# How contractors can track payments per job

> A practical system for keeping deposits, progress payments, and final balances organized by job.

- **URL:** https://trymorgan.ai/blog/how-contractors-can-track-job-payments
- **Published:** 2026-05-12
- **Category:** Payments

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## The problem with multi-stage payments

Contractors often deal with a deposit before work starts, sometimes a progress payment midway, and a final balance on completion. Keeping track of what's been paid on each job, and what's still outstanding, is one of the most common headaches in the trade.

## Build a record for each job

The core habit is: every job gets its own record the moment you agree on the work. That record includes the customer name, total agreed price, deposit amount, and final balance.

When a payment comes in, you mark it against that job. You can see at a glance what's been collected and what's outstanding.

## Use invoices to anchor each payment

For a two-payment job:
1. Send a deposit invoice (e.g. 30% of the total) before starting
2. Send a final invoice on completion for the remaining balance

Each invoice gets paid and marked, your records stay clean.

## Collecting deposits on-site

With Tap to Pay, you can collect the deposit right when you arrive. Your customer taps their card, you get the confirmation, and the deposit is on record.

No more "I'll e-transfer it later" that turns into a week of waiting.

## End of week review

Set aside 15 minutes at the end of each week to review your open jobs. Which ones have outstanding payments? Send a reminder to any overdue invoices. This keeps your books current and your cash flow predictable.