity and rate. The template above is pre-filled with 9 lines for design a 600 sq ft two-story rear addition to a single-family house through the permit set totalling $24,952.00; change the prices and download the PDF.
How do architects charge?
Mostly phase. Splits the design fee into phases from schematic design to construction administration and bills monthly by percent of each phase complete, with reimbursable expenses and consultants added.
When should an architect invoice be paid?
Monthly invoices by phase progress, Net 30 is the usual arrangement. Many architects take an initial retainer at signing that is credited against the final invoice of the project. Put the terms and the due date on the invoice so there is no doubt.
How much do architects earn per hour?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $46.49 (employees, not contractor rates). Self-employed rates are usually higher because they cover overhead and unbilled time.