What is a debit note for a construction site?
A debit note for a construction site is a document, that is issued by a seller to a buyer, who owes the seller money. It is a promissory note that is used as a formal and legal document to indicate that the person who has purchased on credit has debt obligations toward the seller.
A receipt/invoice and a debit note are not similar, but a debit note may be issued in the place of, or along with, a receipt. The format for a debit note for a construction site is designed by considering all the relevant factors, and the required information that needs to be put on such note.
A debit note can be issued in various scenarios and for different purposes. For instance:
- If the issued receipt or the paid amount is less than the original owed amount.
- If the issued invoice did not include all the relevant details of the transaction.
- The seller preferred to issue a debit note instead of a receipt or an invoice.
- If the seller wants to intimate the buyer about the latter’s debt obligations.
- If the seller wants to issue both the debit mote and the invoice due to company policies.
A construction company often sells on a credit basis, which is why the issuance of debit notes is a common practice. Sometimes, the whole transaction is on an accrual basis, and the debit note is issued, having the total amount.
On the other hand, if a buyer pays a certain amount as a token to secure his purchase, the debit note would be issued for the remaining amount. In addition, when the payment date is near, the seller may send a debit note to the buyer to remind him about making the payment.
It is important to design the debit note according to the type of business, and the type of usual products and selling items. The format should include all the relevant information and details, that need to be present to represent the complete transaction. Further, the design needs to be aligned with the legal requirements as well, to make them acceptable for legal purposes. Therefore, the debit note formats may vary in design, and the included information.
When a debit note is designed for a construction site, the details included are aligned with the type of product the construction company is selling. Generally, the following information is included in such types of debit notes:
- Date.
- Title.
- Company information.
- Debtor information.
- Debit note.
- Serial number.
- Description of the item/s.
- Quantity.
- Price per item.
- Total price.
- Sales tax or other duties.
- Delivery charges.
- Total charges.
- Remarks, if any.
- Declaration, if any.
- Signature of the issuing authority.
These debit notes are kept in the records of both the sellers and the buyers and can be used for accounting and auditing purposes. In addition, the debit notes may aid in taking advantage of the tax exemptions. Furthermore, these debit notes may be used as legal evidence in court to secure the owed money from the buyer.
Sample Debit Note Format
This debit note is written with reference to order no X. As per the order 300 bags of cement were to be delivered on 30th October 30xx for the purpose of construction. However, only 180 bags were delivered. The order was received on 31st October and due to heavy rain, 20 bags are ruined and are in no shape to use.
It is requested to send the remaining bags to us as soon as possible and send a replacement of the 20 bags too. 20 bags are wasted due to the sheer negligence of the delivery boys as the bags were not covered properly. We are regular clients and such an incident has never happened in the past but since you have changed your delivery boy, such incidents are happening every other day.
The last time when we ordered you Italian marble tiles, the quantity was fine but the tiles were broken because of the wrong pattern of loading them in the delivery vehicle. Such negligence in a professional business can mar down the repute of your company.
The payment decided for 300 bags was $X. I am deducting the payment of 20 bags and the remaining payment will be released once the remaining bags are delivered safely to me. Kindly look into this matter and send the bags soon so that our construction might not suffer.
I expect you to resolve this issue for now and to be careful about the next business dealings. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Many thanks.
File: Word (.docx) 2007+ and iPad
Size 28 KB