What is a work order?
A work order is an internal document that authorizes and describes a specific job: what needs to be done, where, when, by whom, and with what parts and labor. Maintenance teams, property managers and trade businesses use them to turn requests into trackable, numbered tasks.
What's the difference between a work order and an invoice?
A work order directs the work before/while it happens; an invoice bills for it afterward. If your work order already lists labor and parts with prices — as this template does — creating the invoice is just a copy-paste.
What's the difference between a work order and a purchase order?
A work order commissions labor (usually internal or dispatched); a purchase order commissions goods from an outside supplier. A big repair may generate both: a WO for the tech, and a PO for the parts.
How should I number work orders?
Sequentially (WO-1001, WO-1002…), optionally with a property or client prefix. The number is what lets you connect the request, the job, the photos and the invoice.
Is this work order generator free?
Yes — unlimited work orders and PDF downloads, no account needed. Everything stays in your browser.