What a deck invoice is for
The deck invoice is read with a glass of something cold on the new boards. Make it match the estimate, list the extra step or lighting the owner asked for with its approval, and note the passed final inspection. That closes the job and gives the owner a record for the house file.
What to put on a deck invoice
- Each part of the deck, as built.
- Upgrades with their approval.
- The final inspection result and date.
- Deposit already paid and what remains.
- Stain timing for wood decks.
A worked example
The deck passed final inspection. The owner added two post cap lights after framing.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decking and framing materials, pressure-treated pine * | 320 | sq ft | $4.50 | $1,440.00 |
| Deck build labor * | 320 | sq ft | $25.00 | $8,000.00 |
| Wood railing * | 40 | ft | $45.00 | $1,800.00 |
| Deck stairs * | 3 | each | $37.50 | $112.50 |
| Post cap lights, added | 2 | each | Your price |
Write the final inspection date in the notes. It is the line the owner will need when they sell.
* Typical price from our free deck cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items deck builders use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Footings, dug and poured | each | Depth to your local frost line and the inspector's rule. |
| Framing: posts, beams and joists | sq ft | Lumber grade and joist spacing. |
| Ledger with flashing | ft | Attached to the house with the fasteners code calls for. |
| Decking, pressure-treated | sq ft | Board width and fastening. |
| Decking, composite | sq ft | Brand, color and hidden or face fasteners. |
| Railing | ft | Wood, composite, aluminum or cable. |
| Stairs | each | Per step; width and landing. |
| Tear-out of old deck | sq ft | Demolition and haul-off. |
| Post caps and lighting | each | Low voltage or solar. |
| Skirting or lattice | ft | Around the base. |
| Permit and inspections | each | Footing, framing and final. |
| Stain and seal | sq ft | For wood decks, after the wood is ready. |
Terms and deposit language for deck
- Deposit. The deposit at signing orders lumber or composite and books the build week. Each state sets its own deposit limits on home improvement work.
- Payment. Balance due at the final inspection or when the deck is finished and walked.
- Warranty. You warrant the framing and your workmanship for a stated time. The decking maker warrants the boards. Normal checking, warping and weathering of wood are not defects.
- Permit and inspection dates are set by the town and can move the schedule.
- Buried lines and sprinkler pipe at footing locations are the owner's to have marked.
- Pressure-treated wood needs time to dry before stain; the timing is in the notes.
How to fill it in
- Your business details carry over from any template you used before.
- Fill in who you are billing and the job.
- Check the lines against what you actually did, and add your prices.
- Put any deposit in Already paid, so the balance is right.
- Print, download or send it from Koira with a pay-by-card link.
Free tools for deck
The same invoice for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, home inspection, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, masonry, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, security system, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tile, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for deck builders: how deck builders run on Koira.