How to Invoice as a Painter: Step-by-Step Guide

A practical guide to painter invoices: the 3 fields you need, when to require a 25% deposit, why Net 7 is industry standard, and the licensing notes that matter.

Avg invoice
$1,850
Net terms
7 days
Deposit
25%
Line items
3
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1. What every painter invoice must include

A compliant painter invoice has eight parts: your business name and contact info, a unique invoice number, issue date, payment due date, the customer's name and address, an itemized list of work, the total amount due, and accepted payment methods. If you're collecting sales tax, that line is required too.

2. Set your line items

Most painters structure invoices around these 3 categories:

  • Surface prep — billed by hour at a ~$65 default.
  • Painting labor — billed by hour at a ~$85 default.
  • Paint & materials — billed by itemized.

3. Set payment terms

The standard for painters is Net 7 — payment due within 7 days of the invoice date. Most painters also require a 25% deposit upfront before starting work. Spell out late-fee terms (most states cap monthly late fees around 1.5%) and accepted payment methods on the invoice itself.

4. Licensing & legal disclosures

License required in most states for jobs over a state-set threshold (commonly $500–$5,000). EPA RRP certification required for pre-1978 homes.

5. Send and follow up

Send the invoice the same day work is completed (or upon milestone for larger projects). Use software that tracks opens and lets the customer pay by card or bank transfer in one click — the average painter-class invoice gets paid 2× faster when the customer can pay online without leaving their inbox.

Average invoice
$1,850
Standard terms
Net 7
Typical deposit
25%
BLS code
47-2141

State-by-state painter invoicing guides

State rules differ on sales tax, statutory late fees, and contractor disclosure requirements. Pick your state for a guide tuned to local law.

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