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Accounting and invoicing for roofers

New roofing, repairs after the storm, roof windows and waterproofing: roofers have jobs that depend on the weather and advance high material costs. Saldiqo issues stage invoices on material orders, bills scaffolding and disposal as separate lines and reminds customers who should pay.

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What comes up for roofers

Advancing material costs

Tiles, insulation and membranes run into the thousands before the first move is made. Without a stage invoice the firm lends money to itself.

Weather and dates

Jobs shift and emergency repairs come in between. Invoices have to be created between two roofs, too.

Insurance cases

After storm or hail billing runs through insurers, with measurements, photos and deadlines.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Stage invoice on material orderQuote, stage invoice on ordering, final invoice after acceptance.
  • Scaffolding and disposal as linesScaffolding, skips and disposal as separate lines or re-invoiced receipts.
  • Receipts from the builders’ merchantPhotograph the receipt and assign it to a site.
  • Reverse charge for constructionFor jobs for businesses that provide construction services themselves you choose the tax type reverse charge.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • New roofing, pitched roof, 140 square metres
  • Roof window installation, each
  • Scaffolding re-invoiced as per receipt
  • Emergency repair after storm damage, hours
  • Disposal of old material, skip
  • Stage invoice 40 % on material order

Tax and invoicing in Germany

What applies to invoices in Germany, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Standard rate 19 %, reduced rate 7 %. Which rate applies to which supply depends on the case. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
Small business scheme
Under section 19 of the VAT Act (UStG) you charge no VAT as long as your turnover was at most €25,000 last year and is at most €100,000 this year. Saldiqo shows how much room is left and adds the note to your invoice.
Mandatory details
Under section 14 UStG every invoice shows a tax number or VAT ID, a consecutive invoice number, the date of supply and the recipient. Saldiqo checks this before you finalise an invoice. Small invoices up to €250 gross need fewer details.
E-invoicing
All businesses have had to be able to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025. Issuing becomes mandatory from 2027 if last year’s turnover was above €800,000, and from 2028 for domestic business-to-business sales in all cases. Small businesses under section 19 are exempt. Saldiqo creates XRechnung and ZUGFeRD.
VAT return
The advance VAT return goes to the tax office through ELSTER, by the 10th after the end of the period. You file monthly if last year’s VAT was above €9,000 and quarterly above €2,000. Saldiqo provides the figures; you file in ELSTER or through your tax adviser.
Record keeping
Keep invoices and accounting vouchers for 8 years, books for 10 years and business letters for 6 years. The period starts at the end of the calendar year.
Late payment
In the second half of 2026 the default interest rate is 10.52 % between businesses and 6.52 % towards consumers, plus a €40 flat fee that applies to businesses only. Saldiqo has reminder levels with deadlines and fees.
Getting paid
Every invoice carries a GiroCode (EPC QR) that customers scan with their banking app. You match payments by uploading the bank statement as CSV or CAMT.
Tax adviser
Cash-basis profit calculation (EÜR), a DATEV export and a separate login for your tax adviser are built in.

Frequently asked questions

How do I secure pre-financing of material?

With a stage invoice on the material order that you issue straight from the quote.

Does the reverse charge apply to roofers?

Construction services to businesses that provide construction services themselves are often subject to the reverse charge. You clear that case by case with your tax adviser.

Do roofers in Germany have to charge VAT?

Yes, unless they qualify as small businesses under section 19 UStG. That applies when turnover was at most €25,000 last year and is at most €100,000 this year. The limit is hard: VAT is due on the sale that takes you over it.

Do roofers in Germany need e-invoicing?

Every business must be able to receive e-invoices since 2025. Issuing is mandatory from 2027 if last year’s turnover was above €800,000, and from 2028 for domestic business-to-business sales in general. Small businesses, invoices up to €250 and tickets are exempt. Private customers still get a normal invoice.

How long do roofers have to keep invoices?

Invoices and vouchers for 8 years, books for 10 years and business letters for 6 years, counted from the end of the calendar year. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records and to document your procedures stays with you.

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Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.