Keep one record per customer
Every customer should have one record with contact details, address, and notes about the property or preferences. Avoid scattering this across texts, notebooks and spreadsheets.
Put every price in writing
Even for small jobs, a written quote sets expectations. Saved service templates keep your prices consistent and make quoting faster.
Connect quotes, jobs and invoices
The quote should become the job, and the completed job should become the invoice. When each step reuses the last, you stop re-typing and stop making copy errors.
Invoice promptly
Invoice as soon as the work is done, while it's fresh for the customer. Batching once a week works if it's a habit you keep.
Record payments the day they arrive
Whether it's e-transfer, cash or cheque, mark the invoice paid right away. Your outstanding list is only useful if it's accurate.
For bookkeeping and tax record-keeping requirements, check with an accountant or official government guidance.
Review weekly
Once a week, check open quotes to follow up, completed jobs not yet invoiced, and unpaid invoices. Fifteen minutes can recover a surprising amount of revenue.
Updated . General information only — not legal, tax or financial advice.