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 […]
Equipment Tax Deduction for Contractors: Expense It or Capitalize It?
Buying new tools, vans, or heavy gear is exciting for any electrician, plumber, HVAC tech or trades contractor – but it can also send your wallet into shock. The good news is the tax code has rules to help you recover those costs. Getting the tax treatment right can save you thousands through equipment tax […]
Master Profitability with the Contractor Quarterly Financial KPI Checklist
Keeping a construction or contracting business financially healthy requires more than just invoicing clients and paying bills. To stay competitive, you need a clear, data‑driven view of your performance every quarter. That’s where a robust Contractor Quarterly Financial KPI Checklist comes in. By systematically tracking the right key performance indicators (KPIs), you can identify trends, […]
Chart of Accounts Deep Dive for Contractors
If you’re in the construction business, you already know the importance of structure. Just like a solid foundation is essential for a safe and functional building, a clean and organized chart of accounts (COA) is essential for accurate bookkeeping. In this article, we’ll be doing a chart of accounts for contractors deep dive to help you learn […]
Job Costing in QuickBooks Online for Contractors in 2025
Why Job Costing Matters for Contractors Contractors operate on thin margins, juggling labor, materials, subcontractors, equipment, and overhead on every project. Without a robust job costing system, you risk quoting too low, eroding profitability, or quoting too high and losing bids. Something as simple as setting up job costing in QuickBooks Online might help simplify […]