Stop Losing Money on Jobs That Look Profitable

Are you a contractor or trade professional struggling to understand your true project costs in QuickBooks? You’re not alone.

I’m a construction bookkeeper who specializes in helping contractors and skilled trades optimize their QuickBooks systems. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor with construction and trades industry expertise, I help contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, and other trade professionals gain financial clarity, maximize profits, and save thousands through proper job costing and tax optimization.

Two Rivers Bookkeeping serves contractors and trade professionals throughout Wisconsin, including Manitowoc County, Green Bay, the Fox Valley, and Northeast Wisconsin, with secure remote services available nationwide.

What Makes Two Rivers Bookkeeping Different for Contractors & Trade Professionals?

Unlike general bookkeepers who treat every business the same, I understand the unique challenges of contractor and skilled trades work:

QuickBooks Specialization

I focus on QuickBooks systems for contractors and trade professionals, ensuring your setup works the way construction and trades businesses actually operate, not like a retail business.

Construction & Trades Industry Expertise

Knowledge of job costing, service call tracking, material management, irregular cash flow, and the seasonal nature of contracting and trades work. I understand that Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals face unique challenges, including winter slowdowns and spring startup costs.

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certified

Advanced expertise in setting up and optimizing QuickBooks for construction and trades workflows, ensuring you get maximum value from your accounting system.

No-Judgment Approach

Whether your QuickBooks setup is a complete mess or you’re starting from scratch, I’ve seen it all. My cleanup and catch-up services are designed to get you organized without any embarrassment.

Remote Accessibility

Access your financial data 24/7 from any job site through secure cloud-based systems. Check cash flow on your phone before making equipment purchases.

Profit-Focused Results

My goal isn’t just to balance your books – it’s to help you identify which jobs make money and which ones don’t, so you can build a more profitable business.

A Typical Client Transformation

How Professional Bookkeeping Can Save a Growing Trade Professional Thousands in Year One.

The Scenario

Consider an electrical contracting business in Wisconsin that has grown from a one-person operation to a team of 8 electricians handling both residential service calls and commercial projects. Despite staying busy and appearing successful, the owner is constantly stressed about cash flow, especially during the challenging winter months when work slows down. They can’t understand why some months are profitable while others leave them scrambling to make payroll.

The QuickBooks file shows classic signs of rapid growth without proper financial systems. Transactions aren’t categorized properly, job costs are mixed together, and there’s no clear picture of which types of projects actually generate profit. The owner spends 6-8 hours every weekend trying to catch up on paperwork, and tax season is always chaotic. This is particularly challenging for Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals who need to plan carefully for seasonal fluctuations.

Common Discovery Findings

In situations like this, I typically find that contractors and trade professionals bid on jobs based on gut feeling and competitor prices rather than actual cost data. A QuickBooks analysis usually reveals several critical issues:

  • Job costing systems that don’t provide meaningful project profitability data
  • Service calls and larger projects mixed together without proper tracking
  • Personal and business expenses that aren’t properly separated
  • Significant tax deductions being missed due to poor categorization
  • Unpredictable cash flow caused by lack of receivables tracking systems

The Transformation Process

A comprehensive cleanup and reorganization plan would typically include:

  • Restructuring the chart of accounts for construction and trades workflows
  • Implementing proper job costing for service calls vs. larger projects
  • Creating systems to track labor, materials, and overhead by job type
  • Setting up service call tracking for trade professionals
  • Organizing months of backlogged transactions and receipts
  • Training staff on new processes for ongoing maintenance

Expected Results

Based on similar situations with Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals, this type of business could expect to see significant improvements within 6 months:

  • Recovered deductible expenses often total $15,000-$30,000, significantly reducing tax burden
  • Profit margin analysis frequently reveals that certain job types are 25-40% more profitable than others
  • Seasonal cash flow planning eliminates the stress of winter slowdowns and spring startup costs
  • Reduced administrative time from hours per week to minutes
  • Overall profit increases of 10-15% are common when pricing decisions are based on actual cost data

The biggest surprise for many contractors and trade professionals? They often discover that the jobs they thought were least profitable are actually their highest-margin work. This leads to strategic shifts that dramatically improve their bottom line.

For Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals, proper financial planning also means better preparation for seasonal challenges, equipment financing, and growth opportunities. Learn why emergency cash reserves are critical for trade businesses.

Many contractors and trade professionals find their investment in professional bookkeeping pays for itself through improved profitability tracking, better cash flow management, and maximized tax deductions.

What to Expect – My Proven Process

We’ll discuss your specific challenges, business goals, and current QuickBooks situation. If you’re already using QuickBooks, I’ll analyze your existing setup to identify opportunities for better job costing and cost savings. This isn’t a sales pitch – it’s a genuine consultation where you’ll gain valuable insights about your financial systems regardless of whether we work together.

Based on our discovery call and QuickBooks analysis (if applicable), I’ll create a custom proposal that addresses your specific needs, timeline, and budget. Every solution is tailored to your business size, complexity, and goals. For Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals, I also consider seasonal factors and local business challenges.

I’ll configure your QuickBooks system specifically for your type of contracting or trades work, including proper job costing, chart of accounts, and integration with your existing workflows.

Whether you need months or years of transactions organized, I’ll handle the cleanup professionally and efficiently. Most contractors and trade professionals are surprised to discover that better job costing reveals they’re more profitable than they thought.

Regular bookkeeping services, financial reporting, and proactive insights to help you make better business decisions. You’ll receive monthly reports that actually make sense for your construction or trades business, including seasonal planning recommendations for Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals.

As your business grows, I’ll adjust your systems and provide optimized reports that support better cash flow management, tax planning, and profit maximization.

Investment & Next Steps

Personalized Solutions, Not Cookie-Cutter Packages

Every contractor’s and trade professional’s business is unique, which is why I don’t offer generic packages. Instead, I create customized solutions based on your specific needs, business size, and current bookkeeping situation.

Here’s How My Pricing Works:

Step 1: Free Discovery Call

We’ll spend 30 minutes discussing your business, current challenges, and bookkeeping goals. No sales pressure, just genuine insights about your situation.

Step 2: Current State Analysis

If you’re already using QuickBooks Online, I’ll analyze your existing setup to understand exactly what needs attention. If you’re starting fresh, I’ll assess your transaction volume and complexity.

Step 3: Personalized Proposal

Based on our conversation and analysis, I’ll create a custom proposal that addresses your specific needs and fits your budget.

Investment Range:

Depending on your business size, complexity, and needs, monthly bookkeeping services typically range from $300 to $3,000. Most contractors and trade professionals find their investment pays for itself through improved profitability tracking and tax savings.

What Influences Your Investment:

  • Monthly transaction volume
  • Number of active jobs requiring cost tracking
  • Service calls vs. project-based work complexity
  • Complexity of your current QuickBooks setup
  • Amount of catch-up or cleanup work needed
  • Assignment of A/R and A/P
  • Assignment of payroll services

Most contractors and trade professionals save significantly more in their first year than my services cost, thanks to improved job profitability tracking, better cash flow management, and maximized tax deductions.

Picture of Kate Gadd, professional bookkeeper who specializes in nonprofits

Schedule your free consulation today

Ready to stop guessing about your profitability and start making data-driven decisions? Let’s discuss how professional bookkeeping can transform your construction or trades business.

Get Your Free Discovery Call & Custom Proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, I specialize exclusively in QuickBooks Online because it’s the most construction- and trades-friendly platform available. This specialization enables me to offer more in-depth expertise and a faster setup than general bookkeepers.

Absolutely! As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, I’ll set up proper job costing from scratch and can often help reconstruct historical project profitability during catch-up work. This works for both larger construction projects and individual service calls.

QuickBooks uses bank-level encryption and security protocols. Your data is actually more secure in the cloud than on local computers, with automatic backups and protection against hardware failures. I take additional precautions on my server and computer to ensure the security of your data. Learn more about how remote bookkeeping actually works and why it’s often more secure than traditional methods.

During our free discovery call, I’ll assess your business complexity, transaction volume, and specific needs. If you’re already using QuickBooks Online, I’ll analyze your current setup to provide an accurate proposal. Pricing typically ranges from $300-$3,000 monthly, depending on your requirements, and most contractors and trade professionals find the investment pays for itself quickly through improved profitability and tax savings.

No, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all packages. Every contractor’s and trade professional’s business is unique, so I create personalized solutions based on your specific needs, current situation, and budget. This ensures you only pay for services that truly benefit your business.

While I’m based in Wisconsin and understand local contractors’ and trade professionals’ challenges, I provide remote services nationwide. My expertise in seasonal construction and trades challenges, as well as cash flow planning, benefits contractors and trade professionals across the nation.

I work with a wide range of contractors and skilled trades, including general contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, roofers, painters, landscaping professionals, flooring specialists, and other construction-related trades.

Related Services & Resources

Related Services & Resources:

Helpful Resources:

Supporting Content & Industry Insights

Recent Blog Posts:

“5 QuickBooks Features Every Contractor & Trade Professional Should Use” – Discover the QuickBooks tools that can streamline your job costing and improve project profitability tracking for both construction projects and service calls.

“How Much Should Contractors & Trade Professionals Keep in Reserve for Cash Flow?” – Learn the industry benchmarks for maintaining healthy cash reserves during seasonal fluctuations, with QuickBooks reporting tips for construction and trades businesses.

“The Real Cost of DIY QuickBooks Setup for Contractors & Trade Professionals” – Case study showing how professional bookkeeping services typically pay for themselves within the first year through proper QuickBooks configuration for construction and trades workflows.

The best time to get your books organized was three years ago. The second-best time is right now.

Ready to Build a More Profitable Construction or Trades Business?

You didn’t become a contractor or trade professional to spend your evenings doing paperwork or wondering if your jobs are actually profitable. You started your business to build something meaningful and provide for your family.
Professional bookkeeping gives you the financial clarity to focus on what you do best – delivering quality work for your customers – while ensuring every project contributes to your long-term success.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for decades, it’s never too late to gain control of your finances and optimize your profitability. Learn more about making the switch to professional bookkeeping support and why it’s one of the best investments you can make in your business.

For Wisconsin contractors and trade professionals, this is especially important given our seasonal challenges and the need for careful cash flow planning.

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Service Areas

Two Rivers Bookkeeping proudly serves contractors and trade professionals throughout:

Wisconsin Locations

  • Manitowoc County (Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Kiel, Valders, Mishicot)
  • Fox Valley (Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac)
  • Sheboygan County (Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Plymouth, Kohler)
  • Northeast Wisconsin
  • Throughout Wisconsin

Remote Services Available

Professional QuickBooks and construction/trades bookkeeping services are available nationwide through secure cloud-based systems. As a virtual bookkeeping specialist, I provide expert remote support that gives you the same level of service and expertise as an in-house bookkeeper, with the added benefits of increased accessibility and lower costs.

Two Rivers Bookkeeping provides professional QuickBooks Online services and construction bookkeeping support for contractors and trade professionals in Wisconsin and nationwide. Secure cloud-based solutions with 24/7 access and job costing expertise from a certified ProAdvisor who specializes in the unique financial challenges of the construction and skilled trades industries.

Ready to Transform Your Business Finances?

Stop wondering if your jobs are profitable. Start knowing your numbers with confidence.

Every day you wait is another day of potential lost profits, missed deductions, and financial stress. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor specializing in contractors and trade professionals, I’ve helped hundreds of businesses just like yours gain the financial clarity they need to thrive.

Whether your books are perfectly organized or a complete disaster, whether you’re a solo contractor or managing a growing team, there’s no judgment here – just professional expertise designed to get you where you need to be.

Your free 30-minute discovery call is just one click away.

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Most contractors and trade professionals are surprised by how much money they’ve been leaving on the table. Don’t let another month pass without knowing your true profitability.

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Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor serving small businesses, nonprofits, and churches in Wisconsin and nationwide. Specializing in books cleanup and monthly bookkeeping services.

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