Sub Invoices in Skoppe help general contractors manage subcontractor billing directly inside the project budget. Instead of tracking invoices in one place, approvals somewhere else, and payments in a spreadsheet, Skoppe keeps the full invoice workflow connected to the project, trade, subcontractor, scope items, and budget totals.

When to use Sub Invoices

Common invoice workflows

Enter a subcontractor invoice under the correct project trade.

Save an invoice as a draft before it is ready for approval.

Submit an invoice for review before payment.

Approve an invoice when the billed work and amount are confirmed.

Allocate an invoice to specific scope items when it only covers part of the trade.

Track approved balances, payments, outstanding amounts, and GC commission.

How to enter a sub invoice

  1. Open the project budget or the specific trade budget.
  2. Click Enter Invoice.
  3. Confirm the trade and subcontractor context.
  4. Enter the invoice number, invoice date, due date, amount, retainage, notes, and attachment if needed.
  5. Choose Entire Trade if the invoice applies to the full trade.
  6. Choose Specific Scope Items if the invoice only covers certain scope items.
  7. Select the scope items and adjust the allocated amounts inline.
  8. Save as draft, submit for approval, or approve the invoice immediately.

How invoice approval works

An invoice can be saved as a draft, submitted for approval, approved, partially paid, paid, rejected, or voided. Approved invoices with an open balance appear in Ready to Pay, so the GC can focus on invoices that are cleared for payment.

How payments update the invoice

When a payment is recorded against an approved invoice, Skoppe updates the paid amount, remaining balance, and invoice status. If the full balance is paid, the invoice becomes paid. If only part of the balance is paid, the invoice remains partially paid.

How GC commission is tracked

Skoppe tracks GC commission from payments, not just from invoice amounts. This keeps commission connected to actual payment activity. A trade can use the project default commission rate, a custom rate, or no commission.

Best practices

  • Enter invoices under the correct trade and subcontractor.
  • Use Specific Scope Items when the invoice only covers part of the awarded work.
  • Review the invoice summary before approving an invoice.
  • Do not approve an invoice until the billed work and amount are confirmed.
  • Use Ready to Pay to focus only on approved invoices with open balances.
  • Record payments against the invoice so the balance and paid totals stay accurate.
  • Review GC commission after payments are recorded.

What Skoppe improves

  • Invoices stay connected to the correct project, trade, subcontractor, and scope items.
  • The GC can see invoiced, approved, paid, and outstanding totals in one place.
  • Approved invoices are separated from drafts and submitted invoices.
  • Payments update invoice balances instead of being tracked separately.
  • Commission is calculated from real payment activity instead of manual notes.

FAQ

Can I enter an invoice from the main project budget?

Yes. You can enter an invoice from the main project budget. If the trade and subcontractor are not already selected, choose the correct trade and sub before saving.

Can I enter an invoice from a specific trade budget?

Yes. When you enter an invoice from a trade budget, Skoppe starts with that trade context already selected.

What is the difference between Entire Trade and Specific Scope Items?

Entire Trade applies the invoice to the full trade. Specific Scope Items lets you select the exact scope items the invoice covers and allocate amounts to each item.

Can I save an invoice before approving it?

Yes. You can save an invoice as a draft or submit it for approval before it becomes ready to pay.

When does an invoice appear in Ready to Pay?

An invoice appears in Ready to Pay after it is approved and still has an open balance.

Does paying an invoice update the project budget?

Yes. Payments update the invoice balance, paid totals, outstanding amount, and related budget progress.

How does Skoppe calculate GC commission?

Skoppe calculates GC commission from payments, not simply from invoice amounts. This keeps commission tied to actual payment activity.