How to write an electrician invoice your customer can pay
A worked non-VAT invoice example and a practical checklist for UK electricians: customer details, agreed work, payment instructions and a clear handover.
Start with the agreed job, not a blank page
The work is finished. Before writing the invoice, put the accepted quote beside the completed job notes. Check what was done, any agreed changes and anything already paid. That gives you the amount to bill.
If the customer is a business, check which business placed the order and where its invoices go. The site address helps identify the job. It does not always identify the customer who owes you. Get any purchase order reference while you are arranging the work.
Put the required details in the template
Government guidance lists the invoice reference, supplier and customer details, a clear description, the supply and invoice dates, amounts, applicable VAT and total. Sole traders must also show their own name and an address for legal documents when using a trading name. Limited companies must show the full company name.
Use a template with spaces for those details. Do not copy another business’s name, address or tax details. VAT invoices have additional requirements; use the correct format for your registration and transaction.
Describe the work so somebody else can recognise it
“Electrical work — £560” leaves the person paying with very little to check. Name the job and use the approved scope. If an extra was agreed, identify it separately and keep that agreement with the job.
For a business customer, the person approving payment may never have met you. A site reference, work date and sensible description make the invoice easier to match to the order. Keep technical records with the job; an invoice does not replace the electrical certificate.
A simple non-VAT example
This is an illustrative layout, not a recommended price or a completed legal invoice. It assumes a supplier who is not VAT registered, a simple customer job and no CIS or reverse-charge treatment. Replace every placeholder and check the actual transaction.
- £480 + £80 = £560 invoiced.
- £560 − £100 already received = £460 remaining.
- Show the deposit or earlier payment clearly. Do not silently reduce the description of the job.
INVOICE [unique reference] Supplier: [your full name] trading as [business name] Supplier address and contact: [details] Customer: [name and address] Job/site reference: [details] Work supplied: [date] Invoice issued: [date] Agreed electrical installation work: £480 Separately agreed additional work: £80 Total invoiced: £560 Payment already received: £100 Balance payable: £460 Payment due: [date under the agreed terms] Payment instructions: [your verified details] Payment reference: [invoice reference]
Make payment straightforward
Show the payment terms you agreed and the due date. Include checked payment instructions and a reference to use. For a commercial customer, ask whether the invoice must go to an accounts inbox or portal and include its purchase order if one was issued.
The Small Business Commissioner recommends clear descriptions, agreed terms and accurate payment information. Check where the invoice should go before sending it.
Send it, then keep one unpaid record
Once the amount and details are approved, send the invoice and save the sent version. Record the invoice number, amount outstanding, due date and next action. Confirm any portal submission has actually completed.
Check payments before sending a reminder. A customer query needs an owner and an answer; repeating the same demand will not resolve a missing reference or a disputed extra. The separate unpaid-invoice guide covers the chasing routine.
What comes off your desk
You confirm the completed work, agreed changes and the amount to bill. We prepare and send the invoice, keep the payment record and chase the outstanding balance within the permissions agreed. Technical judgement and disputed prices come back to you.
Try the routine on your next completed job. Get the accepted quote and completion notes together, build the invoice, check it and send it. Use the Invoice and Payment Pack to keep the next action visible.