Surveyor invoice template

How do surveyors usually invoice?

Surveyors invoice per survey or report at a fixed fee tied to the property type and value, usually paid before the report is released because the buyer may walk away from the purchase once they have read it. Party wall and building surveying work is charged hourly or per award, and the adjoining owner's surveyor fee is often paid by the building owner. Lenders and panel firms pay on 30 day terms.

Surveyors in this example give the customer 14 days to pay. Hourly rates run from £70 to £150. A full day is typically £500 to £950.

What should a surveyor put on an invoice?

Beyond the legal basics, surveyors should:

• Name the property address and the survey level on the invoice; it is what the client bought.
• Make payment due before the report is released and state that on the invoice.
• For party wall work, say whose surveyor you are and who is liable for the fee.
• Reference the panel or lender job number for mortgage valuation work.

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 surveyors 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% for UK clients; services to business clients outside the UK are generally outside the scope of UK VAT.

On the Flat Rate Scheme the sector for surveyors is usually “Architect, civil and structural engineer or surveyor” at 14.5% 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.