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Invoicing is the part of running a handyman business that nobody warned you about. You spend the day fixing things. Then you spend the evening trying to remember what you charged, writing something up in a Word document, and chasing payment three weeks later.
This guide gives you a free UK handyman invoice template, explains exactly what to include, and shows how to send invoices in a way that gets you paid faster.
Copy this template into Word, Google Docs, or use it as the basis for your invoicing software. Replace the bracketed fields with your details.
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Labour — [X hours @ £X/hour] | £[amount] |
| Materials | £[amount] |
| Total due | £[total] |
That's the complete structure. Below we explain each section in detail and show you what to watch for.
Your full name (or business name), address, phone number and email. If you operate as a limited company, you must also include your Companies House registration number. If you're VAT registered, your VAT number is mandatory on every invoice.
The client's full name and billing address. For business clients (letting agents, property managers), get the registered company name — this matters if you ever need to chase payment formally.
Sequential invoice numbers (INV-001, INV-002...) are a legal requirement for VAT-registered businesses and good practice for everyone. They make it easy to reference specific invoices when chasing payment and match records during your Self Assessment.
Don't write "labour" or "general repairs". Write what you actually did. "Replaced bathroom tap washer, re-sealed around bath, adjusted two door frames" is far better. Clear descriptions prevent disputes and look professional.
Show labour and materials as separate line items. If you completed multiple jobs in one visit, list them individually. Clients who can see where their money went are less likely to query the total.
State exactly when payment is due and include your bank sort code and account number. The fewer steps between "invoice received" and "payment sent", the faster you get paid. Don't make them ask for your bank details.
If your turnover is below the VAT threshold (£90,000 as of 2025), you do not need to charge VAT and should not add it to your invoices. Simply omit any mention of VAT entirely.
If you are VAT registered:
Voluntary VAT registration before the threshold can make sense if your main clients are VAT-registered businesses (they reclaim it anyway), but it adds admin. Discuss with an accountant before registering early.
Standard payment terms for independent handymen in the UK:
Avoid 30-day terms unless you're working with a large property management company that requires them contractually. Thirty days is a long time to wait when you're a sole trader.
A template in Word or Google Docs works fine for two or three invoices a week. Beyond that, the cumulative cost adds up:
Vestcube handles invoicing as part of the job lifecycle. When you mark a job complete, the invoice is generated, branded, and sent automatically. Overdue invoices trigger a follow-up reminder. Your whole invoice history is searchable. And at tax time, you have a clean export of all income.
Your name and address, the client's name and address, a unique invoice number, the date of issue, a description of work done, itemised costs, your payment terms, and your bank details. VAT registration number if applicable.
Only if your annual turnover exceeds £90,000 (the current VAT threshold). Below that, VAT registration is voluntary and most sole traders don't bother.
No legal deadline, but best practice is the same day you complete the job. The longer you wait, the longer your payment wait.
Payment on completion for domestic work; 7-day net for regular clients; 50% deposit up front for jobs over £300 or first-time clients.
Stop writing invoices by hand
Vestcube sends a branded invoice the moment you mark a job done. Free to start.
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