Billing schedule types and when to use each

A billing schedule lets you set up billing for a contractor ahead of time — instead of waiting for a regular invoice, you tell Flamingo what to bill and when. Create one under Invoices → Billing schedules → Create billing schedule.

The wizard walks you through: choose the contract, choose a type, fill in the details, then review and create.

The five types

• Scheduled invoice — a one-time invoice set to issue on a future date. Best for a known, dated charge, e.g. an onboarding fee billed next month.
• Recurring invoice — an invoice that auto-issues on a repeating cadence (weekly, monthly, etc.) until an end rule. Best for a fixed retainer or a steady repeating amount.
• Recurring adjustment — a bonus or deduction applied on a repeating cadence, folded into the contractor’s invoices. Best for things like a monthly allowance or a recurring deduction.
• One-off adjustment — a single bonus or deduction applied once to a future invoice. Best for a one-time bonus, commission, or expense added to the next invoice.
• One-off payment — a standalone, off-cycle payment issued on its own, not folded into a regular invoice. Best for an urgent or out-of-band payment.

Invoices vs adjustments vs payments

The types fall into three groups — and they behave differently:

• Invoices (scheduled / recurring) — generate a whole invoice of their own.
• Adjustments (recurring / one-off) — are added into the contractor’s existing invoice as a line item, not billed separately. See Schedule adjustments explained.
• One-off payment — creates its own off-cycle invoice immediately.

Choosing the right one

• Need a dated, one-time charge? → Scheduled invoice.
• Need the same amount every cycle? → Recurring invoice.
• Adding a bonus/deduction to normal invoices, repeating? → Recurring adjustment; just once? → One-off adjustment.
• Paying something outside the normal cycle, on its own? → One-off payment.

Once set up, schedules turn into real invoices automatically — see How billing schedules become invoices. You’ll need the permission to manage contractor invoicing.