The best job software for builders and carpenters
Staged quotes, variations signed off before you do the work, deposits and progress claims that go out on time, and subbies who turn up on the right day. Here's what fits a renovation or small building business, in AUD with GST shown.
Which one fits your business
Renovators & small buildersTradify Pro
Progress invoicing and subcontractor scheduling from Pro ($57.20 per user inc GST), and timesheets for your crew.
Bigger crew, fewer jobsServiceM8
Long jobs mean a low job count, so ServiceM8 Starter ($29/mo inc GST, 50 jobs, unlimited users) can cover a whole crew. Partial and progress invoices from Starter.
New builds from plansLook at estimating tools too
If you price whole houses from drawings, a dedicated construction estimating tool may suit you better than a job app. We haven't reviewed those yet.
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What the software should do on a renovation
The features that matter, app by app
| Checked 20 Oct 2026 | Tradify | ServiceM8 | Fergus | AroFlo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress / partial invoicing | Pro and up | Starter and up | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Subcontractor scheduling | Pro and up | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Timesheets | Pro and up | All plans | Both plans | Yes |
| Compliance forms & certificates | Pro and up | Growing ($79) and up | Professional | Compliance & safety forms |
| GPS tracking of staff | Staff locations on schedule; GPS not stated | Staff GPS & dispatch map, all plans | Both plans | Paid add-on |
| Supplier price lists / integrations | Price list & supplier bill import | Emailed price list import, all plans | Reece, Tradelink, Ideal Electrical & more (Professional) | 600+ suppliers incl. Reece, Rexel |
| iPhone and Android apps | iPhone, iPad, Android | iPhone, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
The builder's 14-day trial checklist
- Build a staged quoteFour stages with materials and labour in each. Send it, then accept it on your phone as the client.
- Raise a variation and get it approvedThe client should approve the extra cost in writing before you do the work. See how each app handles it.
- Invoice a deposit, then a progress claim30% on acceptance, then the next stage. Check the job shows what's been billed and what's left.
- Schedule your subbiesCheck whether subcontractors need a paid user, and whether they can see only their own jobs.
- Track crew hours against the jobTimesheets from the phone, then compare hours against what you quoted.
- Put your licence number on every quoteQueensland's QBCC, for example, expects your licence number on contracts and quotes. Make sure the app adds it automatically.
What a building business would pay
Entry plans per month. Builders usually do fewer, longer jobs, so check the low job counts. Tick "timesheets" in the calculator to see the plan you'd need.
| Business | Tradify | ServiceM8 | Fergus | AroFlo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader, quiet month1 user · 25 jobs/mo | $52.80Lite | $0Free | $53Essentials, GST not stated | from $240per month, GST not stated |
| Sole trader, steady1 user · 45 jobs/mo | $52.80Lite | $29Starter | $53Essentials, GST not stated | from $240per month, GST not stated |
| Sole trader, flat out1 user · 100 jobs/mo | $52.80Lite | $79Growing | $53Essentials, GST not stated | from $240per month, GST not stated |
| You + apprentice2 users · 80 jobs/mo | $105.60Lite | $79Growing | $106Essentials, GST not stated | from $240per month, GST not stated |
| 3 vans3 users · 120 jobs/mo | $158.40Lite | $79Growing | $159Essentials, GST not stated | from $240per month, GST not stated |
| 5 people5 users · 200 jobs/mo | $264Lite | $149Premium | $265Essentials, GST not stated | from $400per month, GST not stated |
| 8 people, service work8 users · 450 jobs/mo | $422.40Lite | $149Premium | $424Essentials, GST not stated | from $640per month, GST not stated |
Cheapest entry plan for each business, per month. Tradify converted to inc GST; ServiceM8 prices include GST. Highlighted = lowest where GST is known. Needs compliance forms? Plans change: use the calculator.
Specialist software for builders
Bigger jobs need more than a job app. We compare each layer separately, with AUD prices and GST shown.
Builders ask
What's the best job management software for small builders?
For renovators and small builders running several jobs at once, Tradify Pro lists progress invoicing and subcontractor scheduling ($57.20 per user inc GST). ServiceM8 lists partial and progress invoices from Starter ($29 a month inc GST) with unlimited users. For new builds from plans, a dedicated estimating tool may suit you better.
Can these apps do progress claims?
Tradify lists progress invoicing from Pro and ServiceM8 lists partial and progress invoices from Starter. We couldn't confirm progress invoicing for Fergus or AroFlo from their pricing pages.
The "before you switch" checklist
12 things to test in the free trial, plus a one-page plan for moving your customers, price list and open jobs across without losing a week. One email with the checklist, then a short note when prices change.
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