Invoicing App for Handymen
Scope the job on-site, add line items and photos, create the paperwork even when the signal drops, then take Square payments once you're back online. Built for solo and very small handyman businesses.
How handymen use BillRig
Punch-list day at a rental
Small landlord sends a list: leaky faucet, drywall patch, sticking door, blinds rehang. Build one estimate with five line items, attach a photo per task, send the PDF before you start, and convert to a single invoice when the day's done. Square at the door, paid same-day.
Ceiling fan install + small repairs
Walk-through with the homeowner: ceiling fan install, drywall patch around the old mounting box, a quick paint touch-up. Voice-dictate the line items on-site, show the PDF preview before they sign, take a small deposit where allowed if materials are upfront, and invoice the balance on completion.
Emergency evening call — no signal
Last-minute call about a broken back door. You're in a basement with no bars. BillRig captures the estimate offline, the homeowner reviews it on your phone, and the whole record syncs the moment you're back in coverage. The estimate doesn't get lost between visits.
When a job edges toward a licensing threshold
Mid-visit, the customer wants to add work that pushes the total above your state's handyman threshold. BillRig keeps the estimate clear and easy to update on the spot, so you can pause before changing scope, check your state's licensing rules, and decide whether to proceed with proper licensing/paperwork or refer the expanded job to a licensed contractor — with the original estimate still organized.
BillRig vs. generic invoicing tools
| Feature | BillRig | Generic Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Offline mode | ||
| Square payments | ||
| State compliance rules | ||
| Voice-to-estimate | ||
| Mobile-first design | ||
| Basic invoicing |
Deposit Caps for Handymen: State-by-State
Most handyman jobs are flat-rate or hourly, paid on completion — no deposit involved. Once a job is large enough to fall under home-improvement contracting rules, deposit-cap rules may apply. For supported states — currently Arizona and California — BillRig surfaces the deposit cap on the deposit field based on the job site address. For other states, our 50-state guide explains the rule to apply.
Licensing thresholds (educational only)
California's small-project exemption sits at $1,000 of combined labor and materials, effective January 1, 2025 — and only when no workers are hired and no building permit is required. Arizona's handyman exemption under ARS § 32-1121 commonly turns on whether labor and materials stay below $1,000 and no permit is required, with additional exclusions. Jobs above those limits, jobs requiring permits, or jobs outside the exemption may require a contractor license. Rules in other states vary widely; the 50-state guide below covers deposit caps, and your state contractor licensing board is the source of record for licensing thresholds.
BillRig does not determine whether a specific job requires a license, and does not provide legal advice. Contractors remain responsible for licensing and contract requirements in their state.
Top 10 States handymen Operate In
- California — Lesser of $1,000 or 10% of contract price; no exceptions for "materials". See full California rules.
- Texas — No statutory cap; trust-fund obligations apply on deposits collected. See full Texas rules.
- Florida — No statutory cap, but if initial payment exceeds 10%, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90. See full Florida rules.
- New York — No numeric cap; advance and progress payments must be held in escrow or protected by bond. See full New York rules.
- Pennsylvania — On contracts over $5,000, deposit capped at one-third of contract price (or one-third plus special-order materials). See full Pennsylvania rules.
- Illinois — No statutory cap; written contract and consumer brochure required for most home repair work. See full Illinois rules.
- Ohio — On contracts over $25,000, deposit capped at 10% (up to 75% allowed for nonreturnable special-order items). See full Ohio rules.
- Georgia — No statutory cap; consumer-fraud exposure for abusive deposit practices. See full Georgia rules.
- North Carolina — No statutory cap; cooling-off rules apply for in-home sales. See full North Carolina rules.
- Michigan — No statutory cap; owner payments are trust funds and misappropriation can be a felony. See full Michigan rules.
For any state not listed, see our complete 50-state guide.
Common handymen jobs on BillRig
Why handymen Choose BillRig
Most handyman work happens at the door, in the kitchen, or out in the yard — places where you're scoping the job in front of the customer with a phone in one hand. BillRig is built for that: tap line items in fast, attach photos so the homeowner sees exactly what they're approving, add a note about scope or materials, and the PDF is ready before you've put your tools away.
Estimate-to-invoice is one tap. Once the job's done, you convert the signed estimate to an invoice without retyping anything, and the homeowner pays through Square — credit card at the door, ACH for a recurring referral, Cash App for the under-30 crowd. Funds clear on Square's standard schedule. No second app, no paper invoice mailed home, no 'I'll write you a check next week.'
Solo handymen don't need full field-service software. Jobber, Housecall Pro, and similar tools are built for crews of 5–20 with dispatchers, schedulers, and CRM pipelines. BillRig stays narrow: estimates, invoices, photos, payments, offline support. If you grow into a crew you can outgrow it; until then it stays out of your way.
For supported states — currently Arizona and California — BillRig surfaces the deposit cap on the deposit field when you collect a deposit on a larger job. For licensing thresholds, the educational block above is your starting point, and the 50-state deposit guide is the cross-reference. BillRig is not a law firm and does not decide whether a job requires a license — that judgment stays with you and your state's licensing board.
Related reading
Contractor Deposit Limits by State
When a handyman job crosses your state's threshold, deposit-cap law usually applies. The 50-state guide explains the rules in supported states and what to apply manually elsewhere.
How to Invoice as a Contractor
Step-by-step guide to professional invoicing — from setting payment terms to following up on late payments.
How to Get Paid Faster as a Contractor
9 practical tips. The biggest one for handymen: tap-to-pay on Square at the door beats 'check next week' every time.
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