What's the Best Invoicing Software for Builders

Understanding the Needs of Builders for Invoicing Software

Before diving into specific invoicing software options, it's important to understand the unique needs of builders and contractors. For builders, invoicing software needs to be more than just a simple accounting tool. Builders require features that cater to their specific job functions and industry challenges. Two key features are time tracking and job costing.

Time Tracking and Job Costing

Builders and contractors often invoice for time worked on a project, so time tracking is essential for accurate billing. Invoicing software with built-in time tracking tools can save builders time and hassle by automatically generating invoices based on tracked hours. Job costing is also important as it helps builders understand the profitability of each project. This feature enables you to track the cost of materials, labor, and overheads related to a particular job.

It's worth noting that time tracking and job costing go hand in hand. By tracking the time spent on a project, builders can see how much each hour is costing them and adjust their pricing accordingly. This information can also be used to identify areas where costs can be cut or where more resources are needed to complete a project on time and on budget.

Branded Invoices and Estimates

Your business's invoices are one of the most critical touch points with your clients and customers. With this in mind, invoicing software needs to have a level of personalisation that matches your branding, tone, and messaging. Software that permits you to tailor the design and layout of the invoice will give your billing documents a professional and polished appearance.

Branded estimates are also important as they allow you to provide clients with up-front pricing for projects. This can help to build trust and transparency with your clients and can lead to more business in the future. By providing detailed estimates, you can also avoid any misunderstandings or disputes about pricing later on.

Integration with Construction Management Tools

Most builders use other software tools to manage different aspects of their construction projects. Examples include task tracking, scheduling, and project management software. It's important to consider invoicing software that can integrate into your current workflow and complement other tools. This can help avoid duplicated work and streamline processes.

Integration with construction management tools can also help builders to stay on top of their invoicing and billing. By having all of their project information in one place, builders can easily keep track of what needs to be invoiced and when. This can help to ensure that invoices are sent out on time and that payments are received promptly.

In conclusion, when choosing invoicing software for builders, it's important to consider the specific needs of the industry. Time tracking, job costing, branded invoices and estimates, and integration with construction management tools are all important features to look for. By choosing software that caters to these needs, builders can save time, reduce costs, and improve their overall business operations.

Top Invoicing Software Options for Builders

Now that we have explored the key features that builders require for invoicing software let's take a more in-depth look at some of the top options for builders and contractors in the market today.

Thriday

Thriday is one of the most popular and widely used accounting software options for builders. Thriday has all the necessary functions for managing accounts, creating compliant invoices and other reports and logs, and managing projects. You can manage your accounts payable and receivable with customisable, branded forms that match your colours, schedule reminders to help you stay on top of payments and much more. Thriday has a simple dashboard that enables you to track the financial performance of your business across multiple metrics visually.

One of the key benefits of Thriday is that it is highly customisable, allowing you to tailor the software to your specific needs and preferences. You can add custom tags, add new users, and even schedule automated payment reminders to streamline your workflow. Thriday also offers excellent customer support, with a dedicated team of experts available to help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter. You can join Thriday for free here.

BuilderTREND

The construction-specific features and tools that BuilderTREND offers make it stand out as an invoicing software option for builders and contractors. BuilderTREND tracks job costs, provides access to blueprints and diagrams and also integrates with other construction software. BuilderTREND also gets high marks for its comprehensive project management features.

BuilderTREND's project management features include tools for scheduling, task management, and communication. The software also offers a customer portal, which allows clients to view project progress, make payments, and communicate with the builder or contractor.

CoConstruct

CoConstruct is all about efficiency, providing builders with time-saving features like automatic time tracking and pre-built templates for reporting and invoicing. It covers project management, job costing, customer management, and even creates proposals and group communication options such as messaging and notifications.

CoConstruct's customer management features include tools for lead tracking, contact management, and email marketing. The software also offers a mobile app, which allows builders and contractors to manage projects and communicate with clients on-the-go.

Xero for Construction

Xero is an excellent accounting software option for small to medium-sized builders and contractors. It produces extensive financial reports, helps automate manual finance tasks, and streamlines cash flow management. Xero provides detailed project reporting and cost tracking, as well as error correction for issues before invoicing. Like QuickBooks, you can customise your invoices, create schedules, and track finances through a visually pleasing dashboard.

Xero's cash flow management features include tools for invoicing, payment tracking, and bank reconciliation. The software also offers a range of integrations with other tools and services, including payment gateways, project management software, and CRM systems.

Features to Look for in Invoicing Software for Builders

When it comes to invoicing software for builders, there are several features you should keep your eye out for to ensure you select the best possible option for your business. In this article, we'll explore some of the key features you should consider.

Ease of Use and Accessibility

One of the most significant benefits of invoicing software is its ability to make invoicing simpler and more time-efficient. As a builder, you have a lot on your plate, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours on invoicing. The software you choose should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and simple to use, even for those without a background in accounting. It is also recommended that it can be accessed remotely, online, or via a mobile app or devices. This way, you can create and send invoices on the go, without having to be tied to your office.

Customisation and Branding

Your invoices and estimates are likely to be the first impression clients and customers have of your business. It is essential that the software you choose offers a level of customisation, so you can match your branding and other company styles, fonts, and colours to your invoices. Besides, the logo and contact information should be personalised to match your business so that customers can contact you directly. This will give your clients a sense of professionalism and attention to detail, which can go a long way in building trust and credibility.

Payment Processing Options

Payment processing is one of the most critical aspects of the invoicing process – you want it to be easy and convenient for your clients while secure and reliable for your business. It is useful to look for invoicing software that integrates with the most common payment processing platforms and offers options that cater to client preferences. This way, your clients can pay you quickly and easily, without having to jump through hoops.

Automated Reminders and Recurring Invoices

As a builder, you're likely to have multiple projects on the go at any given time. This means you'll have multiple invoices to keep track of, which can be a headache. Automating the invoicing process with recurring invoices and automated reminders for late payments can streamline the cash flow process and help reduce errors and late payments. This way, you can focus on what you do best – building – while the software takes care of the rest.

Reporting and Analytics

Beyond simple invoicing and billing, it is crucial to have access to up-to-date reports and analytics on your business's performance. This may include metrics such as overheads, profit and loss figures as well as job costs and overall cost tracking. With this information at your fingertips, you can make informed decisions about your business and identify areas for improvement.

When choosing invoicing software for builders, it's important to consider the features that will make your life easier and your business more successful. By selecting software that is easy to use, customisable, offers payment processing options, automates reminders and recurring invoices, and provides reporting and analytics, you'll be well on your way to streamlining your invoicing process and improving your bottom line.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right invoicing software is crucial for any business, big or small. The right tools can help boost your business's efficiency and growth, while the wrong ones can lead to frustration and lost time.

One important factor to consider when selecting invoicing software is job costing. This feature allows you to track the costs associated with each project, ensuring that you are accurately billing your clients and maximising your profits.

Another key feature to look for is project management. With the right software, you can easily manage your projects from start to finish, keeping track of deadlines, milestones, and budgets. This can help you stay organised and ensure that your projects are completed on time and within budget.

Of course, ease of use and accessibility are also important considerations. You want software that is intuitive and user-friendly, so you can get up and running quickly without a lot of training. And, you want to be able to access your invoicing software from anywhere, whether you're in the office or on the go.

Ultimately, by selecting the right software and creating an efficient invoicing process, you can maximise your business's potential. You'll be able to focus on what you do best - running your business - while the software takes care of the rest.