Construction Invoice Template
Construction billing runs on progress payments and retainage, not one-off totals. This template bills the percentage of work completed this period, separates labor, materials and equipment, and holds back retainage — the structure general contractors and owners expect on a schedule of values.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08
Template preview
- From:
- Cornerstone Builders · License #B-92140 · billing@cornerstone.co
- Bill to:
- Owner / GC · Project: Maple St Build
- Invoice #:
- APP-004
- Period / % complete:
- Jun 2026 · 40% → 60%
- Due date:
- 2026-07-30 (Net 30)
| Description | This period | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor — crew (this period) | 180 | $62.00 | $11,160.00 |
| Materials installed | 1 | $8,400.00 | $8,400.00 |
| Equipment / plant | 1 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Work completed this period | $20,760.00 | ||
| Less retainage (10%) | −$2,076.00 | ||
| Tax (if applicable) | $0.00 | ||
| Amount due this application | $18,684.00 | ||
How to fill in each field
Percent complete
State the work completed this period as a % against the schedule of values.
Common mistake: Billing lump sums with no % complete, so owners can't verify progress.
Labor / materials / equipment
Break the period's work into labor, materials installed and equipment.
Common mistake: One combined figure, which lenders and owners won't release funds against.
Retainage
Withhold the agreed retainage (often 5–10%) as a negative line until final completion.
Common mistake: Forgetting retainage, or applying the wrong percentage per the contract.
License number
Show your contractor license number; many jurisdictions require it on the invoice.
Common mistake: Omitting the license, which can delay or void payment.
Related templates & variants
This is the construction/progress-billing variant. Smaller trade jobs can use the contractor version; general services the freelance version; broad use is on the invoice pillar page.
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Frequently asked questions
What needs to be on a construction invoice?+
Your business and license number, the project and owner/GC, the billing period and percent complete, labor/materials/equipment for the period, retainage withheld, any tax, and the amount due this application.
What is retainage on a construction invoice?+
Retainage is a percentage (often 5–10%) the owner withholds from each payment until the project is complete, to ensure the work is finished. Show it as a negative line each billing cycle.
What is progress billing?+
Progress billing invoices for the portion of work completed in a period (by % against a schedule of values), rather than the whole job at once — standard on larger construction projects.
Sources & further reading
- A contractor's guide to construction invoicing (Procore)— procore.com
- What needs to be on a construction invoice? (Site Samurai)— sitesamurai.co.uk
We review authoritative guidance when building each template. Links are for reference only.