Invoicing & Payments
Invoicing and Getting Paid
Timely, professional invoicing ensures you get paid quickly. ANVL's invoicing system automates the process and integrates with Stripe for secure payments.
Creating an Invoice
When work is complete, create an invoice from the job. ANVL auto-populates the estimate details—you can adjust if there were changes. Review the invoice carefully: client name, items, pricing, taxes, and payment terms. Make sure it matches the approved estimate (or change order).
Invoice Details
Each invoice includes: your business name and contact info, client name and address, invoice number and date, due date, itemized work, taxes, total amount, and payment instructions. This information is standard and professional.
Line Items on Invoices
Invoice line items should match your estimate. If you charged for extras or change orders, add line items for those. Keep invoices clear and organized—clients should instantly understand what they're paying for.
Payment Terms
Set payment terms clearly: "Due upon receipt," "Net 30," or "50% deposit received, balance due upon completion." Your terms should match what was agreed in the proposal. Ambiguous terms lead to payment delays.
Late Payment Policies
Set a policy for late payments: "Invoices 30 days late subject to 1.5% monthly interest charge." This encourages timely payment. Check your local laws on allowed interest rates before setting this.
Deposits and Partial Payments
If you require a deposit before work starts, create a deposit invoice first. When the client pays, mark it as paid. Create a final invoice for the balance due on completion. This workflow is clear for both you and the client.
Sending Invoices
Send invoices via email as a PDF, or share a link where clients can view and pay online. Include a note: "Thank you for the opportunity to work on your project. Please remit payment by [date]." Professional courtesy increases payment speed.
Payment Integration with Stripe
ANVL integrates with Stripe for secure online payments. Clients can pay by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer through ANVL. You get the money in your account within 24-48 hours (minus Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee).
Payment Status Tracking
ANVL shows invoice status: draft, sent, viewed, paid, or overdue. You get notifications when invoices are viewed or paid. This helps you follow up on unpaid invoices promptly.
Partial Payments and Installments
For large projects, accept partial payments: 25% down, 25% at 25% completion, 25% at 75% completion, 25% on final approval. Set this up in your payment terms. ANVL tracks partial payments and shows remaining balance.
Overdue Invoices
ANVL alerts you to overdue invoices. You can send payment reminders automatically or manually. Friendly reminders often prompt quick payment. If payment is seriously overdue, consider pausing work until payment is received (unless contractually obligated to continue).
Refunds and Credits
If you need to refund a client or issue a credit, create a credit memo in ANVL. This documents the refund and adjusts the account balance. Keep records for tax and accounting purposes.
Invoice History and Reporting
ANVL maintains an invoice history. You can filter by date, client, or status. Export invoices for accounting or tax purposes. Monthly and annual reports show total revenue, average invoice amount, and payment trends.
Tax Considerations
Invoices are tax documents. Include your tax ID if required in your jurisdiction. ANVL can auto-calculate sales tax or labor tax. Keep invoices for at least 7 years for tax and legal purposes.
Payment Account Setup
Connect your bank account to Stripe through ANVL. Payments deposit directly to your account. You can view detailed transaction reports in ANVL for reconciliation with your accounting software.