Architects typically bill their clients using various methods such as hourly rates, fixed fees for specific services, percentage-based fees calculated on the total project cost, or a combination of these approaches depending on the nature and scope of the project and the preferences of both parties.

To start making an architect invoice, you’ll want to:

1. Choose Your Tool: Select an invoicing tool or template. Architect billing software offers advanced features and customization options.
2. Review: Gather all necessary documents, including initial estimates, and time/expense tracking logs, to accurately calculate costs and review project changes.
3. Detail Services: Provide clear and detailed descriptions of the services rendered to ensure transparency and help clients understand the value they are receiving.
4. Ensure Overhead is Covered: Account for overhead expenses by calculating annual administrative and business expenses, prorating them to the project's duration.
5. Profit Margin: Incorporate your expected profit margin to ensure business growth and sustainability.
6. Calculate Total Costs: Add up all project-related costs to determine the balance due.
7. Double Check: Review the invoice for accuracy and completeness, and consider asking someone else to review it before sending it to the client.
8. Track Payments: After sending the invoice, diligently track payments and follow up with clients who miss payment deadlines to maintain cash flow and financial stability.

Learn more about the steps needed to create an invoice in our full guide on how to create an architect invoice where you can download our free template.

An architecture invoice should contain the following elements:

• Your company’s contact information
• Your client’s contact information
• An invoice number
• Date the invoice was prepared
• A list of services or materials provided
• Subtotal, taxes, fees, and the total
• Payment terms

To up your chances of prompt payment, we also recommend you include:

• Your company’s logo for an added dose of professionalism 
• Detailed descriptions of items or services 
• Other documents or files included as attachments like the approved estimate and any change orders so you and your client are always on the same page(s).

Sign up for a free trial of Houzz Pro’s architecture invoicing software to create invoices that include all of these elements and more!

When looking for an invoicing software for architects, be sure to consider the following features:

• Online Payment Functionality: An architect billing software that also allows clients to conveniently pay online helps cut down on the time it takes for you to get paid. Offering payment methods like credit cards or bank transfers provide safe and secure options that are faster than waiting for a check to clear.
• Time & Expense Tracking: While your estimate should get you pretty close to understanding what resources a project will require, it’s important that your invoice captures all time and expenses accrued along the way. Your architect invoice software should come equipped with time and expense tracking tools that aren’t just simple for your team to use, but that allow you to track as accurately as possible.
• Accounting Integrations: The architecture billing software you choose should integrate with your accounting software so you don’t have to enter financial data more than once. This also helps cut down on time preparing for tax season. Double win!

Houzz Pro’s architect billing software for small businesses comes complete with all of these features and more. Try a demo to see for yourself. 

A subscription to Houzz Pro’s architecture invoicing software comes with these tools built to get you paid faster and keep your client satisfied:

• Online payments
• Proposals
• Estimates
• Client dashboard

You can find more information about what features are included with each of our plans here.

When you subscribe to Houzz Pro’s architecture invoicing software, you gain premium access to our support team. That means you get an exclusive phone number that directs you to an onshore team member and you get pushed to the top of the queue.

You also get personalized on-demand onboarding support, showing you how to properly use the specific features you want, when you want, to help get your business up and running with Houzz Pro. We also have a wide variety of help articles available in our Help Center and in-depth how-to videos on our YouTube channel.