Most people who bill by the hour under-bill. They forget the short calls, the extra revisions and the emails. A simple record kept as you work usually raises income noticeably, and it makes invoices easy to defend.
Record as you go
Write down the time when you start and stop, and what you did. Do it in the moment, because memory is poor and generous to the client. A note on paper, a spreadsheet or a timer all work. Our Timesheet page lets you list days and hours and totals them for you.
Be specific
'Project work, 6 hours' invites questions. 'Draft homepage layout, 2.5 hours; revisions after feedback, 1 hour' answers them. Detail makes your invoice credible and helps you learn which jobs take longer than you thought.
Bill the small things
Short calls, emails and admin add up. Decide a policy: for example, billing in 15-minute blocks, or including a limited amount in your price. State it in your quote so there is no surprise.
From timesheet to invoice
At the end of the period, total the hours by task, multiply by your rate and put the lines on an invoice. Attach or summarise the timesheet if the client wants to see it. Our invoice generator takes line items with quantity and rate, so hours go straight in.
Learn from the numbers
After a few months, look at where the hours went. Which clients take more time than they pay for? Which tasks are quick and profitable? Use that to adjust your rates, say no to some work and to give better quotes.
Fixed-price work too
Even when you charge a fixed price, track your time. It tells you whether the price was right, and it makes your next quote better. If a project overran, you will know why.
Tools for this guide
More tips
- What to Put on an Invoice: A Checklist
- Ten Ways to Get Paid Faster as a Freelancer or Small Business
- Invoice Numbers: How to Number Your Invoices Sensibly
- Quote, Estimate, Pro Forma, Invoice: What Is the Difference?
- Payment Terms Explained: Net 30, Due on Receipt and Everything Between
- Credit Notes: When to Use One and How to Write It
- How to Chase a Late Payment Without Damaging the Relationship
- Purchase Orders Explained for Small Businesses
- VAT, GST and Sales Tax on Invoices: The Basics
- Hourly, Day Rate or Fixed Price: How to Price Freelance Work
- Keeping Invoice and Receipt Records: What to Keep and for How Long
- Invoicing Clients in Other Countries and Currencies
- Your First Invoice: A Calm Guide for New Freelancers
- All tips and guides
These guides are general information to help you get paid and stay organised. They are not legal or tax advice. Rules differ by country and change over time, so check with your tax authority or an adviser.