You know your worth as an architect, whether it is creating winning designs for stand-alone homes or commercial project. Your services as a solo architect are in great demand, and you know you have the potential to increase your revenues multiple times, but what may be stopping you from expanding your business is a foolproof architect invoice.
While you are not expected to know how to generate a professional invoice as a consultant architect, it is not as complicated as you might think. However, we want you to avoid any invoicing mistakes, and so we share the essential tips you need to follow as a self-employed architect. Follow these tips and you will get paid on time! An architect invoice template can make managing clients and expectations far easier and smoother. Furthermore, architect invoice templates can be used by various architects due to their modular and customizable features.
Having an invoice can speed up the billing process and keep the clients satisfied. It reduces uncertainties and makes working with new and old clients much more fruitful.
Who is this template for?
Architects work in various fields, and this template caters to different types of architects. By making minor adjustments, each of the following architects can use the architect invoice template well.
- Residential Architects – These architects specialize in designing homes, individual properties, and residential properties.
- Commercial Architects – These architects design buildings for commercial and business purposes, such as offices, retail spaces, and hotels.
- Landscape Architects – These architects design outdoor spaces like parks, gardens, and public areas.
- Interior Architects – Their focus is on designing the interiors of buildings, including spaces such as offices, hotels, and restaurants.
- Urban Design Architects – These architects plan and design urban areas like cities, towns, and neighborhoods.
- Sustainable Architects – A new type of architect type, they Incorporate eco-friendly and sustainable design practices into their projects.
- Restoration Architects – These architects restore and renovate historical buildings and structures while maintaining their distinctive features and prestige.
- Healthcare Architects – These architects design hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
- Industrial Architects – These architects design industrial buildings, factories, and warehouses.
- Educational Architects – These architects design schools, universities, and other educational facilities.
- Sports Facility Architects – They design sports stadiums, arenas, and other sports-related buildings.
- Hospitality Architects – These architects are adept at designing and renovating hotels, resorts, and other hospitality-related properties.
- Retail Architects – These architects design retail stores, shopping centers, and malls.
- Exhibition and Museum Architects – They design museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces.
- Religious Architects – These architects design religious buildings, such as churches, mosques, and temples.
Why should architects use invoicing software?
Using invoicing software specifically designed for architects can greatly benefit their billing process in several ways. Here are some key reasons why architects should consider using invoicing software:
Time-savings and Efficiency
Invoicing software automates the billing process, saving architects time and effort. It eliminates the need to create invoices from scratch manually, calculate fees or rates, and format invoices.
Architects can easily generate professional invoices by simply inputting project details, rates, and payment terms, which can be customized to their specific billing methods. This streamlines the billing process and allows architects to focus on their core work of designing and managing projects rather than spending excessive time on administrative tasks.
Reduced Errors
Manual invoicing can be prone to errors, such as miscalculations or incorrect information, leading to payment delays or disputes. Invoicing software minimizes the risk of errors by automatically calculating fees, taxes, and totals based on predefined settings.
It also provides templates with standardized formats, ensuring that invoices are consistent and professional. This helps architects maintain accurate and error-free financial records, which is crucial for proper bookkeeping and accounting.
Professionalism and Branding
Invoicing software offers customizable templates allowing architects to create professional-looking invoices with their logo, brand colors, and contact information.
This helps architects establish a consistent brand image and enhances their professionalism when interacting with clients. Professional invoices also provide a clear breakdown of services rendered, rates or fees, and payment terms, which can instill trust and confidence in clients.
Financial Management
Invoicing software provides features for tracking payments, overdue invoices, and outstanding balances, allowing architects to manage their cash flow easily.
It provides real-time updates on the status of invoices and sends reminders to clients for overdue payments. This helps architects stay organized and ensures that they receive timely payments from clients, improving their financial management and cash flow.
Reporting and Analytics
Invoicing software often comes with reporting and analytics features that provide insights into the financial performance of architects' projects or clients.
Architects can generate reports on revenue, expenses, and outstanding payments, which can be useful for budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making. These features provide valuable financial visibility and help architects make informed business decisions.
How do architects bill their clients?
Architects typically bill their clients using various methods depending on their preferences and the nature of the project. Here are some common ways architects bill their clients:
Hourly Rate
Architects may charge clients based on the number of hours worked on a project multiplied by their hourly rate.
Fixed Fee
Architects may charge clients a fixed fee for a specific project or a phase. This method involves estimating the project's total cost upfront and charging a predetermined fee.
Percentage of Construction Cost
Architects may charge clients a percentage of the total construction cost of a project. This method is common for large projects where the construction cost is significant.
Retainer
Architects may require clients to pay a retainer fee upfront. The retainer is typically a percentage of the total fee. It helps architects secure payment for their services before commencing work.
Reimbursable Expenses
Architects may bill clients for reimbursable expenses incurred during the course of a project, such as travel expenses, printing costs, or permit fees.
Is there an invoice template in Excel?
Yes, there are invoice templates available in Excel. Excel provides a user-friendly and widely-used platform for creating invoices. Excel provides flexibility in adding formulas, calculations, and formatting options, allowing architects to create professional invoices tailored to their requirements.
However, for new architects, or those who are still operating on a small scale, there is a learning curve involved. Furthermore, Excel has to be operated manually. You will have to input data and adjust it manually in most cases.
Bonsai offers you the chance to benefit from an automated architect invoice template. This means you will get paid faster and will be able to keep proper checks and balances. The time and effort this saves and peace of mind are among the best things about using Bonsai.
Tips for creating an architect invoice template
As a freelancing architect, you need to create an architect invoice which will ensure that the client makes your payment on a priority basis.
Here are some tips you need to keep in mind:
1. Add the services you provided to your architect invoice template
You need to be specific regarding the services to be provided in your architect invoice. When you provide details like the hours spent by you and the rates charged per hour as a freelancer, it is more likely that the client will accept you as a professional. So make sure that a short description of every service that you are providing as a freelance architect is mentioned.
2. Simple architect invoice template design
A complicated design for your architect invoice is likely to delay your payments, so keep the design simple. Use fonts that can be read easily, keeping the size at least 12. Ensure that your freelance invoice is not cluttered with information. The presentation should be neat, mentioning the date, services being offered and your hourly rates. Do be sure that there is enough space for margins because important information might be lost when your invoice is photocopied and sent to the accounts department.
3. Breaking up large projects with your architect invoice template
As a consultant, when you have large projects, you should bill the client multiple times according to the stage of progress. So there will be an architect invoice for every part of the project completed, and each invoice will show the balance pending for the whole project. This will help both the client and you to keep track of payments.
4. Provide multiple payment options with your architect invoice template
Every client might have their preferred mode of payment which could be wire transfer or Paypal. Giving them multiple options will ensure that your architect invoice gets paid on time.
5. Provide bank details in your architect invoice template
Another major reason why your architect invoice might not ensure timely payment is because it might not be providing the right bank details. Your bank account number must be given legibly in your freelancer invoice. If the client is making payments by cheque, your communication address must be legibly entered. You should also mention that "cheques should be made in favour of."
6. Add penalty for payment details in your architect invoice template
As a freelancing architect, ensure that your invoice mentions the due date for payment and the penalty for delays. This should be included in the terms and conditions section of the invoice. You can get a legal opinion regarding how this section should be framed.
7. Avoid delays in sending your architect invoice template
Make sure that you send your freelancing invoice on time to get paid faster.
Ensure faster payments with Bonsai's winning architect invoice template
Your freelancing business should not suffer due to lack of a professional invoice. Comprehensive templates from Bonsai will ensure that your architect invoice gets paid on time. Watch your architecture dream grow with the right invoice!
