VAT invoices for handymen: what you must show

When you have to register

VAT registration becomes compulsory once your VAT-taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or if you expect to pass it in the next 30 days alone. For a handyman that counts everything you invoice — labour and materials — not the profit you keep.

What a full VAT invoice must show

• A sequential invoice number, unique within its series.
• Your business name, address and VAT registration number.
• The customer's name and address.
• The time of supply (tax point) and the invoice date.
• A description of the handyman work supplied, per line.
• The VAT-exclusive amount, the VAT rate and the VAT amount per rate.
• The total VAT-exclusive amount and the total VAT payable in sterling.

The rate trap for handymen

Standard-rated at 20% across almost all general repair and odd-job work. Watch your turnover if you also supply materials — the £90,000 threshold counts the materials you invoice as well as your labour.

Worked example at 20%

Net total for the job

£242.00

VAT at 20%

£48.40

Total the customer pays

£290.40

The £48.40 is never your money — you are collecting it for HMRC and paying it over on your next return.

Common questions

Should a handyman invoice list every job separately?

Yes. Handyman visits cover several unrelated tasks, and a one-line total invites the question "what did that cover?" — which delays payment.

Is it better to charge hourly or by the half day?

Half days suit lists of small jobs and protect you from travel time eating the margin. Hourly suits a single defined task where the scope is obvious.

How do I charge for a second trip to buy parts?

Either build it into the visit rate or show it as its own short labour line with the reason. What you must not do is hide it inside the materials price.