Job costing for renovation contractors

Renovation margins disappear one small yes at a time: an extra outlet, a different tile, a pot filler. JobFigure makes each of those a variation before the work is done, and shows materials, subs, and crew hours against the job while you’re still on it.

What renovation builders track in JobFigure

• Quotes homeowners accept online. Send a private link; the homeowner types their name and taps Accept, and the bid turns Won.
• Add-ons as variations. Every homeowner request goes in as a variation, add or deduct, straight into the contract value.
• Receipts from the merchant. Snap a receipt and the AI reads the vendor and amount, then it posts to the job.
• Hourly work, too. Handyman and service work can be bid and tracked by the hour (HR).

Set up for renovation from the first day

When you pick Remodeling & Handyman as your trade, JobFigure loads these cost categories for budgets, receipts, and job costs. You can rename or add your own at any time.

• Materials
• Labour
• Subcontractor
• Equipment Rental
• Permits
• Disposal
• Supplies
• Fuel
• Other

Bid line items use the units renovation actually bid in: square metres (m²), metres (m), each (EA), hours (HR), and lump sum (LS).

Example: what a renovation job looks like mid-way

Gut and rebuild a kitchen: new cabinets, quartz tops, tile backsplash, LVT flooring, and lighting, with subs for electrical, plumbing, and countertops. The cabinets are in; the tops are being templated.

The cabinets and flooring are bought, so materials at 84% is expected. Labour at 73% is the one to watch, with the backsplash, trim, and punch list ahead. Homeowner add-ons are where renovation margins disappear: if they asked for under-cabinet lights or a pot filler, log it as a variation before the electrician runs it.

Invoices the New Zealand way

Set your company to New Zealand and every progress invoice is a GST tax invoice with retentions. Tick one box to make it a payment claim under the Construction Contracts Act 2002, with the statement, work period and due date it needs. Prices are in New Zealand dollars. More in our guide: Payment claims under the Construction Contracts Act 2002.

Guides and tools for renovation builders