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Last edited May 2022 — 2 min read
Working as an architect, you already know how to blend a creative mindset with technical skill as you bring your designs to life. Implementing a streamlined invoicing system means that you can spend less time with administrative details, and more time working on your projects. Here’s what to consider when creating an architectural design invoice , including a sample to help you get started.
So, what type of architecture invoices are there? Invoices are used by residential, landscape, restoration, and commercial architects. They can also be used by interior designers and decorators.
Architectural services are typically provided over time, and invoicing allows you to create a clear, simple way to collect payment from customers. While construction projects can take months or even years, architects can improve cash flow with a series of instalment payments or regular monthly fees. For smaller consulting projects, architects use one-time invoices listing their hourly services or flat rates.
It’s helpful to use a standard invoice template for architectural services as this will provide consistency and professionalism. Standardising your invoices also allows you to keep a clearer record of payments over time. You can itemise tasks, adding fixed fees, hourly rates, or other details to come up with a final amount due.
The easiest way to create your invoice is to use an invoice template for architecture services : just download here . This offers a basic idea of what the layout of a typical invoice looks like. You can then customise a free template with your own aesthetic, logo, colours, and other branding elements.
No matter the template you choose, you should include some basic details vital to any invoice:
Input all these elements and then email the invoice to your customer, taking care to retain a copy for yourself.
Some architects will use a Pro Forma invoice, which is used to give a price quote when the job begins. This should also show any conditions that might impact the final cost, giving the client an idea of what to expect for budgeting purposes.
Here’s an architecture invoice example based on a simple project of designing a customer’s summer house. Imagine that the architect is a freelance consultant charging £100 per hour for this type of work:
Architecture Business Name
Company mailing address
Email address and website
INVOICE NUMBER: 00001
DATE OF ISSUE: DD/MM/YYYY
DESCRIPTION
COST PER HOUR
HOURS
AMOUNT
Blueprint design and presentation
Additional consulting during construction