Create - $2
Home / How it works
Step by step guide

How to use
TRADIENOTES.

From job notes to contractor invoice in 60 seconds. Here's exactly how it works — what to write, what to snap, and what to expect at each step. $2 per export. No subscription.

60 seconds Sales Tax ready No signup Pay only if happy
Try it now $2 Read the steps
The five steps

From scribble to PDF.

Five steps, one minute. Each one is reversible — nothing is locked in until you tap pay.

1
Write your job notes

Before you snap or speak, make sure your notes include the five things the AI needs to build a complete invoice:

  • ✓
    Client name "John Smith" or "Houston Builds LLC" — not "Johnny's place"
  • ✓
    Job address "14 Main St, Houston TX" — city is enough
  • ✓
    What you did — plain English "Replaced hot water cylinder" — not "HWC R&R"
  • ✓
    Hours worked "3 hours" or "half day" — not just "3h"
  • ✓
    Materials with individual costs "Copper pipe $45, fittings $12" — list each separately
Common mistakes to avoid
  • ✗ "Johnno's place" → write the full name and address
  • ✗ "HWC R&R 3h $450" → "Replaced hot water cylinder, 3 hours, cylinder $450"
  • ✗ No hours written → always include hours so labour calculates correctly
  • ✗ One lump sum → list each material separately with its cost
2
Snap a photo or use voice

Choose Photo or Voice mode at the top of the screen. Both produce the same result — pick whichever suits the situation.

Photo
  • Take a photo of your written notes
  • Works with any handwriting
  • Best when notes are already written
  • Use Take Photo or Gallery
Voice
  • Tap mic and speak job details
  • Good for driving between jobs
  • Works when hands are dirty
  • Speak slowly and clearly
Photo tips — get a clean result
✓ Do this
Good light, flat surface, notes fill the frame, dark pen on white paper
✗ Avoid this
Shadows across writing, blurry, too far away, pencil on grey paper
✓ Do this
Shoot straight down, notes flat, all text visible in one frame
✗ Avoid this
Angled shot, crumpled paper, notes cut off at the edge
Voice tips — speak in this order
  1. Client — "Job for John Smith"
  2. Address — "at 14 Main St Houston Texas"
  3. What you did — "replaced hot water cylinder"
  4. Hours — "3 hours labour"
  5. Materials — "cylinder $450, fittings $35"
3
Review and edit

After the AI processes your notes you see a review screen with everything extracted — client name, address, job description, labour items and hours, and materials with costs.

Check everything before moving on. You can edit any field, add extra lines, remove anything incorrect, and adjust hours and costs.

You only pay after reviewing

The watermarked preview is free. Nothing is charged until you click Pay. If the extraction is wrong, fix it here — don't pay for a result you're not happy with.

4
Enter your business details

You only need to do this once . Your details are saved in your browser and loaded automatically next time.

  • ✓
    Business or your name Appears on every invoice you create
  • ✓
    Your email address PDF is sent here after payment
  • ✓
    EIN Optional — leave blank if no EIN
  • ✓
    Hourly rate or flat fee Used to calculate your labour total automatically
  • ✓
    Customer email Optional — PDF sent to your customer too
5
Preview, pay and done

A blurred watermarked preview of your invoice or quote is shown. Check the layout, totals, and details look right.

Happy with it? Pay $2 USD via Stripe — secure card payment, takes 10 seconds. Your PDF is generated and emailed to you and your customer instantly.

Have a promo code?

Tap "Have a promo code?" below the Pay button, enter your code, and get your PDF for free.

Quote or invoice

Which do you need?

Select Invoice or Quote using the toggle at the top of the create screen before you snap your notes.

Invoice

Job is complete — request payment

  • Job is finished
  • Asking the customer to pay
  • Sales Tax ready
  • Includes your payment details
Quote

Job not started — giving a price

  • Job is not yet started
  • Giving the customer a price
  • Valid for 30 days
  • Convert to invoice — free
FREE CONVERSION Customer accepts your quote? Log into your dashboard, find the quote, click Convert . A contractor invoice is generated and emailed for free.
Account · optional

Do you need an account?

No — you can create invoices and quotes without registering. Just snap, pay $2, and get your PDF. A free account is worth creating if you want extras:

Common questions

Everything you'd ask.

What should I write in my job notes?
Include five things: client name, job address, what you did in plain English, hours worked, and materials with costs listed separately. Avoid trade abbreviations and codes — write it out so the AI can read it clearly.
What is the difference between Photo and Voice?
Photo lets you snap a picture of your handwritten notes. Voice lets you speak your job details aloud — useful when driving or your hands are dirty. Both produce the same result.
Can I edit the details after the AI extracts them?
Yes — always. After the AI extracts your notes you see a full review screen where you can edit everything. You only pay after reviewing. If the result is wrong, fix it before paying.
When should I use a quote instead of an invoice?
Use a quote before the job starts to give your customer a price. Use an invoice after the job is done to request payment. If you create a quote and the customer accepts, convert it to a free contractor invoice from your dashboard.
How do I get the best photo?
Good lighting, flat surface, notes filling most of the frame. Avoid shadows across the writing. Write on white or light paper with a dark pen. Shoot straight down, not at an angle.
How do I convert a quote to an invoice?
Log into your dashboard, go to the Quotes tab, find the quote, and click Convert. The invoice is generated and emailed to you and your customer for free — no extra charge.
Related guides

More reading.

Guide
Invoice Guide US invoicing standards explained
Trade guide
For Electricians AI invoicing for US electricians
Trade guide
For Plumbers AI invoicing for US plumbers
Trade guide
For Builders AI invoicing for US builders
Ready to give it a go?

Your next invoice
is 60 seconds away.

No account. No subscription. $2 when you're happy with the result.

PER EXPORT
$ 2
USD · excl. Sales Tax
Create now
NO SIGNUP · NO SUB
60s · $2 · No signup
Create — $2