Field notes for
the shop owner.
Practical money and paperwork guides for HVAC, plumbing, electrical and roofing crews. Short enough to read in the truck, specific enough to use Monday.
Editorial illustrationService Dispatch Software: Buyer's Guide for Small Crews
Compare service dispatch software for small crews with a weighted demo checklist, annual cost worksheet, switching math and a safer migration plan.
Editorial illustrationDispatch Service for Owner Operator: Worth the Fee?
Compare flat and percentage dispatch fees, calculate break-even billing, spot contract red flags and use a seven-point checklist for your home-service shop.
Editorial illustrationHVAC Service Calls: Set a Fee That Protects Your Margin
Set HVAC service call fees from travel, diagnostic and overhead costs. Compare fee models, calculate repair credits and turn clear notes into invoice drafts.
Editorial illustrationHVAC Maintenance Plans: Costs, Coverage, and Break-Even Math
Compare HVAC maintenance plan coverage, exclusions and costs. Use worked break-even examples, check warranty terms and price contractor plans from real costs.
Editorial illustrationChoosing HVAC Business Management Software
Choose HVAC business management software with a 100-point scorecard, crew-growth checklist, fleet guidance and a written 12-month cost comparison.
Editorial illustrationFree Plumbing Estimate: Worksheet, Example, Software
Build a reusable plumbing estimate worksheet with labor, materials, markup and payment terms. Includes a water heater example and software selection tips.
Editorial illustrationHow to Write a Roofing Estimate That Wins Bids
Write a clearer roofing estimate with itemized scope, materials, labor and payment terms. Includes asphalt and metal templates, exclusions and pricing tips.
Editorial illustrationWork Order Management Software: A Buyer's Guide
Choose work order management software for a small service crew. Compare free-plan limits, asset and inventory needs, total costs and spreadsheet migration.
Editorial illustrationElectrical Contractor Work Order Software: How to Evaluate
Evaluate electrical contractor work order software with panel and permit checklists, a 10-point scorecard, migration guidance and a two-week pilot.
Editorial illustrationField Service Work Order Software: A Lifecycle Guide
Evaluate field service work order software from creation to invoicing. Compare dispatch, mobile usability and pricing, then run a one-week crew pilot.
Editorial illustrationWhat Is Job Costing? A Guide for Small Home-Services Shops
Job costing for HVAC, plumbing, electrical and roofing crews: the formula, a worked $4,850 install example, key reports, QuickBooks notes and common mistakes.
Explore the job costing guide
- 01What is the definition of job costing?
- 02How does job costing differ from process costing?
- 03What is the job costing formula and how do you calculate it?
- 04A worked example: costing a $4,850 HVAC install
- 05What do job costing reports look like and which ones matter?
- 06How does job costing work in QuickBooks?
- 07When should you use software instead of spreadsheets?
- 08What are common job costing mistakes that erode margin?
More guides are on the way. See what else changed on the Updates page.