Last Tuesday, I was under a house in Apollo Beach, fixing a leaky pipe that looked like it'd been installed by a chimpanzee. Seriously, the guy used more Teflon tape than pipe. Anyway, I finish up, and the homeowner asks for an invoice. Ever tried typing a 500-word estimate with mud on your fingers and sweat dripping in your eyes? It's not fun.
I used to carry around a stack of those triplicate carbon copy books. Half the time, they were either soaking wet, ripped, or I'd left them at the shop. Then I tried typing everything into Invoice2go on my phone. Talk about a nightmare. My thumbs aren't exactly made for tiny touchscreens after a day wrestling with a pipe wrench.
Honestly? I almost went back to carrier pigeons. There's gotta be a better way, right?
The Problem: Invoicing Sucks (Especially for Plumbers)
Here's the thing: We're plumbers. We fix things. We unclog things. We don't want to spend our Friday nights hunched over a computer, wrestling with invoices. And those "enterprise" solutions? They're usually overkill. They want you to manage every aspect of your business, from marketing to scheduling. I just wanna get paid for fixing that toilet!
- Lost Revenue: How many times have you forgotten to bill for that extra fitting or the hour you spent snaking a drain? I get it. It happens.
- Delayed Payments: The longer you wait to invoice, the longer you wait to get paid. Simple math.
- Admin Overload: I didn't sign up to be an accountant. I signed up to be a Plumber.
- Unprofessional Look: Let's face it, a handwritten bill on a scrap of paper doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
Sound familiar? I get it. I've been there. I wasted money on Jobber and Housecall Pro thinking it will solve the problem. The real question is: what actually works?
The Solution: Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)
Look, I'm not gonna lie. I was skeptical about AI at first. I thought it was all hype. But then I found VoiceInvoice. And it changed the game for me.
Here's how it works: You literally just talk to your phone. Say what you did, how long it took, and any materials you used. The AI turns it into a professional-looking invoice. You can even snap a photo of their business card to create a client profile. I was surprised how easy it was to create a client profile by just snapping a picture of a business card.
Pro Tip: Use a Bluetooth headset. Makes it easier to invoice while you're driving (safely, of course). No more pulling over to the side of the road to type out an invoice.
And here's the kicker: It integrates with Stripe and Venmo, so you can get paid instantly via a digital link. No more waiting for checks in the mail!
A Fair Look at the Alternatives
I'm not saying VoiceInvoice is the only option. There are other apps out there. But here's my honest take:
- Joist: Decent, but a little clunky. Felt like it was designed for someone sitting in an office, not crawling under a house.
- Invoice2go: Too much typing. My thumbs can't handle it.
- QuickBooks: Overkill for most small plumbing businesses. It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
The advantage of VoiceInvoice is the voice part. It is the future. This eliminates the need for typing on a tiny screen and it can be done in dirty trucks.
Pro Tip: Don't be afraid to try the free trials. See what works best for you. I wasted $200 on Jobber before finding VoiceInvoice.
The Verdict: My Recommendation
In my 18 years as a Plumber, I've tried a lot of things. Some worked, some didn't. But VoiceInvoice? It's a game-changer. It's simple, it's fast, and it actually saves me money. With their basic plan, you can generate 5 invoices per month for free. This is great for part-time Plumbers and Handymen!
Personally, I think it's the best invoice app for plumbers out there. It's designed for guys like us, who work with our hands and don't have time for complicated software.
Stop typing invoices. Start speaking them. Electricians, Landscapers, listen up! This can help your business too!
Start your 7-day free trial and reclaim your weekends.
— Dave Patterson, Plumber, Tampa, FL. Former union plumber turned small business owner. Switched from clipboard invoicing to voice in 2024 and never looked back.