How to Set Up a Chart of Accounts for a Construction Business (Step-by-Step)
When you run a construction business, you rely on tools to keep your projects moving. A good chart of accounts for a construction business works the same way. It is a tool that organizes all the financial activity in your business so you can understand what your jobs really cost, where your money is going, […]
DIY Construction Bookkeeping vs. Hiring a Bookkeeper: What Contractors Should Know
Bookkeeping isn’t the part of running a construction company that most contractors enjoy. Between managing crews, estimating projects, and keeping clients happy, the financial side often gets pushed to the end of the day, if it gets done at all. But accurate books are what show you whether your jobs are profitable, whether cash flow […]
Best Bookkeeping Software for Construction Companies in 2026 (QuickBooks, Xero & More)
If you run a construction business, you already know how messy the numbers can get. Between juggling job sites, managing crews, and keeping up with suppliers, bookkeeping often takes a back seat. But without a clean system, it’s hard to see which jobs are profitable or whether your bids are accurate. That’s where the best […]
The Top Bookkeeping Mistakes Construction Companies Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Bookkeeping isn’t usually the part of running a construction business that gets anyone excited, but it’s one of the most important. Accurate books aren’t just for tax time. They show whether your jobs are truly profitable, if your cash flow is steady, and whether your business is heading in the right direction. The problem is […]
Payroll and Subcontractor Payments: A Bookkeeping Guide for Construction Companies
If you run a construction business, you know how complicated payroll and subcontractor payments can get. Unlike a regular office job, your workers might clock in at three different job sites in one week. Pay rates can vary by skill level or project, and some states have specific requirements for overtime, taxes, and workers’ comp […]
How Contractors Should Handle Retainage in Their Bookkeeping
If you’ve ever finished a job, sent your invoice, and realized a chunk of your payment is still being held back, you’ve run into retainage. It’s a common part of construction contracts, but it can also make bookkeeping confusing if you don’t track it properly. For many contractors, retainage creates two problems. It delays when […]
How to Use NAHB Cost Codes in QuickBooks to Track Profitability
Learn how to set up NAHB cost codes in QuickBooks to track job costs, measure profitability, and make smarter decisions on every project.
Construction Bookkeeping Year-End Checklist for Contractors and Trade Businesses
As the year winds down, most contractors are still juggling job sites, client deadlines and keeping crews on track. But before you hang up your hard hat for the holidays, it’s worth taking a few hours to wrap up your books. Year-end bookkeeping is a chance to make sure your numbers are accurate so you’re […]
Job Costing 101: How to Track Costs Accurately in Construction Bookkeeping
If you’re a contractor, painter, or HVAC business owner, you’ve probably had moments where you looked at the bank account and thought: “Wait, we were busy all month. Where did the money go?” That’s where construction job costing comes in. Construction bookkeeping isn’t just about recording numbers for tax season. Done right, it helps you […]
5 Tips for Using QuickBooks for General Contractors
As the owner of a general contracting business, you wear many hats: project manager, problem-solver, and sometimes even a bookkeeper. Between juggling job sites, crews, and client deadlines, it’s easy for bookkeeping to slide to the bottom of your priority list. Yet, keeping accurate financial records is what ensures your projects stay profitable and your […]