Start for free
Language: EN

Accounting and invoicing for tradespeople

Write the quote, order the material, work on site, send a stage invoice, write the final invoice: tradespeople do not invoice at a desk but between two jobs. Saldiqo takes you from the quote to the paid invoice.

Updated:

What comes up for tradespeople

Jobs that run for weeks

A roof, a bathroom, a heating system: the job takes time and the money comes in stages. You need a quote, an order confirmation, stage invoices and a final invoice that ties everything together.

Material and labour kept apart

Customers and insurers want to see material, labour and call-out separately. An invoice with lump sums brings questions.

Receipts on site

Builders’ merchant, wholesaler, petrol station: receipts are in the van, not in the office. The longer they lie there, the more get lost.

Payment behaviour

Open invoices are the most common reason for cash problems in the trades. If you chase too late, you wait for months.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Quote, order confirmation, invoiceThe quote turns into the order confirmation, and that into the invoice. You write positions and prices once.
  • Stage and final invoicesStage invoices by progress are created straight from the quote. The final invoice deducts them automatically.
  • Delivery notes for materialDelivery notes stay linked to the job, so you can later show what was delivered when.
  • Time tracking and invoice from timeStart and stop on your phone, and Saldiqo creates the invoice line from the recorded hours.
  • Cost centre per siteAssign material and time to a site and see whether the job paid off.
  • Reminders with deadlinesPayment reminder and reminder levels with fixed deadlines and fees, sent with one click.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Skilled worker, hour
  • Labourer, hour
  • Material at cost, as per delivery note
  • Call-out charge
  • Stage 1: start of works
  • Disposal of old material

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.

For tradespeople in Ireland

In construction, principal contractors withhold RCT from payments to subcontractors, which you see on your payment statements. The VAT reverse charge can also apply to subcontracted services. In Saldiqo you choose the tax type reverse charge. Which rules apply to a job, you clear with your accountant.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bill stages by progress?

Yes. You create stage or part invoices straight from the quote. The final invoice deducts the stages already paid.

How do I capture receipts from site?

Photograph the receipt with your phone or upload it and capture it as an expense. You can assign material to a cost centre, for example a site.

Can I show a reverse charge for construction services?

Yes. You choose the tax type reverse charge on the invoice, Saldiqo adds the note and calculates without VAT. Whether the rule applies to the job, you clear with your tax adviser.

Do tradespeople 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 tradespeople 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 tradespeople 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

Niches in this industry

More industries

All industries

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