I was seeing if anyone knew how to do an invoice on this type of stuff. Its not like when I was a roofer i could just come to your house and give an estimate. This you can not .I went to a professional school and am certified and the only thing they didn't teach you was how to type up the legal paperwork and how to properly invoice a job for the insurance companies. because this is not the same scene every time and anything can and will happen. hazardous waste cleaning and charging for junk removal, weight of hazardous material to every set of gloves,pictures are charged and coming into the business i want to be sqaured away with pricing because there are Companies who take advantage of this and just are ignorant about $$$$.If anyone could give some advice It would be welcomed. This has been a goal i set along time ago and finally i'm just about there!!! Thank you Gary Bonavida
Answers
Gary,
I might tend to look at "value pricing" over hourly. It seems to be a pretty specialized business. With each case being different, you would need to determine the type of scenarios that take you the most time and/or cost you the most in materials or equipment.
Are there competitors that you can get some ideas from? I'm not suggesting you compete on price...just some ideas on how they handle it.
One more comment: there are usually small-business networking groups in the area that can be really helpful for this sort of thing. My spouse has a small business (graphic design) and joined a group through the local chamber of commerce, and was able to get some good practical advice through this, along with good networking contacts and also personal support. I'd suggest calling your local Chamber and see whether there's something similar in your area.
Regards,
Theo
Hi Gary, I think the answer to your question also depends on how your services are priced. For example, do you bill by the hour, and then bill in addition for expenses incurred? If so, I would think that your invoice would detail your hourly rate, the total hours served, and then the total professional fees. In addition to professional fees, you will invoice for expenses and materials (e.g. gloves, cleaners, etc.) I'm not sure how contracting typically works in the public sector, but in the commercial sector, a client is typically provided an hourly rate and estimated hours and expenses as a starting point to contract for services.
Gary,
Here are some resources that may help you:
1. The small administration offers free online seminars. You can view what's available at
https://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center/search/trainingbusiness
2. Quickbooks online is a great tool to use, not only to manage an account for your profit/loss and stay in front of your taxes, etc, but you can also use it to creat and send traceable estimates and invoices. Both accounts payable (you pay others) and receivable (they pay you according to invoices can be tied directly to your bank account. The best part is everything is done securely online. See: http://quickbooks.intuit.com/
Gary,
A few quick questions:
1. Have you already created your own small business as an entity and filed all the requisite documents to operate (created an LLC, obtained a Federal EIN or tax ID, certificate of filing from your state if required)?
2. What State are you living in?
3. What specific services do you provide to your clients?
4. Are you using Quickbooks for your business (accounting/book keeping software).
Lance
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