Free work order software: can you run invoicing with 3 field techs?

Install a free mobile form app on the techs' phones. Add a signature box and a dropdown for parts. The second the form is submitted, a PDF hits the office and they can invoice immediately.

We set up something similar with 2 techs. Back when we used paper forms, our billing turnaround was 16 days; once we switched to forms, we started billing same-day. We cut our cash collection cycle by 12 days at zero software cost.

Last winter a tech's paper slip got soaked in his pocket and we couldn't prove a 450 EUR compressor replacement to the client. That was the day we dumped paper for digital forms haven't had an issue since.

edit: I wrote something wrong above, sorry about that.

You won't get cell reception in basements or walk-in freezers. Whatever free tool you pick, it absolutely must work offline and sync automatically once back online.

Do your techs carry standard spare parts stock in their vans or do they grab materials from the warehouse for each job? If you need inventory tracking too, basic forms might fall short.

we generate pdfs with free form tools and have them sent to the tech whatsapp group, then our office bookkeeper uses that to bill, super practical tbh highly recommend.

When rolling this out, give your techs 3 strict rules: 1) An unsigned form won't count as completed, 2) Gas usage must be logged to the exact gram, 3) The ticket can't be closed without a photo of the old part.

Bottom line: collecting job sheets and mobile signatures can be done for free, but auto-invoicing from work orders requires a budget. Having your office colleague key it in manually is the most sensible workaround for now.

The opposite happened to me, that's why I'm writing. Ask who prepared the quote and who will actually do the work.

Don't hesitate to ask; those who don't ask always pay more. If I were you, I'd go this route.

Let me share my experience. The cheapest quote is usually the least thought-out one.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I completely agree. Taking notes for two weeks yields better results than a six-month estimate.

Everything goes well for the first three months; problems arise in the fourth. If I were you, I'd go this route.

I completely agree. The biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say.

That's all, sorry if I went on too long.

Here's how it went for us. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

If I were you, I'd go this route.

Don't miss this: The biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say.

Don't hesitate to ask; those who don't ask always pay more. Just leaving this note, it might be useful.

I have an objection here. Just because everyone does it doesn't mean it's right.

Just leaving this note it might be useful.

Good call starting this thread. If you don't write this down from the start, it leads to arguments later.

If I were you, I'd go this route.

Let me summarize the topic, since several different answers were given. Don't hesitate to ask; those who don't ask always pay more.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

I'm in the same situation, that's why I'm asking. If it's your first time, start small; scaling comes later.