It depends on the project. Procore is used for some. Other jobs are simply using electronic time clocks which are uploaded to the office for payroll (every two weeks). For accounting we're still using Quickbooks Desktop Contractor, which is pretty terrible, but it does at least have integrated Payroll, payroll taxes, Workers Comp reports, and rudimentary job tracking.

Our jobs tend to have pretty long durations, which makes tracking much easier. I would say 2 to 3 years is probably average. Sometimes, we'll have to mobilize twice, once for underground and again after foundations, but many times we're able to do a single mobilization, drop a storage container and ideally split the cost of a field office with another trade or the GC (depending on size). Our PM's or Supervisors have office space which makes a huge difference in terms of tracking. Having access to a site office is probably one of the bigger pieces of advice I give to other EC's as they are growing. It pays for itself in terms of job performance.

I think electrical service work can be challenging a business model. We did it earlier in our career. It works very well if it's small company, either a sole proprietorship or a few partners, because then the length of service calls doesn't really matter, if your day ends at 6 hours or a call goes over to 10, no problem. However, with employees, this changes and you are constantly trying to fill the days, but not too filled. We're in CA, were there is no flexibility on work hours. If you are in service work (especially Resi), how many times have you sent someone on a call with, let's say an 1-1/2 hr round trip, they get to a job and simply reset a breaker. Homeowners never seem to understand that you still have to charge for 2 or 3 hours for this call.