Free Contractor Work Order Template

A work order (also called a job order, service ticket, or work request) is a written record describing a contracting job with an estimate that’s been approved, but hasn’t been started yet. Contractors can use work orders to manage clients’ jobs. 

Work orders can also be used within a project if one team or department needs another team to complete a task. For example, a standard contractor work order might be used during a bathroom renovation project to send project details to plumbing and electrical subcontractors.

No matter how it’s used, a contractor or construction work order form describes what work will be completed, how much it’ll cost, and what materials the contracting job will require. It also includes contact information for the contractor and their customer, and both will receive a copy of the work order for their records.

Our blank, editable contractor work order template makes it easy to customize and send professional-looking work orders for future jobs. It’s a great way to start any construction project, whether you’re just starting a business or you’ve been in the industry for years.

You can also use our work order template to create a construction change order. This comes in handy when you need to re-issue a work order due to required changes.

Your contractor service work order should include:

• Job number, work order number, start date, and end date
• Your business name, address, and contact information
• The customer’s name and contact details
• Products/services requested, including item description, quantity, and hourly labor cost
• Estimated project amount, factoring in subtotal, discounts, and taxes
• Any notes about the requested work (e.g., job specifications, installation instructions, required tools or materials, safety guidelines, preventive maintenance, payment terms)
• Space for the customer’s signature and today’s date

The words “work order” should also be visible in big letters. Your contractor work order could look like an estimate or invoice, so it should be clear what this document is for. If you use a basic contractor work order generator like this one, your work order will automatically include all the details you need.

Check out the contractor work order sample below to see how yours should look:

Here’s how to build a contracting work order, how to use it during a job, and what comes next:

1. Determine if this is a planned project (like a kitchen renovation) or an unplanned service call or maintenance work (like making a warranty repair for a previous project). This can affect factors like your job start date and might impact other scheduled work.
2. Create a work order using this free printable work order template and add in all the job details. Then send the completed contractor work order to your customer and to the installation or maintenance team who will complete the job.
3. Add the work to your calendar using job scheduling software and assign it to specific employees. This will allow your team to see the job in their schedules and track time for it. You’ll also be able to easily adjust your schedule as needed to accommodate unplanned service calls.
4. When the job is finished, mark the work order as completed and send your invoice to the customer.

You can use a work order as a binding contract if it includes a client signature. This indicates that the customer has signed off on your estimate (if you created one using our contractor estimate template) and is ready for you to proceed with the job. It also means that you agree to complete the contracting services listed in the work order.

(Need more details? Find out if quotes are legally binding.)

Some contractors do use a work order as an invoice for customers. However, work orders and invoices are two different things:

• A work order describes a contract project that has been ordered and still needs to be completed
• An invoice requests payment for contractor services that have already been completed

You can use a contractor work order as an invoice as long as it contains the right information. An invoice should include a detailed service list, the date of service, amount due, payment terms and methods, and other important details. Or, to keep your records tidy, you can simply use our free contractor invoice generator.

Jobber’s job management software makes it easy for contractors to receive a work request and quickly meet customers’ needs. No more managing jobs with MS Word, Excel, Google Docs, or Google Sheets—just create a job, assign it to your team, and access all of your job information with the click of a button.

Here’s what you can do with contractor business software like Jobber:

• Easily schedule teams and reschedule jobs as needed using a drag-and-drop calendar
• Optimize service routes and check employees’ progress with GPS tracking
• Stay on top of payroll and reimbursement by letting employees track time and expenses
• Accept online bookings from new and existing customers through your website
• Capture every important detail on the job site with job forms and checklists
• Save time on admin work, both in the office and on the job site with our field service mobile app
• Create professional estimates, work orders, and invoices with your logo and branding
• Communicate with clients using email and SMS
• Convert job details into customer-friendly invoices
• Automatically follow up with customers on overdue payments
• Get custom automated reports on your jobs, clients, and business finances

Learn more about how Jobber can help you manage your contracting jobs.