Service Provider Guides
Invoicing & Payments
A complete guide to managing your financial workflow on the platform. Learn how to generate invoices, submit quotes for larger jobs, and track your payment statuses reliably.
Overview
Social Home streamlines the billing process by connecting your completed work orders directly to invoicing. This eliminates the need to manually cross-reference job sheets with your accounting software.
By utilizing standard rate cards and framework agreements, many invoices can be generated and approved automatically, getting you paid faster and reducing administrative friction.
Prerequisites
Bank Details Added
Your profile must have valid bank details configured in the Payments section.
Completed Work Order
Invoices can only be generated for jobs that have been marked as Complete.
Financial Workflow Guide
Submitting Quotes
For complex jobs or works outside your standard rate card, you can submit a quote directly through the work order. The property manager can approve the quote with one click, giving you the green light to proceed.
Generating Invoices
Once a job is marked as complete, you can click 'Generate Invoice'. If the work falls under a framework agreement, the invoice is pre-filled with the agreed rates. Otherwise, you can input your labour and materials costs manually.
Note: You can also upload your own PDF invoice generated from software like Xero or QuickBooks if you prefer.
Tracking Payouts
Navigate to the 'Invoices' tab to view the status of all your submitted invoices (e.g., Pending Approval, Approved, Processing, Paid). You will see an expected payout date for approved invoices.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Invoice Rejected
Problem: An invoice you submitted was rejected by the property manager.
Solution: Check the comments on the rejected invoice. Usually, this happens if the charged amount differs from the agreed rate card or if materials receipts were not attached. Correct the invoice and resubmit.
Delayed Payments
Problem: An invoice is marked as 'Approved' but the payout date has passed.
Solution: Ensure your bank details are correct in your Settings. If the details are correct, the delay may be due to bank processing times. Contact the housing provider directly through the platform's messaging system.
Financial Security
Encrypted Banking Data
- Bank details are encrypted using bank-grade security protocols
- We do not store full account numbers in plain text
- Only authorised finance personnel can view payout details
Fraud Prevention
- Invoices are cryptographically tied to verified work orders
- Changes to bank details require two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Automated checks prevent duplicate invoice submissions
Benefits of Platform Billing
Better Cash Flow
Faster Approvals
Property managers can approve invoices with one click, drastically reducing payment cycles.
Visibility
Know exactly when you will be paid with accurate expected payout dates.
Reduced Admin
Auto-Generation
Generate invoices instantly using data already captured during the work order execution.
No Chasing
Automated reminders are sent to property managers for overdue approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link my own accounting software?
Yes, Social Home integrates with major accounting platforms like Xero and QuickBooks. Approved invoices and payouts can sync automatically to your ledger.
What is a Framework Agreement?
A framework agreement is a pre-negotiated set of rates for common jobs (e.g., Boiler Service: £80). If a job falls under this agreement, the invoice is generated and approved almost instantly.
Are there transaction fees?
Social Home does not charge transaction fees to service providers for standard bank transfers (BACS). Your payout is exactly what is listed on the approved invoice.