Guides for contractors
Plain-English guides on job costing, pricing, crews, and getting paid, written for contractors who run jobs, not accountants. Free to read, no sign-up.
Job costing for contractors: a step-by-step guide
What counts as a job cost, and a six-step system to know what every job made before it’s over.
GuideProfit margin vs. markup: the mistake that costs contractors money
The formulas, how to price for the margin you want, and a markup-to-margin chart.
GuideHow to calculate cubic yards of concrete
Formulas for slabs, footings, and piers, a quick chart, and how much extra to order.
GuideGPS time clocks for construction crews: a practical guide
What GPS clocks fix, how they work, and what to watch for: notice, privacy, drive time, overtime.
GuideConstruction change orders: how to track them and get paid
What to put in writing, when to get it signed, how to price it, and making sure it gets billed.
GuideHow to follow up on a construction bid and win more work
A follow-up schedule, what to say, and using your win rate to pick which jobs to bid.
GuideMoving your jobs from Smartsheet or Excel
Bring jobs, bids, customers, and crew over from a spreadsheet in minutes, without retyping.
For contractors in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
CIS and the VAT reverse charge on subcontractor invoices
UK: what a subcontractor's invoice should show under CIS and the domestic reverse charge, with a worked example.
GuideRCT and the VAT reverse charge for subcontractors in Ireland
Ireland: RCT rates, deduction authorisations, and what a subcontractor’s invoice should say about VAT.
GuidePayment claims under Australia’s security of payment laws
Australia: what a payment claim needs, the payment schedule deadline, and when adjudication is an option.
GuideTPAR for builders: the taxable payments annual report
Australia: who lodges a TPAR, what to report for each contractor, and the 28 August deadline.
GuidePayment claims under the Construction Contracts Act 2002
New Zealand: the six things a payment claim must include, Form 1, and the 20-working-day payment schedule.
GuideGST/HST, PST and holdback on construction invoices in Canada
Canada: sales tax by province, PST on construction, the 10% holdback, and T5018 slips.