The most popular of contractor forms, an invoice is the type of
document through which a contractor may bill a company or
individual for the services that they have provided. Normally, this
will list the precise flat-fee rate or hourly rate charges along
with the list of services that were provided. Additionally, the
invoice will include additional information as far as the terms of
payment are concerned. For instance, it may say the recipient needs
to pay some amount in some amount of days, and it can also list
what methods are acceptable.
It is important to note that this form exists because
contractors are not employees, which means they do not
automatically receive payment from a payroll system. Instead, they
are freelance, independent workers. The submitted invoice is
required in order to receive payment for a service the contractor
has offered. For example, the contractor might bill a client for
having provided a service as an electrician, freelance writer,
builder or plumber.
The information that is included on this contractor form will
ultimately depend on the service that they have provided.
Typically, it will at least include the name of the business or the
name of the contractor along with the phone number and address
through which he may be contacted. Some may also include their
email address. Often, there will also be company information and
contact details for the person who will be paying the invoice.
The type of services applied will also affect what entries are
on the invoice. For instance, a contractor in the construction
business may have entries for labor and supplies on the invoice.
Supplies may not be present on a freelance writer invoice, though
hourly or flat-rate fees may have blank spots instead. There may
also be a blank section for both if the contractor sometimes
charges hourly rates but also charges a flat rate. Finally, there
may be entries for special fees and tax charges on the contractor
form.
The contractor invoice will also often include information with
regard to when the invoice was generated and at what time the money
is due. For example, it could list the date when the contractor
created the invoice and at which time the client is required to pay
the fee. Additional payment terms may be on the invoice, such as
the contractor requiring the invoice be due upon receipt or within
a certain number of days.