How do contractors send invoices?
Most contractors send invoices by email or through a job management platform that tracks when clients view them. The faster you invoice, the faster you get paid. We'll walk through the actual methods that work and which ones make clients actually pay on time.
Email invoices directly to the client
Simplest method: invoice PDF attached to an email. You can generate these from accounting software like QuickBooks or Wave, or manually in a spreadsheet if your operation is small. The problem is friction. Clients get the email, file it away, and forget. They need to dig through attachments to see what they owe. For faster payment, include a payment link in the email body itself. This removes steps. A concrete example: a concrete contractor invoices $8,500 for a driveway pour. Instead of burying payment details in a PDF, the email says "Pay now via Stripe" with a clickable link. Payment time drops from 30 days to 7 days on average. Send the invoice the same day you finish the work. Waiting a week to invoice costs you 7 days of float.
Use a job management platform with built-in invoicing
Job management software like Lowkly, Jobber, or ServiceTitan lets you invoice directly from the job site. You create the invoice in the app, and it automatically sends to the client. The client sees it immediately in a branded portal or email link. This is faster than email because the software tracks when they view it and reminds them about unpaid invoices. You can also see which invoices are overdue without manually checking spreadsheets. These platforms usually integrate with payment processors, so clients can pay directly in the portal without requesting your banking details. For a plumbing company doing 20 jobs a month, this saves 3-4 hours of admin per week. The other benefit is cleaner records. Every invoice is timestamped and stored in one place. You're not hunting through email folders.
Text or SMS invoices for speed
Some platforms let you send invoices via text message. This works because contractors' clients actually read texts. An HVAC technician completes a furnace replacement. Instead of emailing a PDF, they text the homeowner a link to the invoice. Open rates are 90% within 2 hours. Texts are also useful for reminders on overdue invoices. A text saying "Your $3,200 invoice is 10 days overdue" gets answered faster than an email. SMS invoicing is usually an add-on feature in job management platforms, not something you'd use on its own. The downside is it doesn't work for all payment types. SMS links usually drive to a payment portal, so the client still needs to process the transaction online.
Offer multiple payment methods to reduce delays
How clients pay matters. If your invoice only says "send a check," clients delay because they have to write checks, find a stamp, and mail them. You wait 5-7 days for delivery plus 3-5 days for the check to clear. That's 10 days minimum. Online payment methods cut this to 1-2 days. Offer credit card payments through a processor like Stripe or Square. Yes, you'll pay 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction. On a $5,000 invoice, that's about $150. You get paid in 2 days instead of 12. The cash flow advantage is worth it for larger jobs. ACH bank transfers are another option. Zero fees. Usually 1-2 day processing. A roofing contractor invoicing $12,000 should give clients the option between credit card, ACH, or check. Most will pick the payment method that's easiest for them, which is usually the one that posts fastest.
Bottom line
Invoice the same day work is done, send it via email with a direct payment link, and offer multiple payment methods. Skip the check-only requirement. These three changes cut your average collection time by half.