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Tradie guides.

Plain-English answers on quoting, invoicing and getting paid. No jargon, no lectures.

23 guides
PaidGetting paid

How to chase an overdue invoice without being rude

The day 3/7/10/14 timeline that gets tradies paid, with copy-and-send message templates for every step.

3 min read
PaidGetting paid

Customer won't pay? How to get your money

The ladder that gets you paid: letter of demand, then the state tribunal. Template included.

3 min read
PaidGetting paid

How much deposit should you take?

30-50% upfront on bigger jobs is normal and fair. How to ask without the awkwardness.

3 min read
PaidGetting paid

Can you charge a late fee in Australia?

Yes - but only if it was agreed up front. Flat fee vs interest, and how to word the term.

3 min read
PaidGetting paid

Get paid faster: pay link vs bank transfer

A pay link beats typed-in bank details every time. Card vs PayID vs transfer, plainly.

3 min read
PaidGetting paid

Due on receipt vs 7 days vs 30: picking payment terms

There's no law picking your terms for you. What each one signals, and how to word it so the due date is unmissable.

4 min read
AdminAdmin

What has to be on a tax invoice in Australia

The required fields, the $82.50 and $1,000 rules, and what changes if you're not registered.

3 min read
AdminAdmin

Do I charge GST? The $75k question

The $75,000 rolling threshold, the 21-day window, and what changes on your invoices.

3 min read
AdminAdmin

Quote vs estimate vs invoice

A quote is a promise, an estimate can move, an invoice is the bill. Get the words right.

3 min read
AdminAdmin

Is tool insurance worth it for a sole trader?

If your tools got stolen tomorrow, could you replace them out of pocket? When the cover pays for itself.

5 min read
AdminAdmin

Does public liability insurance cover your tools?

No. It covers damage you do to other people, not your own gear. Why tools need their own cover.

4 min read
AdminAdmin

Tool insurance for employees: whose tools are covered?

Your policy might only cover your gear, not your worker's. Who pays when a staff member's tools go missing.

5 min read
AdminAdmin

Can you send an invoice without an ABN?

You can, but a business customer may have to withhold about 47%. The trap and the free fix.

4 min read
AdminAdmin

How to number your invoices so they don't get messy

Unique, sequential, never reused. The formats that work, the mess to avoid, and yes, you can start at 1000.

4 min read
StartStarting out

Do I need an ABN to send a quote or invoice?

Invoice a business without an ABN and they must withhold about 47% of your money.

3 min read
StartStarting out

ABN vs GST: they're not the same thing

An ABN is your free business ID. GST is a 10% tax you only add once registered.

3 min read
StartStarting out

How to register an ABN for free

It's free from the government's ABR. Don't pay a lookalike site for the same form.

3 min read
StartStarting out

Do I need public liability insurance?

Most sites, clients and some licences won't let you start without it. What it covers.

3 min read
StartStarting out

The insurance tradies skip (and shouldn't)

Tool theft is common, and there's no sick leave when you're solo. The covers most skip.

3 min read
InvoiceTemplates

Free invoice template for lawn mowing

The line items a mowie actually bills, and the fields that make it a valid invoice.

3 min read
InvoiceTemplates

Free invoice template for pressure washing

Bill by surface: driveway, house wash, paths and callout, plus the valid-invoice fields.

3 min read
InvoiceTemplates

Free invoice template for handymen

Labour, materials, call-out. The line items handymen actually bill and the fields that make it valid.

3 min read
InvoiceTemplates

Free invoice template for pool cleaning

Service visit, chemicals, parts. The line items for regulars and one-offs, and the fields that make it valid.

3 min read
Free, from the ute

Sorted the paperwork? The app does it for you.

Quotes, invoices, GST and the chasing - UteHQ handles the lot from your phone. Free.

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