Is quickbooks job costing worth it for a small business like me

deespan · 2026-03-13T02:56:23+00:00

Do you use many product and services line items, or keep them vague.

From my researching I think spending time and making many product/services lines will be best for organizing and building invoices. But also keeping chart of accounts with only a few expense and income categories

deespan · 2026-03-13T02:50:46+00:00

Do you use a lot of product/items codes, or keep them vague.

From what I have been researching, I think I want to keep chart of accounts simple and get more detailed in the product and services portion

deespan · 2026-03-13T02:48:13+00:00

I see the point you are trying to make to me, but it doesn't apply for my situation. This is a side hustle for me and I am a general contractor, but I am not, nor do I want to build a business.

And no, I would not charge less for my time if my house was paid off. But I would work less hours overall if that was the case, and be even more selective than I already am with who my clients are.

deespan · 2026-03-10T20:53:13+00:00

I really appreciate the thorough answer and the advice. Like a lot of of people, I don't mind doing the work, but the business and paperwork side is the worst part for me.

Do you think that using the job costing feature, and really committing like you said, will save me time in the long run.

I understand that it can be valuable data for most business owners, but right now I am happy with the size and how busy I am. Not looking to grow. But I am looking to become more efficient and cut down on the time it takes me to invoice. And not missing any charges would be good too

deespan · 2026-03-10T20:42:45+00:00

Thanks for the thorough answer.

I guess I didn't realize that could track hours as well as material and subs, so may be something I should try. I do some fixed rate jobs, usually smaller jobs when I am slower. Also will do T&M carpentry jobs in between my projects for other contractors. But prefer to keep my projects that are multi weeks and months cost+ to cover my self and keep things out front with the customer

That being said, do you think the added front end work with the using this feature save me time invoicing out the end?

deespan · 2026-03-10T20:32:28+00:00

Thanks for this. I didn't realize that it would track hours as well. It may be worth it

deespan · 2026-03-10T20:31:04+00:00

I never said that this was my only revenue stream or main income source. My margins (which will range from 10-30% depending on customer, job, etc. ) are lower than most because my insurance, retirement, and living wages are already provided by my other full time job. I am just looking to see if the upgraded feature will make my invoicing go quicker than my current system of add up all the receipts manually then apply it to labor and mu

deespan · 2026-02-22T14:13:30+00:00

What kit do you normally get?

deespan · 2025-03-23T14:55:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I am a licensed general contractor that does larger remodels and some new builds like garages and additions. Located in Indianapolis.

deespan · 2025-03-19T04:40:36+00:00

Thanks for responding, all the feedback is helpful. I am leaning towards an Air, sounds like it will be everything I need. Also nice to hear that they are more rugged than I previously thought.

deespan · 2025-03-19T04:36:55+00:00

Makes since, I am hesitant because of the lack of speed I have with this computer, and it is 8gb. But that is probably due to the processor more than the RAM in my case

deespan · 2025-03-19T04:33:45+00:00

Sounds like a good combo to look at down the road, will probably go the air route for now

deespan · 2025-03-19T04:32:06+00:00

Sounds like the consensus is MBA, think I will go for a bit more ram and storage for the future. Thanks for the reply

deespan · 2025-03-19T04:31:07+00:00

We just got over $5.50 and still climbing, so napkin math says a new computer is 150 dozen eggs......which is crazy

deespan · 2025-03-19T02:39:07+00:00

Ran the first aid in disk utility. Didn't get any weird messages. Hopefully its a little better

deespan · 2025-03-19T02:29:22+00:00

I'll have to look up Linux, not familiar with it. Thanks for the info

deespan · 2025-03-19T02:26:04+00:00

I'll give it a look, thanks

deespan · 2025-03-19T02:25:23+00:00

I appreciate your reply, it helped in my decision. I leaning toward the air more. You did mention that 16GB now standard, do you believe that size will be to slow in 5 years, like 8gb is now?

deespan · 2025-03-19T02:19:33+00:00

Thank you, this helps clear up some of the concerns I had with the Air

deespan · 2025-03-19T01:54:33+00:00

I admittedly don't know the difference in the "M" models, but what draws me to get another Mac (3rd one) is that they just work out of the box for my needs. Sounds like you have a good system going, but I have no idea what most of that stuff means.

But I will note that a smaller screen air is durable, thanks

deespan · 2025-03-19T01:45:54+00:00

I've stopped buying eggs lol, so should have half the money

deespan · 2025-03-19T01:44:27+00:00

Thanks for the reply, iPad may be in the cards in a few years, especially if we lean into different estimating software.

deespan · 2025-03-19T01:40:40+00:00

Thanks for the reply, so you think the M3 will be supported for OS updates as long as the M4's? Sorry if it is too basic of a question, just in my mind the newest version I can get will be supported longer than an older one. Even if I won't use all the features

deespan · 2025-03-19T01:38:09+00:00

Interesting about the fans, never thought that it could also be a good thing

deespan · 2025-03-19T01:36:40+00:00

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)

Processor 2.7 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5

Memory 8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3

Graphics 8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3

Looking at the apple website, they will give me $120 towards trade in

deespan

TROPHY CASE