General Contractor Invoice Template
A general contractor invoice bills project, lists services, materials and labour on separate lines and states the terms (Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7). This template is pre-filled for build a 12x16 ft single-story rear addition with one window and an exterior door: 9 lines totalling $37,338.00 before tax. Edit it and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a general contractor: build a 12x16 ft single-story rear addition with one window and an exterior door. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Riverside General Contracting
513 Market Street
Salem, MA 01970
billing@example.com
(503) 555-0113
Invoice
Bill to
Sam Patel
52 Aspen Way
Franklin, TN 37064
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permit and plan review fee | 1 each | $1,450.00 | $1,450.00 |
| Foundation: footings and 12x16 ft slabExcavation, forms, rebar, 4-in slab on vapor barrier | 1 project | $8,600.00 | $8,600.00 |
| Framing labor, walls and roof2x6 walls, engineered rafters, wall and roof sheathing | 96 hr | $68.00 | $6,528.00 |
| Framing lumber and sheathing package | 1 lot | $6,950.00 | $6,950.00 |
| Roofing subcontract, shingles tied into existing roof | 1 project | $3,400.00 | $3,400.00 |
| Electrical subcontract: one circuit, 6 outlets, 2 fixtures | 1 project | $2,900.00 | $2,900.00 |
| Window and exterior door, supplied and installed | 2 each | $1,150.00 | $2,300.00 |
| Insulation, drywall and two coats of paint | 640 sq ft | $6.50 | $4,160.00 |
| Dumpster rental, 20-yard, two hauls | 2 each | $525.00 | $1,050.00 |
- Subtotal
- $37,338.00
- Balance due
- $37,338.00
Notes
Thank you for choosing Riverside General Contracting. Terms: Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7.
Payment details
Bank transfer or card. Please quote the invoice number.
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General Contractor invoice at a glance
| Typical job | Build a 12x16 ft single-story rear addition with one window and an exterior door |
|---|---|
| Main billing unit | project |
| Usual payment terms | Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7 |
| Deposit practice | A deposit of 10-30% is typical before work starts, but many states cap home-improvement deposits, so check your state's rules. |
| Sample lines | 9 lines, $37,338.00 before tax |
| Largest line | Foundation: footings and 12x16 ft slab: $8,600.00 (23%) |
| Labour hours billed | 96 h, $6,528.00 |
| Trade-specific fields | Contractor license no., Job site address, Permit no., Contract no., Draw no., Change order no. |
Sample general contractor invoice line items
Build a 12x16 ft single-story rear addition with one window and an exterior door: 9 lines adding up to $37,338.00, split into services $19,060.00 (51%), materials $9,250.00 (25%) and labour $6,528.00 (17%).
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permit and plan review fee | 1 each | $1,450.00 | $1,450.00 |
| Foundation: footings and 12x16 ft slab (Excavation, forms, rebar, 4-in slab on vapor barrier) | 1 project | $8,600.00 | $8,600.00 |
| Framing labor, walls and roof (2x6 walls, engineered rafters, wall and roof sheathing) | 96 hr | $68.00 | $6,528.00 |
| Framing lumber and sheathing package | 1 lot | $6,950.00 | $6,950.00 |
| Roofing subcontract, shingles tied into existing roof | 1 project | $3,400.00 | $3,400.00 |
| Electrical subcontract: one circuit, 6 outlets, 2 fixtures | 1 project | $2,900.00 | $2,900.00 |
| Window and exterior door, supplied and installed | 2 each | $1,150.00 | $2,300.00 |
| Insulation, drywall and two coats of paint | 640 sq ft | $6.50 | $4,160.00 |
| Dumpster rental, 20-yard, two hauls | 2 each | $525.00 | $1,050.00 |
| Subtotal | $37,338.00 | ||
| Total before tax | $37,338.00 |
What a general contractor invoice should include
- Your general contracting business name, address, phone and email, plus a tax ID if you are registered
- The customer's name and billing address (Sam Patel in the sample)
- A unique invoice number (INV-6999) and the issue date
- Payment terms and a due date: Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7
- Contractor license no.: for example LIC-535218
- Job site address: for example 52 Aspen Way
- Permit no.: for example BP-405749
- Contract no.: for example See notes
- Line items in project or per item, each with quantity, rate and amount
- How to pay you: bank details, card link or cheque payee
How general contractors bill
Bills a fixed contract price or a cost-plus fee in progress draws tied to milestones, with approved change orders priced separately.
General contractors commonly use "Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7", so payment is due 7 days after the invoice date. A deposit of 10-30% is typical before work starts, but many states cap home-improvement deposits, so check your state's rules.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Construction Managers $51.43 (employees, not contractor rates). The sample's $68.00 per hour for "Framing labor, walls and roof" is 1.3 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
General Contractor invoicing tips
- Bill each draw against the schedule of values in the contract, showing percent complete for every line, the amount previously billed and the balance to finish, so the owner can check it against what is visibly built.
- Give approved change orders their own lines with the change order number and signature date; blending extra work into base-contract lines is the quickest way to get an entire draw held up.
- If the contract withholds retainage, show the gross amount earned, the retainage held back and the net amount payable on every progress invoice, then bill the released retainage separately at substantial completion.
- Reference the lien waivers collected from subcontractors and suppliers for the previous draw, because lenders and careful owners often refuse to release funds until those waivers are in hand.
General Contractor billing disputes to head off
- Owners dispute charges for work they believed was in the original scope. Quoting the contract line or change order number next to every charge settles most of these arguments before they begin.
- Billing ahead of actual progress invites a lender inspection and a delayed payment, so invoice only work that is in place and can be seen on site.
Work a general contractor can bill for
Core tasks of Construction Managers (O*NET 11-9021.00, O*NET 29.x task statements, CC BY 4.0). Each can become a line on the invoice.
- Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
- Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
- Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
- Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
- Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
- Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.
How to make a general contractor invoice
-
Add both parties
Enter Riverside General Contracting (your business) and the customer, Sam Patel, then contractor license no..
-
Number and terms
Give it a unique number such as INV-6999 and set the terms to Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7.
-
List the work
One line per item: the sample runs from "Building permit and plan review fee" (1 each) to "Dumpster rental, 20-yard, two hauls" (2 each).
-
Check the total
The 9 lines come to $37,338.00; add sales tax only if your state taxes general contracting work.
-
Download and send
Download the PDF or print it, then keep a copy with the general contracting work records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a general contractor invoice?
Add your general contracting business details, the customer, contractor license no., job site address, permit no. and contract no., then one line per item with quantity and rate. The template above is pre-filled with 9 lines for build a 12x16 ft single-story rear addition with one window and an exterior door totalling $37,338.00; change the prices and download the PDF.
How do general contractors charge?
Mostly project. Bills a fixed contract price or a cost-plus fee in progress draws tied to milestones, with approved change orders priced separately.
When should a general contractor invoice be paid?
Progress draws per contract schedule, each due Net 7 is the usual arrangement. A deposit of 10-30% is typical before work starts, but many states cap home-improvement deposits, so check your state's rules. Put the terms and the due date on the invoice so there is no doubt.
How much do general contractors earn per hour?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Construction Managers $51.43 (employees, not contractor rates). Self-employed rates are usually higher because they cover overhead and unbilled time.