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Accounting and invoicing for building contractors

Shell construction, extensions, refurbishment and civil engineering: a building contractor runs several sites at once with subcontractors, material and machines. Saldiqo issues stage invoices by progress, assigns subcontractor and material invoices to the site and shows the result per project.

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What comes up for building contractors

Several sites at once

Each site has its own costs, stage invoices and dates. Without allocation the result stays unclear.

Subcontractors

Subcontractor invoices flow into the price. They have to be assigned to the site and paid on time.

Machines and fleet

Excavators, loaders and vans are large items that are depreciated.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Stage invoices by progressQuote, stage invoices by progress, final invoice.
  • Record subcontractorsInvoices as expenses with the site’s cost centre.
  • Reverse charge for constructionTax type reverse charge when the client provides construction services itself.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • Shell of a detached house, stage 3 of 6
  • Earthworks and excavation, flat fee
  • Subcontractor screed, re-invoiced
  • Site container hire, month
  • Material as per delivery note
  • Day work, labourer

Tax and invoicing in Ireland

What applies to invoices in Ireland, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Standard rate 23 %, reduced rates 13.5 % and 9 %, 4.8 % for livestock, and 0 %. Since 1 July 2026 a 9 % rate applies to restaurants, catering, hot takeaway food and hairdressing, excluding alcohol and soft drinks.
VAT registration
Registration is required above €42,500 a year for services and above €85,000 for goods, if at least 90 % of turnover comes from goods. Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices while you are below the threshold and shows how much room is left.
What goes on an invoice
Registered businesses show their VAT number. Sole traders and partnerships providing services show their tax reference number, or their full name and address, on invoices and receipts of €7 or more (section 885 TCA). Companies show their name, CRO number and registered office, and directors’ details on letters, order forms and the website.
Invoice timing
Issue a VAT invoice within 15 days after the end of the month in which the supply took place.
E-invoicing
From 1 November 2028 every business must be able to receive e-invoices. Issuing is phased in: first for suppliers to large corporates, from November 2029 for businesses trading B2B within the EU, and from 1 July 2030 under the EU VAT in the Digital Age rules. A PDF does not count as an e-invoice, and the technical specifications are not yet published.
VAT returns
VAT3 returns are filed every two months through ROS, by the 19th of the following month, or the 23rd when you file online through ROS. Saldiqo does not file returns, your accountant or ROS does.
Record keeping
Keep records for 6 years, longer while a review is open.
Late payment
Interest on late business payments is the ECB main refinancing rate (2.40 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 10.40 %, plus fixed compensation of €40, €70 or €100 depending on the amount owed.
Getting paid
IBAN and BIC are on every invoice, plus a SEPA QR code (EPC) for banking apps that can read it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I evaluate several sites separately?

Yes, with cost centres per site. You see income, material and subcontractors per project.

How do I bill stages by progress?

With stage invoices from the quote. The final invoice deducts them.

Do building contractors in Ireland have to charge VAT?

Once they are registered, yes. Registration is required from the sale that takes turnover over €42,500 a year for services or €85,000 for goods, where at least 90 % of turnover comes from goods. Below those limits Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices.

Do building contractors in Ireland need e-invoicing?

Not yet. From 1 November 2028 every business must be able to receive e-invoices. The duty to issue them phases in from the same date for suppliers to large corporates and later for more businesses. PDF invoices do not count as e-invoices.

How long should building contractors keep invoices?

Keep records for 6 years, longer while a review is open. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

Try Saldiqo for free

Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.