Add Descriptions

Why Work Descriptions Matter for Client Invoicing

For tradesmen and contractors who invoice clients, detailed work descriptions are essential. They help clients understand exactly what work was performed, justify your billing, and create professional, transparent invoices. When clients can see clear descriptions like "Installed new kitchen faucet and connected plumbing" or "Replaced electrical panel and upgraded circuit breakers," they're more likely to approve invoices quickly and without questions.

Timewire makes it easy to add descriptions to any time entry. For paid plans, these descriptions are automatically included in invoices, saving you the time of manually adding them later. Even on the free plan, adding descriptions helps you maintain detailed records of work performed at each job site.

Step-by-Step: Adding Descriptions to Time Entries

1. Open Your Timesheet: Navigate to the Timesheet tab in the Timewire app. You'll see all your time entries listed chronologically, showing location, time range, and duration.
2. Tap on a Time Entry: Find the time entry you want to add a description to and tap on it. The entry will expand, revealing an input field for adding or editing the work description.
3. Enter Your Description: Type a clear, concise description of the work performed. Be specific but concise—aim for 1-2 sentences that clearly explain what was done. Examples:
   • "Installed new bathroom vanity and connected plumbing fixtures"
   • "Replaced damaged roof tiles and sealed around chimney"
   • "Upgraded electrical panel and installed new circuit breakers"
4. Save the Description: Tap outside the input field or press Done on your keyboard. The description is automatically saved and will appear on your invoice when you export timesheets.
5. Edit Anytime: You can edit descriptions at any time by tapping on the time entry again. This is useful if you need to add more detail or correct a description before sending an invoice.

Writing Effective Work Descriptions

Good work descriptions are clear, specific, and professional. They help clients understand the value of your work and justify your billing. Here are some best practices:

Examples of Good Work Descriptions by Trade

How Descriptions Appear in Invoices

When you export timesheets to create invoices, work descriptions are automatically included. Each time entry shows:

• Location name (e.g., "123 Main St - Kitchen Renovation")
• Date and time range
• Duration (hours worked)
• Hourly or day rate
• Work description (what you added)
• Total amount for that entry

This creates professional, detailed invoices that clearly show clients what work was performed, when it was done, and how much it costs. For tradesmen who charge day rates or hourly rates, these descriptions help justify your billing and reduce client questions.

Adding Descriptions for Multiple Time Entries

If you worked at the same location for multiple time periods (e.g., morning and afternoon), you can add different descriptions to each entry. This is useful when you performed different types of work throughout the day. For example:

This level of detail helps clients understand the progression of work and see exactly how their day rate or hourly charges were applied.

Common Questions About Work Descriptions

Next Steps: Scan Material Invoices

Once you're adding work descriptions to your time entries, you can further streamline your invoicing by scanning material invoices and receipts. Timewire's AI-powered scanning extracts line items from supplier receipts, making it easy to add material costs to client invoices.

For tradesmen and contractors who bill clients for both labor and materials, combining time tracking with material cost tracking creates complete, professional invoices that cover all project expenses.