Industries
Bookkeeping for construction businesses and contractors
Job costing, progress billing, retainage, subcontractors and equipment, tracked job by job. Books that show what every job really earned and keep your 1099s and payroll ready.
Monthly bookkeeping starting at $97 a month.
Construction bookkeeping problems I see
- No profit number for each job
- Materials and labor not assigned to jobs
- Retainage forgotten until the end of the project
- Subcontractors paid without W-9s or insurance certificates
- Equipment loans and purchases recorded wrong
- Cash flow gaps between draws
Who I work with
General contractors, remodelers, roofers, HVAC, electrical and plumbing contractors, landscapers and other trades.
What's included
- Each job set up as a project, with costs assigned to it
- Job profitability reports: contract, costs and margin
- Progress billing and retainage tracked
- Subcontractor payments tracked, with W-9s for 1099s
- Equipment purchases and loans recorded for depreciation
- Payroll recorded and assigned to jobs
- A cash flow view of upcoming draws and bills
Retainage
Retainage held back by your customer is still money you earned. It's tracked as a receivable so it doesn't get forgotten.
Subcontractors
Keep a current W-9 and certificate of insurance for every sub. It protects you at 1099 time and with your insurance audit.
Retainage on a progress bill
A $100,000 progress bill with 10% retainage.
| Progress bill | $100,000 |
| Paid now | $90,000 |
| Retainage receivable (collected at completion) | $10,000 |
Made-up numbers. Retainage that isn't tracked is easy to lose.
How it works
- 1
Free call
We go over your jobs, billing and subcontractors.
- 2
Setup
Jobs set up as projects, with cost codes that fit how you work.
- 3
Monthly close
Books closed by the 7th, with profit by job.
- 4
Year end
1099s, payroll forms and a tax-ready package.
What I need from you
- A list of active jobs and contracts
- Supplier and subcontractor invoices
- Payroll reports or system access
- Equipment purchase and loan documents
Documents go through my secure client portal, never email.
Construction questions
Can you set up job costing in QuickBooks Online?
Yes, using projects, classes or the tools your plan includes.
Do my subs need 1099s?
Generally yes, for unincorporated subs paid $2,000 or more in 2026. See 1099 filing.
How do I handle equipment?
Equipment is generally depreciated, and loan payments are split between interest and principal. Bonus depreciation or Section 179 may apply.
Do you do sales tax for contractors?
Sales tax rules for contractors vary a lot by state. I track what applies and flag what needs a closer look.
Know what every job earns
Book a free call, or send a message about your business.