Cleaners
Weekly and biweekly clients are the whole business. Set a recurring invoice once and it goes out on schedule. Keep a card on file, with their OK, and you're not chasing payment every Friday.
Estimate it, do the work, get paid
A POS system for auto repair and service businesses
Yes, a POS system for service businesses can be free. Auto repair shops, mechanics, cleaners and contractors can run estimates, invoices and deposits on it, then get paid at the counter, in the driveway or by text.
If your work starts with "let me take a look" and ends with a bill, this page is for you. Jump to your trade:
Auto repair and mechanics
From "what's that noise?" to keys in hand
A repair job has more steps than a coffee sale. Here's how it runs on a free POS, start to finish.
- 1
Write the estimate
Parts and labor as separate line items, with notes about what you found. Send it by text or email.
- 2
Get the OK
The customer reviews and approves it from their phone, so there's a record of what they said yes to.
- 3
Turn it into an invoice
One click turns the approved estimate into an invoice. Add the extra part you needed, if you needed one.
- 4
Take payment at pickup
Tap or chip at the counter, a card number over the phone, or let them pay the invoice link before they show up.
Pickup is where shops lose time
The customer's standing at the counter, the car's out front, and you're digging for the paperwork. When the invoice is already in the system, checkout is the same as any other sale. If they already paid by link, you hand over the keys.
- Tap, chip or keyed-in card at the counter
- Pay-by-link invoices for the "can you text me the bill?" crowd
- Save a card on file for fleet or repeat customers, with their permission
- Notes on each customer, like their vehicles and past work
Honest note: this is a payments and invoicing setup, not full shop management software. There's no VIN decoder, labor guide or parts ordering built in. Plenty of independent shops don't need those. If you do, you can still use this for payments next to your shop system.
Other trades
Same tools, different day
Contractors
Bigger jobs need a deposit before you buy materials, a contract the client signs and a clear paper trail. Send the estimate, collect the deposit, get the signature, invoice the balance.
Home services
Plumbers, electricians, HVAC, landscapers, handymen, pest control. Take payment in the driveway on your phone with a mobile POS, or send the invoice from the truck before you've pulled away.
On Square Free
Run the job, and the paperwork, on Free
Square Free
- EstimatesSend an estimate with your items, notes and taxes. When it's accepted, turn it into an invoice yourself.
- Invoices and recurring invoicesOne-off or on a schedule, with automatic reminders.
- DepositsAsk for a deposit up front on an invoice.
- Card on file and keyed-in cardsSave a card with the customer's okay and charge it later, or type in a card over the phone.
- Payments on the goTap to Pay on your phone, or a reader in your pocket, at the curb or on the job.
- Contracts with e-signatureSend a contract and get it signed before you start.
- Customer notes and filesKeep notes, photos and documents on each customer's profile.
When the jobs get bigger
Bigger shops and crews usually want the time savers.
- Square PlusEstimates that become invoices automaticallyOn Free you convert them yourself, which is one click.
- Square PlusGood, better, best estimatesSend several packages in one estimate and let the customer pick.
- Square PlusMilestone payment schedulesBill a job in stages instead of a deposit plus the balance.
- Square PlusBatch invoices and custom templates
- Square PlusRequire a signed contract to pay
- Square PlusTimecards and shift scheduling
Plan prices and card rates change, so we keep them in one place instead of on every page. See current pricing or Square rates and hardware.
Getting started
Send your first estimate today
- 1
Sign up free
Add your business info and the bank account for deposits.
- 2
Save your common items
Labor rates, common parts, service packages. Building estimates gets fast.
- 3
Send one
Pick a real job this week and send the estimate through the system.
Questions
Service pros and shop owners ask us
Should I invoice or charge on the spot?
If the customer is standing in front of you, charge on the spot. It's faster and there's nothing to chase. Invoices make sense for bigger jobs, for customers who aren't there when you finish, and for anything billed in stages.
Is it okay to keep a customer's card on file?
Yes, as long as they agree to it. Ask first, tell them when you'll charge it, and only charge what you agreed on. It's handy for repeat cleanings, recurring service and the customer who wants to drop the keys and go.
Can an auto repair shop use Square Free?
Yes, for the money side: estimates, invoices with parts and labor as line items, deposits, and taking payment at pickup. It isn't a full shop management system, though. There's no VIN decoding, labor guide or parts ordering built in, so shops that need those usually keep their shop software and use Square to get paid.
Can I save a customer's card and charge it later?
Yes. Card on file is on Square Free. Get the customer's okay first, and charge only what you agreed on. Keyed-in and card-on-file payments have their own rate, which is on our pricing page.
Still deciding? See which POS hardware fits your business and whether a free POS is enough, or browse all our free POS guides. Current rates are on our pricing page, and every reader and terminal is on the Square rates and hardware page. More answers on the FAQ page, or call (888) 243-3831.
Send the estimate, get paid at pickup. Start free.
Square Free has no monthly software fee and no long-term contract. You pay a processing fee when a customer pays by card, and nothing on cash. Current numbers are on our pricing page.
No monthly fee on the free plan. No long-term contract. Cancel anytime. See current pricing.
Free POS System is operated by POSUSA, an authorized Square reseller. POSUSA may earn compensation when you sign up through our link. It doesn't cost you a cent more. Read our disclosure.