Start for free
Language: EN

Accounting and invoicing for drywall contractors

Plasterboard, acoustic ceilings, partitions and loft conversions: drywall contractors often work as subcontractors for developers and main contractors and bill by square metre and progress. Saldiqo issues stage invoices by completion, records material and hours and marks reverse-charge services.

Updated:

What comes up for drywall contractors

Subcontractor for large firms

Main contractors award trades and pay by progress. Measurement and checking take time, payment terms are long.

Area and effort

Walls, ceilings and insulation are priced per square metre, special parts by the hour.

Reverse charge

Construction services to building firms often run with the recipient accounting for the tax.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Billing by measurementSquare metre prices as items with quantity per measurement.
  • Stage invoices by progressStage invoices from the quote, final invoice deducts them.
  • Reverse chargeTax type reverse charge for jobs for building firms.
  • Reminders on long termsKeep open invoices in view and remind with one click.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Metal stud partition, 120 square metres
  • Acoustic ceiling, 85 square metres
  • Loft conversion insulation and boarding
  • Skim coat level Q3, square metres
  • Material as per delivery note
  • Stage invoice by progress 60 %

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

How do I bill by square metre?

You create the square metre price as an item and enter the quantity from the measurement.

How do I deal with long payment terms?

You keep open invoices in view and remind with deadlines. With stage invoices you secure interim financing.

Do drywall 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 drywall 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 drywall 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.

Start for free

This page for other countries

Related niches

More industries

All industries

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