Firstly, why do I think time slips on invoices are unnecessary? Because, with almost every other industry you are not itemizing every moment of the service you are invoicing. We take down the time for our records and use, of course. And if there is a dispute over how much time is put towards a phase, THEN and only THEN should you produce the itemized list of time slips. All the client needs to focus is on is how far along in the project you are and how much they owe. I'm not saying you keep scope creep a secret. In fact I think it is a serious struggle for many firms on how you manage scope creep. Do you want your client to think you are nickel and diming them for every little design change? Certainly not, but at some point they are asking way more of you than you originally estimated and at some point that needs to be tabulated as an additional service.
Anyway, back to time slip phraseology. A coworker of mine suggested starting each time slip entry with one of a few key terms. They are: design, coordinate, meeting, detail. I think there are a few more that could be included, but I'm bit sure which word best encompasses all the meanings. You need something that covers phone calls with clients where they are expressing a concern or inquiring about a time frame or whatever. I have one client who calls me almost every day to either make a design change, request an update on structural/zoning/HARB/product estimates. If I don't log that time and bill it to him, that shit adds up fast. Anyway, so I'm thinking... Phone calls with clients could be considered coordination or meeting. But I think I like the idea of specifically noting a phone call as such because if you reference "design changes" or "coordination as directed in client phone call such and such date," then the phone call is logged there in your time slips automatically.
I find myself pondering many office management ideas and operations lately. I don't know if it is just lack of understanding on the part of the clients or lack of clarity from us, but lately it seems like clients of all financial backgrounds are scrutinizing invoices much more aggressively than it seems they should.
Random thoughts during a car ride whole typing on my phone. Please excuse typos.
