Free Cabinet Maker Invoice Template

What is a Cabinet Maker invoice?

A cabinet maker invoice covers work designing, building, and installing bespoke furniture and fitted cabinetry for homes and businesses. Cabinet makers work on kitchen cabinets, built-in wardrobes, bookcases, bathroom vanity units, media walls, office joinery, and specialist furniture. Unlike flat-pack furniture, bespoke cabinet work is commissioned specifically for a space, often involving detailed drawings, material selection, and a lead time of several weeks. Cabinet making invoices must clearly describe the items, dimensions, timber species or board material, and finish so that both parties have a record of the specification. Because bespoke work is made to order, a substantial deposit (50%) is standard before materials are purchased. Hardware (handles, hinges, drawer runners) is an important line item that clients sometimes underestimate.

What to include on a Cabinet Maker invoice

• Item names and dimensions
• Timber species or board material and grade
• Finish specification (paint, lacquer, oil, varnish, colour reference)
• Hardware (handles, hinges, soft-close runners) with quantities
• Installation labour separate from making
• Delivery or transport charges
• Deposit invoice reference
• VAT details if VAT-registered
• Payment terms
• Warranty on workmanship
• Linear-footage breakdown by cabinet type (base / upper / tall) with per-lf rate
• Wood species and door style/profile, plus finish or stain color and hardware spec
• Deposit received / balance due, and progress-payment schedule
• Lead time / fabrication window and quote-validity or material-escalation note

Common cabinet maker invoice line items

Setting your cabinet maker rates

Cabinet makers price runs primarily by the linear foot (custom $500-$1,200/lf, semi-custom $200-$700/lf, stock ~$100-$300/lf installed), with base, upper and tall cabinets rated separately and drawer bases and dovetail boxes carrying per-drawer upcharges. Design work is a flat fee (often credited to the job), while installation and one-off millwork are billed hourly ($40-$80/hr install) or folded into the per-foot number; materials carry a markup and finish/hardware are line-item add-ons.

Payment terms

50% deposit to start and order materials, balance on delivery/installation; larger kitchens use staged progress payments (e.g. deposit / at delivery / on completion). Not net-30 - custom work is deposit-driven, not invoice-after.

Billing pitfalls to avoid

• A 50% deposit is required before any fabrication is scheduled and is used to order material; work is not put on the shop calendar until it clears, so invoices should state the deposit and remaining balance explicitly.
• Custom cabinets are non-returnable and non-refundable once cut: a short cancellation window (commonly ~72 hours) applies, after which the deposit is retained; change orders after the cutlist/shop drawings are approved are billed as extras (design changes often ~$100/hr) and cannot be undone.
• Lumber and plywood prices move between quote and build; without a material-escalation or surcharge clause the maker eats the increase, so long-lead quotes should note price validity and pass-through of material spikes.
• Countertops, appliances and sometimes plumbing/electrical are separate trades: if a countertop is subcontracted it is a pass-through/coordination item, not part of the cabinet price, and template of the counter cannot happen until boxes are set, which callers routinely assume is included.
• Progress-payment structure (e.g. 50% deposit / balance at delivery, or 50% / 40% at delivery / 10% after finishing) must be spelled out; final measure discrepancies or a site that is not ready (walls/floors unfinished) trigger delay and re-measure charges.

Tax notes

Materials are taxable to the shop and marked up; labor taxability varies by state. Where installed cabinets qualify as a capital improvement to real property (e.g. New York with Form ST-124), the installation labor is exempt from sales tax and only materials are taxed, so the invoice should separate material from labor.

This is general guidance, not tax advice. Tax rules vary by country, state, and situation, so confirm with a qualified accountant before relying on it.

How to invoice as a cabinet maker

Invoice 50% deposit on order confirmation, with the balance due on installation. Include a detailed specification list as part of the invoice so the client can confirm the order. For large fitted kitchen projects, an additional interim payment at 25% on cabinet completion before delivery is common. Attach hardware specification sheets for the client's records.