Worked example · Handymen
Handyman invoice example: what a correct one looks like
The filled-in example below is a typical half-day visit for a property manager: a minimum call-out, three hours of labour across four small tasks, and the hardware supplied. Each task is named in the description so the tenant, the property manager and the owner all agree on what was done.
The property address and the work order number sit in the note, because a property manager paying 40 invoices a week matches on those two things first. Leave them off and your invoice sits in the query pile.
The example
Example invoice for a handyman
TAX INVOICE
Fixit Right Property Maintenance
| Description | Qty | Unit (ex GST) | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call-out and first hour (minimum charge) | 1 | $95.00 | $9.50 | $104.50 |
| Labour: rehang laundry door, adjust striker, patch 2 wall holes, replace kitchen tap washer (hours) | 2.5 | $75.00 | $18.75 | $206.25 |
| Hardware: hinges, striker plate, filler, tap washers and O-rings | 1 | $46.80 | $4.68 | $51.48 |
| Replace 6 fence palings incl. treated pine palings supplied | 6 | $18.00 | $10.80 | $118.80 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $437.30 | |||
| GST | $43.73 | |||
| Total (inc GST) | $481.03 | |||
Work order WO-11873. Tenant present for access. Rot noted in back step stringer, separate quote to follow.
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Trade-specific rules
GST notes for handymen
Handyman and property maintenance: lots of small jobs per visit, charged by the hour with a minimum call-out, plus the hardware picked up on the way.
- Hardware you buy for a job and charge to the customer carries GST at the price you charge, not the price on your receipt. Keep the receipts for your own GST credits.
- A call-out or minimum charge is part of the price of the job, so it carries GST like the labour does.
- Some work needs a licensed tradesperson (electrical, plumbing, gas, and in some states building work over a set value). Only invoice for work you are allowed to do, and describe it accurately.
- Not registered for GST? Use a plain "Invoice" with no GST lines, and do not use the words "Tax Invoice". Registration becomes compulsory once your turnover reaches $75,000.
Related
Before you send it
- Not registered for GST, or not sure? The sole trader invoice template has a no-GST version of this layout, and invoicing without GST in Australia explains what changes on the page.
- Invoicing a builder as a subbie? Read the subcontractor invoice guide for progress claims, variations and retention.
- Tired of retyping your details? The best invoice app for tradies and sole traders compares the apps Aussie handymen actually use, with current prices.
Fair questions
FAQ
Why list every small task?
Because the person paying was not there. A property manager or an owner interstate pays a list of named tasks without a phone call. "General repairs, 3 hours" gets queried.
One invoice per job or one per week?
Per job or per property is cleaner. Property managers allocate each invoice to an owner's ledger, so one invoice covering three properties creates work for them and delays your payment.
What goes in the note?
The property address, the work order or job number, and anything you found but did not fix ("Rot in back step stringer, quote to follow"). That last line often becomes your next job.
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