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AI invoicing tools for painters and decorators in the UK
Most decorators are sole traders invoicing homeowners, with some subcontract work for builders. The priority is a cheap, simple setup that takes card payments and chases automatically, plus CIS if you work for builders.
Prices were re-checked on each provider's own page; the date is next to each one. Rules and figures from GOV.UK are linked where they're used.
Simple and cheap
Zoho Books and Tide both have free plans, and FreeAgent is free with some bank accounts. For a sole trader invoicing homeowners, that may be all you need.
Builder work
Painting and decorating is a construction operation for CIS and the reverse charge (GOV.UK). Builders will deduct CIS at 20% if you're registered or 30% if not (GOV.UK).
VAT threshold
Many decorators sit near the £90,000 threshold. Check your rolling 12 months with the VAT threshold checker.
The options, with prices
| Tool | Price and free plan | UK notes and source |
|---|---|---|
| YourTradebase Quotes, jobs, invoices and payment reminders for UK tradespeople, with one flat monthly price. | £29 a month, plus £15 a month for each additional user. Two months free if you pay annually. Prices subject to VAT. 30-day free trial, no card required. No free plan; 30-day free trial, no card required. | UK company, prices in pounds plus VAT. Source, checked 15 October 2026 |
| Zoho Books Accounting software with a free plan for very small businesses and paid UK plans. | Free: £0. Standard: £12 a month (£10 billed annually). Professional: £24 (£20). Premium: £30 (£25). Per organisation. Free plan for sole traders and micro businesses. | UK pricing in pounds. Source, checked 15 October 2026 |
| Tide A business account app with invoicing, expense cards and accounting integrations. | Free plan with no plan fee. Smart: £12.49 a month. Pro: £27.49 a month. Max: £69.99 a month. Essential tools for getting started with no monthly plan fee (transaction limits vary by plan). | UK; Tide is authorised by the FCA as an e-money institution. Source, checked 15 October 2026 |
| FreeAgent UK accounting software for sole traders, partnerships and small companies. | Sole traders: £19 a month. Limited companies: £33 a month or £330 a year. All excl. VAT, with 50% off the first six months when checked. Free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account, or Mettle (conditions apply). Free for eligible NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Mettle customers; otherwise a 30-day free trial. | UK company, pounds. Source, checked 15 October 2026 |
| Xero Cloud accounting for invoices, bank feeds, VAT and payroll, with AI-assisted features. | Ignite: £18 a month. Grow: £39. Comprehensive: £55. Ultimate: £70 (all excl. VAT). When checked, the first 6 months were 90% off. Payroll £1.50 per person. No free plan; a free trial and introductory discounts are offered. | UK pricing in pounds; Making Tax Digital compatible. Source, checked 15 October 2026 |
What to check before you choose
- Card payment links on invoices.
- Automatic reminders.
- CIS if you subcontract.
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax if it applies to you.
A prompt to start with
Paste this into ChatGPT or Claude, filling in the brackets:
Write a friendly reminder for invoice [number], £[amount], for decorating at [address], due on [date]. Include the payment link and bank details. Under 80 words, British English.
Free tools
Price a job with the quote and VAT calculator (20%, 5%, 0% and reverse charge), or work out your day rate. Comparing job management apps? Read Tradify vs Jobber.
Questions
Free options?
Zoho Books (free plan), Tide (free plan) and FreeAgent (free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle). Checked 15 October 2026.
Do I need VAT?
Only above £90,000 taxable turnover in a rolling 12 months, unless you register voluntarily.
Are these prices in pounds?
Not all. Where a provider only publishes US dollar prices we show dollars, so check the price in pounds at checkout.
Do you get paid if I sign up?
Some links may become affiliate links, and we'll label them when they do. It doesn't change what we list. See how we make money.
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