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How to Write Payment Terms That Get You Paid Faster

Oct 26, 2026 4 min read

Top Invoicing Platforms for AIA-Style Templates

For commercial construction contractors, standard invoices won't cut it. General contractors and architects require AIA-style progress billing (G702 and G703 forms) to track schedule of values, retainage, and completion percentages.

Understanding the AIA G702 and G703

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) standardized construction billing to protect all parties.

  • G702 (Application and Certificate for Payment): The summary sheet showing the original contract sum, net change by change orders, total completed to date, retainage, and the current payment due.
  • G703 (Continuation Sheet): The detailed breakdown (Schedule of Values) showing exactly what percentage of each line item (e.g., framing, electrical, plumbing) is completed.

Why Standard Invoicing Fails for Construction

Tools like QuickBooks or FreshBooks are designed for retail or simple service businesses. They struggle with Progress Billing (billing 25% of a line item one month, and 50% the next) and Retainage (holding back 10% of the payment until the end of the project).

The Best Alternatives for Construction Billing

If you don't want to pay the expensive licensing fees for official AIA software, there are several platforms tailored for construction:

  • Procore: The enterprise gold standard. It handles everything from RFI's to progress billing automatically, but comes with a hefty enterprise price tag.
  • Buildertrend: Excellent for custom home builders and mid-size commercial contractors, offering built-in schedule of values and lien waiver management.
  • Foundation Software: A construction-specific accounting platform that natively generates AIA-style applications for payment.

The Free Alternative: Excel Templates + PDF Generators

If you are a smaller subcontractor and can't justify a $500/month software subscription, the most common workaround is using a specialized Excel template that mimics the G702/G703 math. Once the math is approved, you can generate a clean, professional summary using a tool like Invoiro, attaching the detailed Excel sheet as your continuation backup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Use multi-currency invoicing to bill in your client's local currency, which eliminates conversion surprise charges. Invoiro lets you select from 50+ currencies and automatically formats the amounts correctly. Pair this with payment providers like Wise or PayPal to minimize transfer fees.
Requirements vary by country, but most jurisdictions require: your business name and address, the client's name, a unique invoice number, the date of issue, a description of goods/services, the amount due, tax registration number (if applicable), and payment terms. Invoiro's templates include all legally required fields by default.
In Invoiro, simply enter your tax rate (e.g., "20% VAT" or "10% GST") and the system automatically applies it to your line items. For multiple tax rates or compound taxes, you can add additional tax lines. The subtotal, tax amount, and grand total are calculated instantly.
An invoice is a request for payment after work is completed. An estimate (or quote) is a projected cost sent before work begins — it's not legally binding. A receipt is proof of payment after the client has paid. Invoiro lets you create all three document types and convert between them.
Create your invoice in Invoiro with your business details, the client's information, and your line items. Export it as a PDF, then send it via email with a brief, professional message. Include your payment instructions and due date in the invoice itself. Invoiro formats everything for you.
Standard payment terms are Net 30 (30 days), but many freelancers and small businesses use Net 15 or Net 7 for faster cash flow. For new clients, consider requesting a deposit upfront. Invoiro lets you set custom payment terms and due dates on every invoice.