By Jeff Burt, founder of Invoice Goat.
What the Texas Rule Asks For, Word for Word
The Texas rule for electrical contractors, 16 TAC §73.51(f), says your “name, address, phone number, and license number shall appear on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts.” It asks for this notice on all three:
Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.tdlr.texas.gov
Put the license line in the notes box, like the example. You can write “TECL” in front of the number, as the example does. The rule only requires that on your vehicles. In Invoice Goat you type the line once: each new invoice starts with your last invoice's notes. This page doesn't remember anything between visits.
The Permit Goes on Its Own Line
You pulled the permit, but it's the customer's cost. Bill it on its own line at exactly what the city charged. The Texas licensing department (TDLR) has a compliance guide that is clear: the state law that bars cities from some fees on licensed electricians doesn't “prevent cities from collecting a ‘building permit’ fee.”
The example uses the City of Humble's fee schedule, effective October 1, 2024. It lists $100 for a residential electrical permit for remodel or addition work, and $50 as the minimum. Your city's fees will differ.
Which Lines Get Sales Tax
In Texas, the type of building and the type of contract decide. On a home, list the materials apart from the labor, and the materials are taxed while the labor isn't (the contractor invoice template walks through that rule). On commercial repair or remodeling work you collect tax on “your total charge for the job,” labor included, “except separately stated building permit fees,” says the Texas Comptroller.
The Texas state rate is 6.25%, and cities and counties can add up to 2%, for at most 8.25%. Use the rate where the job is.
New York goes by the type of work instead. Publication 862 lists “the upgrading of a service” and new circuits as capital improvements, and replacing circuit breakers, outlets or switches as repair. A repair is taxed. On a capital improvement, once the customer hands you a properly completed Form ST-124, “no sales tax is required to be collected.” Both jobs on the example are on that list, so in New York, with an ST-124 in hand, you wouldn't collect a cent of sales tax on it. None of this is tax advice; if a job doesn't fit neatly, ask your state's revenue department.
Send the Next Quote First
Hit “Start a Free Invoice in Invoice Goat” above and this invoice moves into the app, deposit and all. On the next panel job, send the quote from there first: your customer e-signs it, and you order the $685 panel for a job that's already agreed. Put the same license line in the quote's notes.
Writing up the job on site first? The work order template lists the tasks and parts for your customer to sign off. The quote maker prices the job before you start, and how to invoice as a contractor covers the rest, from the signed quote to a late payment.
Questions
Do I need my license number on an electrical invoice?
In Texas, yes, with the TDLR notice. California and Florida name the bid, contract or proposal instead of the invoice, so in those states the number belongs on your quote. Everywhere else, ask your state's licensing board.
Can I get this template in Word or Excel?
No, it downloads as a PDF, which is what you'd send a customer anyway. Fill it in right here in your browser. You don't need an account.
Does this work for a self-employed electrician?
Yes, solo or with a crew. Many of our customers run several technicians on Invoice Goat. If you invoice every week, the app keeps your customer list and a price book for the next one.