Contractor billing guides
How-to guides
Practical billing guides for contractors — each links to our free invoice and estimate tools.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
- How to Write a Contractor InvoiceStep-by-step guide to professional contractor invoices, what to include, how to number them, and a free PDF template.
- What Is Net 30?Net 30 payment terms explained for contractors, when payment is due, how it differs from due on receipt, and what to put on your invoice.
- Sales Tax on Contractor Labor: What Trades Need to KnowWhen to charge sales tax on contractor labor vs materials, state patterns, bundled jobs, and how to enter your rate on invoices.
- Estimate vs Quote vs Proposal: What Contractors Should SendEstimate, quote, and proposal mean different things to clients, when to use each, and why our PDF says ESTIMATE.
- Invoice vs Receipt: When Contractors Should Use EachInvoice bills for work done or owed; receipt proves payment in full. When to send each PDF and free templates.
- Retainage & Progress Billing for ContractorsHow retainage works on construction invoices — typical percentages, when to release, and how to show draws on PDFs.