Small jobs should be quick money. But margin leaks fast: a supplier run here, 20 minutes waiting for keys, a tube of silicone, a client saying “while you're here…”. If it doesn’t get captured, it doesn’t get billed.

Here’s a straight, field-tested way to stop the leaks. Ten minutes a day. No extra paperwork. And yes—VAT is right: 10% for renovation, 5.5% for energy upgrades, 20% for new build.

What really drains margin on small jobs

• Supplier runs you didn’t plan (fittings, paint shade mismatch)
• Parking, dump runs, tolls, access delays
• Extra consumables: silicone, anchors, protection film, screws
• Micro-delays: waiting for client decisions, gate codes, elevator bookings
• “Can you just…” extras that become full tasks

Real example:

• Plumber swaps a sink in 2.5 h, but spends 25 min driving to buy a siphon, 30 min waiting for keys, 1 tube of silicone. That’s 1.25 h lost and €7 materials—often unbilled.

The 10-minute capture that saves your day

Do this before you leave the site or while you’re in the van.

1. Log time blocks

• Work time, waiting time, and travel/unplanned runs.
• Split by job so it lands on the right invoice.

2. Add small materials straight away

• Consumables, small fittings, protection—match VAT to the main service.

3. Note decisions and client asks

• “While you’re here” items = separate lines. No line, no work.

4. Snap 2–3 photos for proof

• Before/after, the extra part installed, or the full bin after dump run.

5. Convert to invoice/quote lines

• One tap turns notes into billable lines with the correct rate/TVA.

Quick checklist you can save in your phone:

Daily capture (10 minutes):
- Time: work __:__, waiting __:__, extra run __:__
- Extras: [item] x [qty], [consumable]
- Decisions: [client agreed], [message sent]
- Proof: [2 photos]
- Next step: [line created], [approval requested]

• Use your voice. Speak it once, get it on the quote/invoice with proper VAT.
• Ancillary costs linked to a reduced‑rate job generally follow the same VAT rate. Keep it consistent with the main service.

Try turning today’s site notes into clean lines with Donizo. Speak a note, pick 10% / 5.5% / 20%, and it’s ready to send. No double entry.

Quick pricing + VAT examples that just work

• Renovation tap swap with extra trip

  • Labor: 2.5 h x €55 = €137.50 (TVA 10%)
  • Extra run (unplanned supply trip): 0.6 h x €55 = €33.00 (TVA 10%)
  • Silicone + fittings: €9.00 (TVA 10%)

• Energy improvement (insulation patch)

  • Labor: 3 h x €55 = €165.00 (TVA 5.5%)
  • Consumables: €12.00 (TVA 5.5%)

• New partition (new build area)

  • Labor + materials at standard rate (TVA 20%)

Rule of thumb: if the extra is directly tied to the job, keep its VAT consistent with the main service rate (10% renovation, 5.5% energy improvement, 20% new build).

Get approvals without drama

Don’t argue. Confirm in writing, fast.

Use this script:

Hi [Name], quick note from site:
- Extra requested: [Install flush plate + new flexi hoses]
- Price: €85 ex. VAT (TVA 10%)
- Impact: +45 minutes today
Reply “OK” to go ahead. I’ll add it as a separate line.

• If they say “OK” by SMS or email, that’s enough to proceed.
• If they hesitate, park it. Don’t work without a line and a yes.

Inside Donizo, turn the note into a line item and send a simple approval request. Their “OK” lands right next to the job so you can bill later with zero hunting.

Bill waiting time without arguments

Waiting is work if it’s caused by access, decisions, or site constraints.

• Start a timer when you’re blocked.
• At 15 minutes, text the client:

Blocked on site since [HH:MM] (gate/decision/materials). I’m keeping time. 
We can reschedule, or I bill the waiting at the standard rate.

• Cap it reasonably (e.g., max 1 h) to stay fair.
• Add the time under the same VAT as the job if it’s tied to that service.

Hidden time quick calc:

- Extra runs: 2 x 25 min = 50 min
- Waiting on site: 30 min
- Dump run: 40 min
Total hidden time: 120 min (2.0 h)
Billable at €55/h = €110 excl. VAT

With Donizo, you can log these minutes by voice and push them straight onto the invoice. No more “I’ll remember later”. Later never comes.

A simple weekly check before you head home

On Monday coffee or Friday wrap‑up:

• Open your pipeline
  • Quotes sent vs. accepted this week
  • Jobs “in progress” with uninvoiced extras
• Open invoices
  • Who owes what, how long overdue
  • Send one friendly reminder

Reminder template:

Hello [Name], quick reminder for invoice #[XXX], due [date]. 
Amount due: €[amount] incl. VAT. 
Can you confirm payment today? Thanks.

Donizo shows overdue balances at a glance and lets you nudge late payers without retyping. Correct TVA per line is already set, so nothing breaks at tax time.

Tools that make this easy

• Voice to quote: speak it, Donizo writes it
• Professional proposals: send, track opens, follow up
• Invoices with correct French VAT (20%, 10%, 5.5%)
• Payment tracking: see who still owes what
• Project status: know exactly where each job stands
• Centralized notes + client messages: the paper trail you need if anything turns sour

Bottom line

You’re not overcharging—you’re charging for real work. Capture what happens on site, turn it into lines the same day, and get approvals in writing. Do that, and even the tiny jobs pay like they should.

Start today with Donizo. One place for quotes, approvals, invoices, and payments—so you work more and worry less.