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Accounting and invoicing for roofers

New roofing, repairs after the storm, roof windows and waterproofing: roofers have jobs that depend on the weather and advance high material costs. Saldiqo issues stage invoices on material orders, bills scaffolding and disposal as separate lines and reminds customers who should pay.

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What comes up for roofers

Advancing material costs

Tiles, insulation and membranes run into the thousands before the first move is made. Without a stage invoice the firm lends money to itself.

Weather and dates

Jobs shift and emergency repairs come in between. Invoices have to be created between two roofs, too.

Insurance cases

After storm or hail billing runs through insurers, with measurements, photos and deadlines.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Stage invoice on material orderQuote, stage invoice on ordering, final invoice after acceptance.
  • Scaffolding and disposal as linesScaffolding, skips and disposal as separate lines or re-invoiced receipts.
  • Receipts from the builders’ merchantPhotograph the receipt and assign it to a site.
  • Reverse charge for constructionFor jobs for businesses that provide construction services themselves you choose the tax type reverse charge.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • New roofing, pitched roof, 140 square metres
  • Roof window installation, each
  • Scaffolding re-invoiced as per receipt
  • Emergency repair after storm damage, hours
  • Disposal of old material, skip
  • Stage invoice 40 % on material order

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 secure pre-financing of material?

With a stage invoice on the material order that you issue straight from the quote.

Does the reverse charge apply to roofers?

Construction services to businesses that provide construction services themselves are often subject to the reverse charge. You clear that case by case with your tax adviser.

Do roofers 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 roofers 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 roofers 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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Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.