Replies

1. 
   MojoMan | Mar 01, 2004 01:51am | #1

   I usually just use a word processor. I just copy the previous bill, or one similar to the bill I'm sending and edit it to fit the current situation. I don't send out so many that I need any fancy software for the job. Since most of my customers are repeats, I usually have their name and address already in the file and I can just copy and paste.

   Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Mar 01, 2004 02:34am | #2

   For small jobs with one bill, I have an excel spreadsheet that I use and just fill in the description and amount.  For larger jobs with multiple invoices, I use another excel sheet that is broken down by cvatagory, and I show monthly progress and such, similar to the AIA form.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

   The craftsman formerly known as elCid

3. 
   calvin | Mar 01, 2004 03:54am | #3

   I use quickbooks.  The template for invoicing is provided or you can customize to your own liking.  The numbers are eaten by the program to keep records for each customer.  It took my 3 part copy invoicing and writing it all down and stashing in a drawer until april 14th and propelled it into the 21st century.  I especially like the memory according to customer, type, etc. as mine is not quite as keen.  Each invoice and payment is saved according to client, making going back pretty darn easy.  For a simple minded guy like me, perfect.  Good looking invoicing and bookeeping in one package.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   GregWerner | Mar 01, 2004 05:26am | #4

   I also use Quickbooks. It took me awhile to gettin around to buying it , but now I don't know what  I ever did without it.Greg

   Werner Building &  Remodeling

   Huntingdon PA

    

4. 
   Dinosaur | Mar 01, 2004 06:09am | #5

   I use a program by Dynacom called NOVA INVOICES AND ESTIMATES PRO. It's not perfect, but for the price I paid ($49.95 Can.) it's a pretty good deal. It's got data-base capability, so you can enter materials and labour rates once and then have them pop up into the invoices just by entering a code, the same way the guys at the yard do when you buy materials there.

   The program also generates statements, maintains a customer data base, will e-mail invoices and statements, etc., and will generate a whole slew of reports, most of which I've never needed myself....

   There are a bunch of dunning letters and standard forms included, but you can also create your own custom forms if you want to go to the trouble. What you don't get control of is the data input window--that's fixed, and you need to be able to work around it or the program won't be what you want.

   Here is a sample invoice created using this program. I created the graphic form myself; this is not one of the program's standard invoice forms. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or more recent to open this one. That you can download free from http://www.adobe.com if you haven't already got it.

   Dinosaur

   'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?

5. 
   rasconc | Mar 01, 2004 06:15am | #6

   I use the Works spreadsheet that comes as a bundle with many computers.  It is basically a watered down Excel.  If not familiar with these simple spreadsheets I would highly recommend getting familiar.  They can do so much with a little effort.  Great for what if's.  I am chairman of Building committee at our church.  Trying to replace a flat roof with gabled one and add on to the front.  Have three bidders and three phases of construction.  Plug in bids, arch fees, avail funds, possible grants, etc and play around to find the right fit.

   I use it for my little invoices, save one as a template, plug in customer and whatever detail required.  It does not make math errors.

   The Home Depot CD has some canned forms on it for time sheets and a bunch of other stuff.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/29/2004 10:22:09 PM ET by RASCONC

1. 
   jonblakemore | Mar 01, 2004 09:26am | #7

   I couldn't open a .wks file in Excel.  Could you post a screen shot? 

   Jon Blakemore

1. 
   rasconc | Mar 01, 2004 06:31pm | #8

   The HD program has all the file types on it I think I can add the Excel file but I cnnot look at it since I do not have Excel.

                                 Forms & Worksheets                       =================================

                                     -Overview-     This CD includes over 44 estimating and bidding forms. If you have  any of the popular word processing or spreadsheet programs, you can  change these forms to suit your needs, add your company name and address,  and then print high quality copies with your laser or ink jet printer.

                                -To access the forms-  To use the forms on the CD, you need one of the following Windows-  based word processing or spreadsheet programs.

     MS Word Open the forms with a DOC file name suffix.  Works  Open the forms with a WKS file name suffix.  WordPerfect Open the forms with a WP file name suffix.  Excel  Open the forms with a XLS file name suffix.  Lotus 1-2-3 Open the forms with a WK4 file name suffix.

     All forms are on the FORMS directory of the CD. Once you  make changes to any form, save it to your hard drive   (such as C:/My Documents).

   File Name    Form Name                                            ===========================================================================ACTJOB.      Actual Job Costs                                     BALANCE.     Balance Sheet                                        BIDHIST.     Bid History                                          BUDGET.      Annual Budget                                        BUILDREP.    Building Repair Estimate Form                        BUSPLAN.     Business Plan Recommendations                        CERTCOMP.    Cert. of Substantial Completion                      CHANGEST.    Change Estimate Take-off Form                        CHANGSUM.    Change Estimate Summary                              CHANGWRK.    Change Estimate Worksheet                            COMPBID.     Competitor Bid File                                  CONSCHED.    Construction Schedule                               DALYTIME.    Daily Time Slip                                      ESTDETAL.    Estimate Detail Form                                 ESTDSHET.    Estimate Detail Sheet                                ESTSUM1.     Estimate Summary - Short Form                        ESTSUM2.     Estimate Summary - Industrial & Commercial           ESTSUM3.     Estimate Summary Form                               ESTTAKE.     Estimate Take-off Sheet                              INCOME.      Income Statement                                     JOBEST.      Job Estimate Log                                     JOBSCHED.    Job Schedule                                         MAXASSET.    Maximum Asset Utilization                            MINUTES.     Minutes to Hundredths of an Hour Conversion Table    MONTHBIL.    Monthly Progress Billing Report                      ORDERLOG.    Change Order Log                                     OVERCHEK.    Overhead Checklist                                   OVERRECP.    Overhead Recap Form                                  PAINTEST.    Painting Estimate FormPLANTEQP.    Plant and Equipment Checklist                        PROJSUM.     Project SummaryPROWORK1.    Completed Projects WorksheetPROWORK2.    Project WorksheetPURCHORD.    Purchase Order Sheet                                 QUOTSHET.    Quotation Sheet                                     RESEST.      Residential Estimate Summary                         SALESTAX.    Tax Free Merchandise Authorization                           SUBCON1.     Standard Form Subcontract                           SUBCON2.     Subcontract Change Order Form                       SUBMITTL.    Submittal IndexSUNDLIST.    Sundry Inventory Checklist                           TAKEOFF.     Take-off Sheet                                       TELECONV.    Record of Telephone Conversation                     WRKSHEET.    Work Sheet from National Electrical Estimator                                          

    

1. 
   jonblakemore | Mar 01, 2004 07:29pm | #9

   It worked- I was able to open in excel.

   Thanks alot. 

   Jon Blakemore