The construction industry is known for its complexity—not just in building structures but also in managing finances. From tracking job costs to handling payroll and ensuring profitability, construction businesses face unique financial challenges that traditional bookkeeping methods often fail to address.
In a recent episode of The Building Code podcast, hosts Zach and Charley sat down with Karine Woodman and Michelle Vesel from 24hr Bookkeeper to discuss how integrating QuickBooks Online (QBO) with Buildertrend can transform financial management for builders.
If you’re a contractor, remodeler, or construction business owner looking for ways to streamline your bookkeeping and make smarter financial decisions, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.
Why Financial Organization Matters for Construction Businesses
One of the biggest pain points for construction companies is financial disorganization. Unlike traditional businesses, construction projects have fluctuating costs, variable timelines, and multiple moving parts—from subcontractor payments to change orders. Without proper financial tracking, you risk:
✅ Inaccurate job costing – Leading to underpricing or overpricing projects
✅ Cash flow issues – Making it difficult to cover expenses and pay employees
✅ Tax season chaos – Struggling to gather financial records when it’s time to file
✅ Missed growth opportunities – Lacking the financial insights needed for scaling
Karine and Michelle emphasize that financial clarity is key to business success—and achieving it starts with the right tools and strategies.
The Power of QuickBooks Online + Buildertrend Integration
For construction businesses, QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Buildertrend are a game-changing duo. The integration between these platforms allows contractors to seamlessly sync financial data, track job costs, and gain real-time insights into their profitability.
Here’s how this integration simplifies financial management:
1. Real-Time Job Costing
One of the most critical aspects of construction bookkeeping is job costing—knowing exactly how much you’re spending on labor, materials, and overhead for each project.
With QBO and Buildertrend working together, you can:
🔹 Track expenses in real time
🔹 Allocate costs directly to specific jobs
🔹 Ensure accurate profit margins for every project
“Job costing is non-negotiable in construction,” says Karine. “If you don’t know your numbers, you’re guessing, and that’s a dangerous place to be.”
2. Automated Invoicing & Payments
Managing invoices manually can lead to delays, missed payments, and cash flow disruptions. The QBO + Buildertrend integration automates invoicing, allowing construction businesses to:
✔️ Generate invoices automatically based on project milestones
✔️ Accept online payments for faster cash flow
✔️ Reduce the risk of unpaid invoices with better tracking
3. Seamless Payroll Management
Paying employees and subcontractors correctly—and on time—is crucial. With Buildertrend’s payroll integration, you can:
🛠️ Accurately track hours and labor costs
🛠️ Ensure tax compliance with proper payroll deductions
🛠️ Simplify payroll processing, saving time and reducing errors
4. Tax Preparation Without the Headache
Tax season is stressful for many construction companies, but staying organized year-round makes it easier. Karine and Michelle stress the importance of keeping records up to date and utilizing QBO’s built-in tax tracking features.
By integrating your financial data with Buildertrend, you can:
📌 Automatically categorize expenses for tax deductions
📌 Generate accurate financial reports for tax filing
📌 Avoid last-minute scrambling to find missing paperwork
Common Financial Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Throughout the podcast episode, Karine and Michelle highlight common mistakes construction businesses make with their finances—and how to fix them.
❌ Mistake #1: Not Separating Business & Personal Finances
🚀 Solution: Keep separate business bank accounts and credit cards to track expenses clearly.
❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Job Costing
🚀 Solution: Use Buildertrend’s job costing tools to track all project-related expenses and ensure profitability.
❌ Mistake #3: Waiting Until Tax Season to Organize Finances
🚀 Solution: Keep bookkeeping up to date throughout the year and consult with a professional accountant.
❌ Mistake #4: Not Leveraging Technology
🚀 Solution: Invest in tools like QBO + Buildertrend to automate and simplify financial management.
Key Takeaways: The Blueprint for Financial Success
Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just starting your construction business, financial organization is the foundation of long-term success. Here are the biggest takeaways from the podcast:
🔹 Job costing is essential – Knowing your numbers prevents costly mistakes
🔹 Automation saves time & money – Use QBO + Buildertrend to streamline invoicing, payroll & tax prep
🔹 Stay proactive with financial tracking – Don’t wait until tax season to get organized
🔹 Leverage technology – The right tools make financial management easier and more efficient
Ready to Take Control of Your Construction Finances?
Don’t let financial disorganization hold your business back. By integrating QuickBooks Online with Buildertrend, you can simplify bookkeeping, make smarter financial decisions, and focus on what you do best—building.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Building Code featuring Karine Woodman & Michelle Vesel here: Listen Now
For more expert bookkeeping tips tailored to construction businesses, follow 24hr Bookkeeper and stay ahead of the game!
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