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Getting Started with Your Template
Are you a contractor who works on a time and material basis? Do you find yourself spending too much time trying to summarize your costs for client billing? We get it! Keeping track of every hour worked and every material used can be a real headache. That's why we've created a free, easy-to-use Excel and Google Sheets Time & Material Billing Template to help you streamline your billing process and get paid faster.
This template is designed to simplify how you summarize and present your project costs to clients. No more messy spreadsheets or forgotten expenses! With our template, you can clearly outline all your labor, materials, equipment and any additional costs, ensuring transparency and accuracy for both you and your client.
How to Use Your T&M Billing Template
Our T&M Billing Template is super straightforward to use, even if you're not an Excel wizard. Here's a quick guide to get you started:
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the Template
Our Billing Template is designed for efficiency, leveraging data tables and dropdown menus to make your cost summarization a breeze. Here's how to use it:
Set Up Your Databases: Before you start summarizing, populate the dedicated data tables for Labor, Materials, Equipment, and Subcontractors. In these tables, you'll enter all your relevant items, unit rates, and any other necessary details. Think of these as your personal cost libraries.
Project Details: On the main summary sheet, begin by filling in the basic project information, such as the project name, client name, date and the T&M ticket you are sumarizing the cost for.
Populate Your Summary Sheet with Dropdowns: This is where the magic happens! For each cost category (Labor, Materials, Equipment, Subcontractors), you'll find dropdown menus on the summary sheet. Simply select the item you need from the dropdown, and the template will automatically pull in the corresponding unit rates and other pre-defined information from your databases. All you need to do is enter the quantity (e.g., hours worked, number of units).
Review and Adjust: As you select items and enter quantities, the template will automatically calculate the total costs for each category. Review these figures to ensure accuracy. You can even add markup's and profit based of the various categories.
Final Summary: The template will then generate a comprehensive overview of all your costs, including total labor, total materials, total equipment, total subcontractor costs, and any other expenses, providing a clear financial breakdown for your client.
Tips for Effective T&M Billing
Be Detailed: The more information you provide, the clearer it will be for your client. Include specific tasks for labor and exact items for materials. You can use our free excel time and material template to keep your field team organized.
Keep it Updated: As you work on the project, regularly update the template. This prevents last-minute scrambling and ensures accuracy.
Communicate: If there are any significant changes or unexpected costs, communicate them with your client as soon as possible.
Why BenchMarx is a Better Solution Than Just a Template
While our free ExcelTime & Material Billing Template is a fantastic starting point, it's just that – a starting point. For growing businesses and busy contractors, managing multiple projects, tracking expenses, and generating invoices can quickly become overwhelming. That's where BenchMarx comes in!
BenchMarx is a comprehensive field tracking and cost system designed to take the hassle out of your time and material work. Imagine:
Automated T&M Tracking: No more manual entry! Track all your T&M tickets in a simple and easy-to-use app for your projects.
Covert T&M Tickets into COR's: With the click of a button, you can batch-select multiple T&M Tickets and instantly price them into a Change Order Request.
Professional Invoicing: Generate polished, detailed invoices with a few clicks, ready to send to your clients for approval.
Real-time Project Overviews: See the financial health of all your projects at a glance on our custom project dashboards.
Seamless Client Communication: Share updates and reports directly from the platform.
BenchMarx Cost Summary application that automatically summarizes your T&M tickets.
BenchMarx goes beyond a simple time and material cost summary by offering a robust solution that saves you time, reduces errors, and helps you focus on what you do best – your work! While our template is great for a single project, BenchMarx is built to scale with your business, providing you with the tools you need to manage all your time and material contracts efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions about Time & Material Work
Everything you need to know about time and material in construction
What is a Time and Materials Contract?
A time and materials contract is a type of agreement where the client pays the contractor based on the actual time spent by the contractor (usually at a predetermined hourly or daily rate) and the actual cost of materials used in the project. It's often used when the scope of a project isn't fully defined at the outset, allowing for flexibility as the project evolves.
How Does a Time and Materials Contract Work?
In a time and materials contract, the contractor tracks their labor hours and material expenses throughout the project. They then submit a summary or invoice to the client, detailing these costs. The client pays for the actual time and materials consumed, plus any agreed-upon markup for materials or overhead. This differs from a fixed-price contract, where the total cost is agreed upon upfront.
What is the Difference Between Time and Materials and Cost-Plus Contracts?
While both time and materials and cost-plus contracts involve reimbursement for costs, there's a key difference. A cost-plus contract typically reimburses the contractor for all direct and indirect costs, plus an agreed-upon profit margin (either a fixed fee or a percentage of costs). A time and materials contract, on the other hand, focuses specifically on labor hours and material costs, often with a cap or not-to-exceed clause to provide some cost control for the client.
When Should You Use a Time and Materials Contract?
Time and materials contracts are ideal for projects where the scope is uncertain, or where changes are likely to occur. This could include initial site set-up, commissioning, or complex construction projects with unforeseen variables. They offer flexibility for both parties, as the project can adapt without constant renegotiation of a fixed price.
How Are Time and Material Rates Determined?
Time and material rates are typically determined by a combination of factors, including the contractor's overhead, desired profit margin, market rates for similar services, and the skill level of the personnel involved. Material costs are usually passed through at cost, sometimes with a small markup to cover handling and administrative expenses.
Can Time and Material Rates Be Audited?
Yes, in many time and materials contracts, especially for larger projects, there's a clause allowing the client to audit the contractor's records to verify the time and material costs. This ensures transparency and accountability, giving the client peace of mind that they are being billed fairly.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Time and Materials Contracts?
Pros: • Flexibility: Adapts well to changing project scopes. • Transparency: Clients see exactly what they're paying for. • Fairness: Contractors are compensated for all work performed and materials used.
Cons: • Cost Uncertainty: Clients may face unpredictable costs if the project scope expands significantly. • Less Incentive for Efficiency: Contractors might have less incentive to complete work quickly if they are paid by the hour. • Administrative Burden: Requires detailed tracking of time and materials.
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