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Lighting technician invoice template

A worked example for lighting technicians in the events, food and hospitality category, with 2026 prices and the VAT rules that apply.

A lighting technician invoice should show a unique invoice number, your name and address, the client's details, the date, each item of work with its price, and the total due. Lighting technicians typically allow 30 days to pay. VAT at 20% is added only if you are VAT registered.

Example lighting technician invoice

Dated 1 October 2026 with 30 day terms. Names and prices are fictional.

Invoice

INV-0042

Example

From

E. Hughes

Lighting technician

88 Victoria Road

Manchester

M14 7KL

Bill to

Brightwater Marketing Ltd

2nd Floor, 15 Queen Street

Manchester

M2 5HX

Invoice date
1 October 2026
Due date
31 October 2026
Terms
30 days
Reference
Lighting technician work, October 2026
DescriptionQtyUnit priceVATAmount
Lighting technician, corporate awards dinner, rig, operate and de-rig2 days£300.0020%£600.00
Lighting hire: 12 moving heads, 16 uplighters, desk and cabling1 event£980.0020%£980.00
Overtime beyond 12 hour day, 10 October2.5 hours£40.0020%£100.00
Subtotal
£1,680.00
VAT at 20%
£336.00
Total
£2,016.00
Fictional names and prices for illustration. Payment by bank transfer to the account shown on your real invoice. Due within 30 days of the invoice date.
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Typical rates for lighting technicians

Guide figures for 2026. Rates vary by region and experience; the VAT figures come from the 2026-27 tax year data.

ItemTypical figure
Typical hourly rate£25 to £55
Typical day rate£220 to £450
Payment terms30 days
DepositNot usually taken
VAT flat rate sectorEntertainment or journalism (12.5%)
VAT registration threshold£90,000 taxable turnover in 12 months

How do lighting technicians usually invoice?

Lighting technicians invoice production companies, venues and event agencies by the day, with the rig and de-rig days counted and overtime beyond a 10 or 12 hour day charged hourly, on 30 day terms with the production's job number. Equipment hire, where the technician supplies kit, is a separate line. Crew booked through a crewing agency are often self-billed rather than invoicing.

Lighting technicians in this example give the customer 30 days to pay. Hourly rates run from £25 to £55. A full day is typically £220 to £450.

What should a lighting technician put on an invoice?

Beyond the legal basics, lighting technicians should:

  • List each day with the date and role (rig, show, de-rig) and the overtime hours separately.
  • Keep equipment hire on its own line from your labour.
  • Quote the production company's job number and the event name.
  • If a crewing agency self-bills, keep their statements as your sales record and do not invoice twice.

Every UK invoice, whatever the trade, must also show:

  • a unique, sequential invoice number
  • your business name and address (and company number if you trade as a limited company)
  • the client’s name and address
  • the invoice date and, for VAT invoices, the date of supply if different
  • a clear description of each item of work or goods
  • the amount due and when it must be paid
  • your VAT number, the VAT rate per line and the VAT total, if you are VAT registered

Do lighting technicians charge VAT?

You only charge VAT once registered, which is compulsory when taxable turnover passes £90,000 in any rolling 12 months. Below that, show no VAT line and no VAT number. Once registered, these services are standard rated at 20%.

On the Flat Rate Scheme the sector for lighting technicians is usually “Entertainment or journalism” at 12.5% of VAT-inclusive turnover, with a 1% discount in the first year of registration. If you spend little on goods you may be a limited cost trader and have to use 16.5% instead. The scheme suits businesses with few VAT-able costs; check it against the standard method with the VAT calculator before joining.

Source: GOV.UK: Invoicing and taking payment from customers; GOV.UK: VAT Flat Rate Scheme, how much you pay. Last updated .

Frequently asked questions

What do lighting technicians charge per day?
Freelance lighting technicians charge £220 to £450 a day in 2026, with lighting designers and programmers higher, plus overtime at £30 to £55 an hour beyond the agreed day length. Equipment hire is priced per item per day. Crewing agency rates are lower but steady.
How do freelance crew invoice production companies?
With a day-by-day breakdown quoting the job number, the event and the day length, sent after the de-rig and paid in 30 days. Production companies need the crew member's UTR or company details on the invoice. Keep a copy of the call sheet with each invoice.
Do lighting technicians charge VAT?
Only once registered, above £90,000 turnover, which labour-only technicians rarely reach but those hiring out kit often do. Once registered, labour and hire are standard rated at 20%. The flat rate sector for entertainment is 12.5%.

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