I want to invoice a client for more work - do I cancel the previous invoice or issue an additional one?

[thussain]

A client wasn't sure whether he needed me so I did some initial research and charged for my hours.
1 week on (& 1st invoice still outstanding) he decided to instruct me so I am now in a position to invoice for the job (absorbing the cost of the prior research)

So, do I
1) issue a new invoice for the job fee less the prior research so he has 2 separate invoices to pay?
2) cancel the old invoice (how?) and issue a new invoice for the total fee?

I'm not worried about losing a week on the payment terms.

I hope this makes sense!

[ChuckFickens]

I'd say 2 invoices.

They have likely entered the first one on their system already and would have to cancel it, also assuming your payment terms are, say 30 days then you'd have to wait longer for payment for the initial job.

[bednobs]

i would send a separate invoice for the other part of the job clearly stating on it what dates the work was for

[thussain]

Gosh - I love AB. Usually I ask my husband accounting type questions but this is so much quicker! I'm sending the invoice to an individual so I don't have to worry about his system but I'll follow advice & send him a 2nd invoice and include a deduction for the 1st invoice so the total of the 2 invoices is the total job fee.
Many thanks both of you.

[Skyline D]

It really doesn't matter. You can do either, they are equally valid. Issue a credit note to cancel the first one and then issue a new invoice for the total or just do a supplementary invoice for the difference.

I find it hard to believe the individual in question really bases his payments on the exact date the invoice was received but in the unlikely event that he does then obviously leaving the first one intact will gain you a week on the cashflow front for that element of the total.

Frankly I'd just do the additional balancing invoice because it's less work than cancelling one and doing another.

[chrissa1]

Easy..First decide your strategy of future relationship with the client, also know their culture, to a lot of my clients , including european export, it wouldn't make any difference..yes (a ) raise a credit note, make a new invoice, and send BOTH with a friendly letter. Your question implies you don't have a relationship, that is better than ' Arms Lenght '..and the relationship ( unless this is a one off opportunity ) remains all about the future, and using your inter personal skills..the latter really is what it's all about.UK ltd, does not prevent you from raising a second invoice, plus a statement to account, listing both invoices, and terms of trading, possibly asterisk against first invoice on the statement, advising this is due for payment,..did you do a credit check, and do you have a policy of Indemnity exposure insurance..getting more difficult to achieve in current business climate.