Bill rough-in the day it passes.
On a new addition you get paid in phases: rough-in when the inspector signs the card, trim-out when the devices are in, the final after the meter and the last inspection. Redline drafts each one in a message, and the small service calls in between get billed before you're back in the van.
Phase billing on a project
Agree the phases up front
Put the split in the job notes when the builder or homeowner signs ("45% rough, 40% trim, 15% final"). Redline doesn't hold a schedule, so the notes are your reference.
Rough-in passes, invoice it
"Rough passed at Delmonico, invoice Harbor Builders for rough, 45% of $14,600." Extra circuits they asked for go in the same total, named in the line.
Trim-out
Devices, fixtures and the panel made up. Same message, next phase. Change orders since rough go on this invoice so nothing waits until the end.
Final after inspection
Keep the job In Progress until the final passes. A date reminder brings it back in your morning push so the last 15% goes out the same day.
Track who's slow
Builders pay on their own cycle. The overdue alerts at day 3, 7 and 14 tell you which one to call, and "who owes me?" gives the list. On Solo and up.
Rough-in passed, and a fan swap
Draft for Harbor Builders: $7,210, "Delmonico addition, rough-in phase (45% of $14,600, $6,570) plus change order for 2 additional 20A garage circuits ($640)." Due in 14 days. Approve?
Harbor Builders invoice is live. Patel draft: ceiling fan replacement (customer-supplied fan), $185. Approve and the pay link is ready to copy.
Invoicing is on Solo ($29 a month) and up. Example prices only.
An example phase schedule
On a $14,600 addition. Your contract sets the real split.
| Phase | Share | Invoice | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough-in | 45% | $6,570 | Rough inspection passed |
| Trim-out | 40% | $5,840 | Devices, fixtures and panel finished |
| Final | 15% | $2,190 | Final inspection passed, power on |
Example figures. Change orders go on whichever phase invoice comes next.
Two kinds of electrical invoice
Project billing and service billing fail in different ways. The phase invoice gets forgotten because you're already roughing in the next house when the inspector signs off. The service invoice gets forgotten because it's $185 and you had four more calls. Both add up.
Redline handles both from the chat. Phases are a message when the milestone is met. Service calls are a message in the driveway, and Home shows any job that's done but not invoiced, so the outlet swap from Tuesday turns up before the week closes.
Straight answers on electrical billing
Redline does
- Bill rough-in, trim-out and final as separate invoices
- Add change orders to the next phase invoice
- Remind you when an inspection should be done
- Invoice service calls with card pay links on the spot
- Show profit per job after wire, devices and fixtures
Redline doesn't
- Track retainage or produce pay applications
- Collect lien waivers
- Tax materials and labor at different rates
- Take checks or bank transfers on the pay link (card only)
- Bill phases on its own when an inspection passes
Questions contractors ask
Most builders pay me by check. Does that work?
Send the invoice so they have something to match, then log the check on their file when it arrives. An invoice marks itself paid only when the card pay link is paid, so void a check-paid one to stop the overdue alerts. Some builders will use the link for smaller phases.
Can I attach the inspection card?
Snap it and file the photo to the job. It stays on the builder's file next to the invoice for that phase.
What does it cost?
Invoicing starts on Solo at $29 a month, with a 7-day free trial on the web. Quotes, the calendar and contacts are free.
More for electricians
Bill the next rough-in before you leave the site.
Start free, then turn on Solo to invoice. It comes with a 7-day trial on the web.
Keep reading
- Electrical softwareQuote panel upgrades and EV chargers by the device, and bill the small jobs too.
- Electrical estimating softwareWalkthrough counts in, a per-device quote with permit and deposit out.
- Electrical dispatch softwarePair electricians and apprentices, lock in utility and inspection times, fill the gaps.
- General contractor invoicing softwareDeposit, milestone draws and change orders billed by chat, each draw tracked.