A timesheet your client can approve before you bill

A timesheet is the evidence behind an hourly bill: which days, what hours and what was done. This one totals itself as you add days and multiplies by your rate if you give one. When the period ends, the client enters their name to approve, which heads off most queries before the invoice goes out.

When to use it

• A contractor bills a cafe by the hour for a kitchen refit.
• A subcontractor needs a client's sign-off before their invoice gets paid.
• A freelancer works variable hours and wants a record from day one.
• A temp or agency worker needs a site manager to confirm their week.

What a good one includes

• The period covered and the job, which fix what this total relates to.
• Each date with start and end times.
• A note per day. 'Waiting on tiler from 15:00' explains a short day before anyone asks.
• Who did the work, if it's not obvious.
• An hourly rate, if you want a dollar total to show.
• A client approval, kept with your records.

Make one by saying what you need

Text it, type it or say it, the way you'd tell a colleague:

Timesheet for Marek at Cornerstone Joinery on the Vine Street shop fit, $70 an hour, Monday 8 hours, Tuesday 7.5 hours, Wednesday 8 hours.

Questions

Do I have to keep timesheets for employees?

Many countries require employers to keep records of hours, particularly for hourly workers. How long, and what they must show, varies, so check your local rules.

Can I add days as I go?

Yes. Send a message with the day and hours, and the total updates.

Does an approved timesheet mean the client has to pay?

It's strong evidence the hours were agreed, though your contract and local law decide what's owed.