AV Installation Invoice Template (Home Theater + Free PDF)
AV installation invoice template for home theater and smart home jobs: equipment, wiring, TV mounting, programming lines, deposits and a worked example invoice.
Quick answer: An AV installation invoice bills a customer for audio-visual work such as home theaters, TV mounting, multi-room audio, projector installs and smart home control systems. It lists equipment with model numbers, mounts and cabling, labor for installation and wiring, programming and calibration, trip charges, deposits paid and the balance due, plus warranty terms.
AV jobs mix expensive hardware, skilled labor and software work, which makes them easy to underbill and easy for customers to question. An itemized invoice protects your margin on equipment, shows the value of programming time and gives the customer a record for warranty claims. This guide covers what to include on a home theater invoice, how integrators usually price their work, a full worked example and common mistakes. You can create the invoice in our free invoice generator and send it as a PDF.
What is an AV installation invoice?
An AV installation invoice, also called a home theater invoice or audio video integration invoice, is the bill an AV integrator, TV mounting company, custom installer or low voltage contractor sends after installing or servicing audio, video and control systems. Typical jobs include:
- TV wall mounting with concealed wiring
- Home theater and media rooms: projector, screen, AV receiver, surround speakers, subwoofers
- Multi-room or whole home audio with in-ceiling or outdoor speakers
- Smart home and control systems: lighting keypads, motorized shades, universal remotes, voice control
- Conference rooms and small business AV: displays, video conferencing, sound systems
- Home networks that support streaming: Wi-Fi access points, network switches, structured wiring
Because AV work overlaps with electrical and IT services, compare the electrician invoice template for line voltage work and the IT managed services invoice template for ongoing network support.
What should a home theater or AV invoice include?
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Business details | Company name, address, phone, low voltage or contractor license number where required |
| Invoice details | Invoice number, date, due date, proposal or project number |
| Customer and site | Name, billing address, installation address, rooms or zones covered |
| Equipment | Brand, model, quantity, unit price, serial numbers for major items |
| Mounts and materials | Wall mounts, in-wall boxes, cables, wall plates, consumables |
| Labor | Installation by task or hours: mounting, pre-wire, trim-out, rack build |
| Programming and calibration | Control system programming, remote setup, audio calibration, video calibration |
| Fees | Trip charge, disposal of packaging or old equipment, after hours work |
| Payments and terms | Deposit, progress payments, balance due, warranty, payment methods |
Serial numbers for major equipment help the customer register warranties and file insurance claims, and they help you identify units if a product is recalled or fails.
How do AV installers price their work?
There is no standard national price list for AV installation; rates depend on market, complexity and the systems you sell. Most companies use a mix of the methods below. Prices in this guide are illustrative, not survey data.
| Work | Common pricing method | What to show on the invoice |
|---|---|---|
| TV mounting | Flat rate by TV size and wall type | Mount model, wall type (drywall, brick, over fireplace), wire concealment |
| Speaker installation | Per speaker or per pair | In-wall or in-ceiling, cable runs, cut-ins |
| Pre-wire (new construction) | Per drop or per run | Cable type and number of runs per room |
| Equipment | Unit price (your sell price) | Brand, model, quantity |
| Rack build and trim-out | Hourly or fixed per system | Rack, power conditioning, cable management |
| Programming | Hourly or fixed per room or system | Platform, scenes, devices integrated |
| Calibration | Fixed per display or room | Audio room correction, video calibration |
| Service calls | Trip charge plus hourly | Time on site, issue and fix |
| Support plans | Monthly or annual fee | Remote support, response times, visits included |
Equipment margin matters. If you supply hardware, your sell price covers sourcing, handling, returns and the risk of dead-on-arrival units. Our guide to materials markup explains common approaches. If the customer supplies their own TV or speakers, bill labor only and note "customer-supplied equipment" so warranty responsibility is clear.
Wiring, mounting and licensing details to include
Customers rarely see the wiring once the walls are closed, so the invoice is their record of what is behind them. Note cable types (for example in-wall rated speaker wire, Category 6 network cable, HDMI rated for in-wall use), the number of runs and their endpoints. Cables run inside walls generally need to carry the appropriate fire rating under the National Electrical Code and local codes; using in-wall rated cable and stating it on the invoice protects you and the homeowner.
For TV mounting, record the mount model, the wall type, whether the mount is attached to studs or masonry, and the TV size and weight range covered. Over-fireplace mounts, brick and stone walls and ceiling mounts take longer and carry more risk, which justifies a higher rate.
Licensing varies widely. Some states require a low voltage or limited energy license for cabling, and adding a new outlet or circuit behind a TV is electrical work that usually needs a licensed electrician and possibly a permit. If you subcontract electrical work, show it as a separate line and keep the electrician's invoice in your records.
How to price and invoice TV mounting jobs
TV mounting is the entry point for many AV businesses and the most price-compared service, so a clear structure matters. Most companies set a base price by TV size, then add for the wall type, the mount and wire concealment. A rate card might look like this (illustrative figures only):
| Item | Example rate | Why it varies |
|---|---|---|
| Mount TV up to 55 in on drywall (studs) | $129 | Standard install, one technician |
| Mount TV 56 to 85 in | $169 | Two people often needed for weight and size |
| Brick, stone or tile wall | +$60 | Masonry anchors, drilling time, dust control |
| Over fireplace | +$75 | Height, heat considerations, ladder work |
| In-wall wire concealment kit | +$99 | Cutting, pulling and finishing two openings |
| Soundbar mount and connection | +$49 | Bracket alignment and setup |
| Remove and dispose of old TV | +$35 | Haul-away or recycling fees |
On the invoice, use the same names as your rate card so customers can match each line. If the customer supplies the mount, note it and exclude mount failures from your warranty. If you discover the wall cannot safely hold the TV (no studs where needed, hollow masonry), stop and agree an alternative in writing before continuing.
Equipment substitutions also need care. When a quoted model is out of stock and you install a comparable one, record the substitution and the customer's approval on the invoice, and adjust the price if the replacement costs less. State your return and restocking policy for special order items so a canceled job does not leave you holding expensive equipment.
Example AV installation invoice
An illustrative media room project with example prices.
Clearwave Home Systems LLC, Invoice AV-2026-052, dated October 23, 2026. Customer: Ethan and Mia Brooks, 61 Hollow Creek Road. Proposal P-2026-040 accepted September 15, 2026. Terms: balance due within 7 days.
| Description | Qty | Unit | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 in 4K TV (model and serial on equipment list) | 1 | each | $1,499.00 | $1,499.00 |
| AV receiver, 7.2 channel | 1 | each | $899.00 | $899.00 |
| In-ceiling speakers (pair) | 2 | pairs | $420.00 | $840.00 |
| Front speakers and center channel package | 1 | set | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Subwoofer, 12 in | 1 | each | $599.00 | $599.00 |
| Articulating wall mount, rated to 125 lb | 1 | each | $189.00 | $189.00 |
| Cables, wall plates, in-wall box, brackets and consumables | 1 | lot | $310.00 | $310.00 |
| TV mounting on studs with in-wall wire concealment | 1 | each | $275.00 | $275.00 |
| In-ceiling speaker installation, cut-in and wiring | 4 | speakers | $95.00 | $380.00 |
| Equipment setup, room calibration and remote programming | 4 | hours | $110.00 | $440.00 |
| Packaging removal and disposal | 1 | job | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Subtotal | $6,621.00 | |||
| Sales tax on equipment and materials, illustrative 7% of $5,486.00 | $384.02 | |||
| Less equipment deposit received September 15, 2026 | -$4,500.00 | |||
| Balance due | $2,505.02 | |||
Notes: One year workmanship warranty on installation and wiring. Equipment covered by manufacturer warranties; serial numbers listed on the attached equipment sheet. Customer trained on remote and app on completion.
The tax line in this example applies only to equipment and materials; your state may tax labor too, or treat built-in systems differently. Use the sales tax calculator once you know the rate and taxable base.
How to create an AV installation invoice step by step
- Start from the signed proposal. Copy equipment, quantities and labor lines.
- Update equipment. Record any substitutions with customer approval, plus serial numbers.
- Add labor by task or time. Keep task names familiar to the customer: mount TV, install speakers, program remote.
- Add change orders. Extra speakers, extra rooms or rewiring discovered on site need written approval. See our article on scope creep and change orders.
- Apply sales tax to the right lines under your state's rules.
- Subtract deposits and progress payments. Our deposit invoice guide shows how to present them.
- Add warranty and support terms.
- Send the PDF from the free invoice generator at handover, while the customer is enjoying the system.
Billing new construction and multi-phase projects
Whole home AV in new construction happens in phases: pre-wire before drywall, trim-out after paint, then equipment install and programming near move-in. Billing each phase separately keeps cash flowing during long builds. A common schedule is a deposit at contract, a payment after pre-wire inspection, another at trim-out and the balance at final programming. Our progress billing guide explains how to show completed percentages and previous payments.
When you work for a builder rather than the homeowner, expect purchase orders, insurance certificates, net 30 terms and possible retainage. Clarify in writing who pays for equipment the homeowner upgrades directly, because builder allowances often cover only a basic package and upgrades are billed to the homeowner.
Recurring support plans
Smart home systems need ongoing attention: software updates, Wi-Fi changes, new devices and the inevitable "the remote stopped working" call. Many integrators sell monthly or annual support plans that include remote support, a set number of service visits and discounted labor. Bill support on a separate recurring invoice rather than mixing it into project invoices, list exactly what is included, and state the response time you commit to. If the control platform requires annual licensing or cloud subscription fees, pass them through as separate lines so customers see the vendor cost.
Common mistakes on AV invoices
- No model or serial numbers. Customers need them for warranty, insurance and support.
- Bundling everything into one price. Separating equipment and labor helps with tax and shows the value of your work.
- Underbilling programming. Programming often takes longer than physical installation; track and bill it.
- Unclear deposit refund rules. Special order and opened equipment may not be returnable. Say so in writing.
- Customer-supplied equipment without a note. If the TV fails, the customer should know the warranty is between them and the seller.
- Skipping licensing rules. Line voltage work and some cabling require licenses in many states.
- Vague warranty terms. The FTC's guide to federal warranty law explains disclosure rules for written warranties on consumer products.
Related templates for tech service businesses
Many AV companies also fix and support the devices they install. The new computer repair invoice template covers diagnostics and data recovery, and the phone repair invoice template covers screen and battery jobs. For hourly support billing, see how to invoice for hourly work.
A strong AV installation invoice lists equipment with model and serial numbers, mounting and wiring, programming time, deposits and warranty terms, so customers understand the value of a professional install and pay without questions. Create one in our free invoice generator: it needs no sign-up, builds the PDF in your browser and lets you download it instantly. More layouts are on the invoice templates page.
Frequently asked questions
How do AV installers usually charge?
Most AV and home theater installers combine three pricing methods: equipment sold at a marked up price, flat rates for common tasks such as mounting a TV or installing a pair of in-ceiling speakers, and hourly rates for programming, troubleshooting and custom work. Larger projects are often quoted as a fixed price per room or system with a deposit. Whatever mix you use, keep it consistent between the proposal and the invoice.
Should I take a deposit for equipment on AV jobs?
Yes, most integrators require a deposit before ordering equipment, because receivers, projectors, speakers and control processors are expensive and sometimes non-returnable once opened. A common approach is to collect most or all of the equipment cost upfront and bill labor on completion or in stages. State clearly whether deposits are refundable and how restocking fees apply if the customer cancels.
Do I charge sales tax on AV installation invoices?
Equipment sold to the customer is taxable in most states that have a sales tax. Installation labor is treated differently from state to state: some tax it, some exempt it if separately stated, and some treat permanent built-in systems as real property improvements. Separating equipment from labor on the invoice makes it easier to apply your state's rules correctly. Check with your state revenue agency or accountant.
How should I invoice smart home programming?
Programming is usually billed hourly or as a fixed fee per system or room, plus any annual software license or dealer support plan required by the control platform. Describe what was programmed, such as scenes, remotes, lighting keypads and app access, so the customer understands the value. Later changes requested by the customer should be billed as new work or under a support plan.
What should my warranty terms say on an AV invoice?
Separate your labor warranty from manufacturer warranties. A common approach is a workmanship warranty on wiring and installation for a set period, with equipment covered by the manufacturer under its own terms. Exclude damage from power surges, customer changes, moving mounted equipment and software updates outside your control. Put full terms in the contract and reference them on the invoice.
Can I bill a trip charge for AV service calls?
Yes. Many integrators charge a service call fee that covers travel and the first block of time on site, then bill additional time in smaller increments. List the fee on your rate sheet, proposal and invoice. For clients on a support or maintenance plan, the trip charge may be included or discounted, and the invoice should show that clearly.
Do AV installers need a license?
It depends on the state and the work. Some states require a low voltage or limited energy license for installing audio, video, security or data cabling, while line voltage work such as adding outlets usually requires a licensed electrician. TV mounting alone may not require a license in many places. Check your state licensing board and put your license number on invoices if one is required.
How do I bill for cable and parts on an AV job?
List major parts individually, such as HDMI cables, wall plates, in-wall boxes and mounts, and group small consumables like connectors and ties into a single materials line. For long runs, bill in-wall rated speaker or network cable by the foot or by the run. Showing the parts list helps customers see why a custom install costs more than buying a TV and soundbar.
Invoice Creator Editorial Team
Guides on invoicing, cash flow and small-business finance from Invoice Creator, operated by Next Software Development Company. Content is reviewed for accuracy against the fields our own invoice generator produces.
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