Accounting and invoicing for architects

What comes up for architects

How Saldiqo helps

• Stage invoices per phaseQuote, stage invoices, final invoice.
• DisbursementsPlots, travel and copies as a line.
• Record consultantsInvoices as expenses with the project’s cost centre.
• Cost centre per projectEffort, fee, third-party services.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

• Work stage 2, design, stage invoice
• Work stage 4, planning application
• Site supervision, hours
• Disbursements, flat fee 3 %
• Structural design re-invoiced as per receipt
• Plots and copies

Tax and invoicing in the UK

What applies to invoices in the UK, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT

Standard rate 20 %, reduced rate 5 % and zero rate 0 %. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.

VAT registration

You must register once your taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or you expect to pass it within the next 30 days. You can deregister below £88,000. Until you are registered, your invoices show no VAT, and Saldiqo adds up your 12-month turnover for you.

What goes on an invoice

If you are VAT registered: your VAT number, the tax point, unit prices and the VAT total in pounds. A limited company shows its registered name on every invoice, and its company number, registered office and part of the UK on letters, order forms and the website.

E-invoicing

There is no mandate today. From April 2029 e-invoicing is planned for all B2B and B2G sales that carry VAT, through Peppol. The exact date and standard are not yet in law, and the government’s roadmap follows with the Budget on 28 October 2026.

VAT returns

VAT returns go to HMRC through Making Tax Digital, usually quarterly, due one month and seven days after the period. Saldiqo shows sales and VAT per rate and exports CSV. It does not submit to HMRC, and for Making Tax Digital you need software recognised by HMRC.

Record keeping

Keep VAT records for 6 years.

Late payment

Statutory interest on late business payments is the Bank Rate (3.75 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 11.75 %. On top comes fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100, depending on the amount owed (under £1,000, from £1,000, from £10,000). Consumers have no statutory interest.

Getting paid

Your sort code and account number are on every invoice. Customers pay by Faster Payments or Bacs, and banks check the account name with Confirmation of Payee. There is no QR standard in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

How do I bill work stages?

With stage invoices per phase from the quote and a final invoice that deducts them.

Does Saldiqo calculate fees under a fee scale?

No. You enter the agreed amounts, and Saldiqo does not calculate scale fees.

Do architects in the UK have to charge VAT?

Only once they are VAT registered. Registration is required when taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or is expected to within the next 30 days. Below that you may register voluntarily. If you are not registered, you must not show VAT on your invoices.

Do architects in the UK need e-invoicing?

Not today. A mandate for B2B and B2G sales with VAT is planned from April 2029, and the details were still open as of October 2026. You can keep sending PDF invoices for now.

How long should architects keep invoices?

Keep VAT records for 6 years. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

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