Payment terms and deposits for builders
Typical terms: Stage payments against completed stages; final payment on completion, sometimes with a small retention.
Deposits: Usually a modest deposit; avoid large upfront payments from domestic clients, which can put them off.
Agree your terms in writing before you start. The late payment clause generator writes them for you.
What to include on a builder's invoice
Specific to your work
- The stage number and what was completed.
- Variations, each with the date it was agreed — ideally in writing.
Every UK invoice needs
- Your name or business name, address and contact details — and if you're a limited company, its registered name and number.
- The client's name and address (for a company, its exact registered name — check it here).
- A unique, sequential invoice number, and the invoice date.
- A clear description of the work, the date(s) supplied and the amount for each item.
- The total, the due date and how to pay (bank details or a payment link).
- If you're VAT-registered: your VAT number, the VAT rate and amount — use the VAT calculator.