Invoice HopA worked example: panel troubleshooting and a new breaker
Electrical calls often mix diagnosis time, a material or two and a service fee. Here is one where only the materials are taxed. Invoice Hop lets you set tax to apply to the whole invoice or only to the lines you choose, then calculates the total and the tax for you.
You say: “Invoice Dana Brooks, service call 89, 2 hours at 110, 20 amp breaker 38”
- Service call: 1 × $89.00 = $89.00 (not taxed)
- Labor: 2 hr × $110.00 = $220.00 (not taxed)
- 20A breaker: 1 × $38.00 = $38.00 (taxed)
- Sales tax 8.25% on $38.00 = $3.14
- Total: $347.00 + $3.14 = $350.14
Tax rules for electrical work differ by state. The example taxes materials only; set it up the way your state requires.
Because the tax setting is saved, you set it once for your state and every new invoice follows it. If you also work across a state line where the rules differ, change the setting on that invoice before sending.
If you have a minimum charge for short calls, save it as an item too. It appears as its own line, so the customer can see it is a standard fee and not something added at the door.
Saved materials and units
Keep the materials you install most in the item list with a unit and your price: breakers each, wire by the foot, boxes each. Start typing and the line fills in. When you use voice, Invoice Hop matches the names you say to saved items and asks you to confirm anything new.
| Item | Unit | Taxed |
|---|---|---|
| Service call | ea | No |
| Labor | hr | No |
| 20A breaker | ea | Yes |
| 12/2 Romex | ft | Yes |
| GFCI receptacle | ea | Yes |
When you use voice, you can say materials the way you say them on site, such as “two GFCIs” or “forty feet of twelve two”. Invoice Hop matches them to your saved items where it can, and anything it isn’t sure of is highlighted for you to check.
Estimates for panel upgrades and bigger jobs
Larger jobs like a panel upgrade or a new circuit run usually start with an estimate. Build it with the same saved items, send it for the customer to review, and turn it into the invoice with one tap after the inspection. Any approved changes go on as new lines so the customer sees them.
- Estimate: list labor, materials and any permit fee you pull as separate lines.
- After the job: convert to an invoice and add changes the customer approved.
- Deposit: record it as a payment so the invoice shows the right balance.
Signatures, photos and payment
For panel work and anything inspected, a signature when the job is done and a photo of the finished work protect you later. Invoice Hop lets the customer sign on your phone and attaches up to 10 photos. Then send the invoice and see when the customer opens and views it.
- Card and Apple Pay through your own Stripe; the invoice marks itself paid.
- Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and check details on the invoice page.
- Your license number in your business details, so it shows on every invoice.
After you send the invoice, Invoice Hop shows when the customer opened the email and when they viewed the invoice page. If a business customer hasn’t viewed it in a few days, resend it to their billing contact instead of chasing the person who let you in.
Questions
Can I charge tax on materials only?
Yes. Set tax to apply only to the lines you choose and pick the materials lines.
Can I add my license number?
Yes. Add it to your business details and it appears on your invoices.
Can the customer sign on my phone?
Yes. The customer can sign on your phone, and the signature is added to the invoice.
Does Invoice Hop take a fee on card payments?
No. Card payments go to your own Stripe account and Stripe charges its fee. Invoice Hop takes nothing.
Not tax or legal advice. This page is general information. Tax, payment and collection rules differ by state. Ask a qualified accountant or attorney about your situation.