If you're offered a cheaper price without a factura, consider what you'll have to rely on if the repair goes wrong. A proper invoice connects the business, work and payment. Without it, you may be trying to establish those details from messages or a cash withdrawal that doesn't show who was paid.
Agree the final price, including tax
Ask whether IVA is included in the quote and whether you'll receive an invoice. Do that before the visit or work starts. A surprise tax addition at payment time usually means the price was never clear enough.
Cash isn't automatically a problem. Cash with no receipt, no invoice and no identifiable business leaves you with much less evidence. If you pay cash, get a dated receipt linked to the job.
An invoice should tell you what happened
Look for the business and customer details, date, work, materials, labour and applicable tax. A call-out or travel charge should be visible. ‘Repairs: €600’ isn't much help if the disagreement is about which repairs were done.
Domestic-appliance repair rules specifically require a detailed invoice and correspondence with the accepted estimate. For other work, keep the quote as well; the invoice shouldn't be your only record of the promise.
Do not confuse an invoice with a certificate
A factura doesn't replace an electrical boletín, installation record, product warranty or planning permission. Ask which documents you need for the actual job and include them in the agreed price.
Keep everything in one folder: quote, changes, photos, payments, invoice and technical documents. If a defect appears, tell the business promptly in writing and keep evidence of the problem. You'll have a much easier conversation if you can point to a specific item.
Before you go ahead
- The invoice names the business and shows its tax details.
- You can identify the work and materials it covers.
- The quoted and invoiced prices make the IVA clear.
- You have a receipt or transfer record for the payment.
- You've also received any certificates and warranty documents promised.
Common questions
Is a WhatsApp quote an invoice?
No. It can help prove what was discussed, but ask for a formal invoice that identifies the supplier, service and financial details.
Should I pay before receiving it?
Agree the paperwork in advance and request the final invoice at or before final payment, especially when certificates or warranty documents are still outstanding.
Sources and further reading
Official information checked on 12 October 2026. Rules and procedures can change; verify the live source for your exact circumstances.