A bill, also known as a payment notice, is a text from a seller to a buyer describing the products or services provided by the seller and requesting payment from the buyer. For example, let’s say you’re a landscape designer adding shrubs or plants to a client’s front garden. You need to issue payment notifications for services provided to receive payment from your customers. This article will teach you how to bill correctly and ensure you receive the correct amount on time.

Select Format

Consider professional billing. If you bill frequently, you might want to create a template that you can modify slightly every time you bill a new bill. This is particularly useful for contractors or those providing ongoing services.

• In addition to noting the services provided, the amount owed, and payment instructions, the bill also needs to have a header indicating your name (or company name), address, phone number, and company logo. Bills are typically created, numbered, and saved to a computer electronically. This way you have a backup and don’t have to worry about losing it.

Purchase a bill book. Bill books are sold in stationery stores and department stores. It contains forms for you to fill out with the services provided and payment information. Whenever you need to bill, just fill in the appropriate information in the blanks.

• These invoice books are useful if you need to invoice items sold. For example, if you sell homemade cakes, instead of using your computer to create a bill every time you sell a cake, it would be more convenient to use a bill book to create the bill.
• Select a bill book that automatically prints an identical bill under each blank bill, allowing you and the customer to each keep one copy.

Basic Information on the Bill

Write down personal and company information. Whether it is computer invoicing or book invoicing, the company name above needs to be filled in. Additional information related to the company must be included under the company name:

• Complete address.
• Telephone number.
• Email address or other relevant contact information.

Fill in the date and bill number. These two pieces of information help you record the date and to whom services were provided. In addition, you must also write down the date the bill was issued and number the bill according to the number of transactions with that customer. For example, if you sold three cakes to the same customer, the bill number issued after the third transaction should be #3.

Write the customer’s information. Remember to write down the name of the customer or client or the name of the company. If you are providing services as a contractor, you should include the client’s company name and phone number. For one-time transactions, it is not necessary to fill in the customer’s address.

Fill in Specific Information

Describe the services provided, including the work you do for clients, and the services or products you provide. If you offer multiple services, consider creating a detailed project sheet. Each item on the checklist needs to contain the following information:

• Services provided or products sold. For example “1 large one-tier cake (with floral decoration)”.
• The date the service was provided.
• Service fee.
• After all items are listed, calculate the total and amount owed.

Indicate payment terms. If you expect customers to pay by a specific date, indicate this on the bill. Also indicate the method of payment you would like to accept (cash, check, or credit card).

Provide additional information. State your return policy at the bottom of the bill. You can also take the opportunity to thank customers for their support and list other products or services you offer.