As the year winds down and everyone starts thinking about their Christmas break, many tradies are now managing jobs, sending quotes, and chasing invoices before businesses shut down for the holidays. Staying on top of your admin now can make a big difference in how smoothly your December goes.
Here’s everything you need to know about tradie invoicing and preparing your quotes before the year wraps up.
December can be a busy month for clients trying to squeeze in last-minute jobs before the holidays. If you’re quoting work that might start in the new year, send those quotes early so clients can lock you in before they go away.
A few quick tips:
If you’re juggling multiple quotes, consider using digital tools to keep track of what’s been sent and what’s accepted.
When it comes to tradie invoicing, timing is everything. The sooner you send your invoice, the sooner you can get paid, especially before clients start closing up shop.
Some tradies prefer to email invoices later in the evening once they’ve double-checked everything. Others use mobile invoicing tools to send them on-site. Either way, consistency is key.
Paper invoices are easy to lose and harder to track. Go digital instead.
Recommended tools for tradies:
Cloud-based systems mean you can access everything from your phone, tablet, or laptop. No more digging through folders to find that missing invoice.
Your terms should never be an afterthought. They protect your time and cash flow.
Make sure your payment conditions appear:
If you work with property managers or builders who have end-of-month payment cycles, talk to them early. Adjust your workflow so your invoices align with their schedule, or factor delayed payments into your cash flow plan.
The simpler it is for your clients to pay you, the faster they’ll do it. Offer multiple payment methods where possible — bank transfer, card, PayID, or mobile EFTPOS.
Portable payment systems allow you to accept payments on-site. It’s particularly handy for smaller jobs or when clients prefer instant transactions.
If you’re doing larger projects, progress payments might make sense — just make sure everything is clearly written and agreed upon before work begins.
Having all your invoices, receipts, and quotes in one place makes tax time easier and helps track who owes what.
Simple habits to stay organised:
When you return from your break, you’ll thank yourself for having a clean, updated record of your jobs and payments.
Don’t wait until you’re halfway through your Christmas lunch to realise someone hasn’t paid you. Before you wrap up for the year, check your outstanding invoices and follow up politely.
Send a friendly reminder email or text a few days before your break. Something like:
“Hi [Client Name], just a quick reminder about the invoice for [Job]. Hoping to get everything squared away before the holidays. Thanks!”
It keeps things professional without being pushy.
Most tradies don’t get paid while they’re on holiday, so make sure you’ve got enough to cover personal and business expenses over the break.
Do a quick review of:
A bit of planning now saves a lot of stress later.
If you’re planning to take time off, update your ServiceSeeking.com.au profile with your holiday dates or limited availability. That way, potential clients know when you’re back — and you’ll return to fresh job leads waiting for you.
Listing your business on ServiceSeeking also helps new clients find you faster when they need work done before or after the holidays. Whether it’s quoting, invoicing, or booking jobs, a clear profile helps keep your calendar full year-round.