CountBricks: Construction Job Costing in QuickBooks Online

Why Residential Builders Need Precise Job Costing

In the competitive world of residential construction, precise job costing is crucial. With margins as tight as $650-$1200 per opening, accurate cost tracking can make or break a project. CountBricks integrates real-time voice estimating with QuickBooks Online, providing contractors with financial clarity throughout every project phase.

The Power of QuickBooks Online for Field-Focused Contractors

QuickBooks Online (QBO) offers significant advantages for contractors, especially when paired with CountBricks:

• Access on mobile devices keeps site supervisors connected with the office.
• Automatic bank feeds reduce manual entry and errors.
• Live dashboards provide instant gross profit insights by job.
• Seamless integration with CountBricks eliminates double entry.

How CountBricks Bridges Estimating and Accounting

Traditional workflows often lead to budget blind spots. CountBricks streamlines the process:

• Voice-driven takeoffs create detailed cost codes quickly.
• Materials are priced with live supplier data for accuracy.
• Estimates sync to QBO as customer estimates and budgets.
• Field purchase orders post to QBO in real time.

Setting Up Construction Job Costing in QuickBooks Online

Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Activate Classes and Locations in QBO.
2. Build a Products & Services list for typical assemblies.
3. Import CountBricks cost codes to maintain phase relationships.
4. Turn on Projects in QBO Advanced.
5. Map bank feeds to correct cost codes.
6. Train staff to capture receipts with the QBO mobile app.

Five Pro Tips for Smooth Data Flow

• Start jobs in CountBricks to create Project records in QBO.
• Use distinct numbering for change orders.
• Reconcile supplier price changes weekly.
• Tag subcontractor retainage as a liability class.
• Schedule a monthly three-way match.

Common Pitfalls—and How CountBricks Solves Them

Duplicate Cost Codes

CountBricks ensures consistent coding across devices.

Lost Change Orders

Voice-captured changes sync to QBO, preventing revenue loss.

Overhead Allocation Chaos

Automated journal entries ensure consistent overhead allocation.

Interpreting Reports That Matter to Residential Builders

Three Must-Run QBO Reports

• Project Profit & Loss
• Unbilled Time & Costs
• Cash Flow Forecast

CountBricks enhances reports with detailed drill-downs.

Beyond Job Costing: Leveraging Data for Growth

Mastering job costing in QBO turns historical data into a valuable asset. CountBricks analytics help benchmark projects and recommend strategies, boosting margins and funding growth.

Next Steps with CountBricks

Upgrade from spreadsheets and paper receipts. Visit CountBricks.com to schedule a demo and streamline your workflow.

Case Snapshot: How Rivertown Homes Added 6% to Gross Margin

Rivertown Homes, a custom builder, improved margins by adopting CountBricks and QuickBooks Online. Here's how:

1. Imported historical cost codes into QBO.
2. Field supervisors issued mobile purchase orders.
3. Activated Project P&L dashboards to identify budget trends.

What Made the Difference?

• Real-time visibility with daily cost feeds.
• Unified coding for all expenses.
• Faster change orders with voice capture.

Lessons You Can Apply Today

• Contrast estimated labor hours with actuals weekly.
• Review cost codes exceeding 80% of budget early.
• Ensure final reconciliation before closing projects.

Ready to transform your bottom line? Explore packages at CountBricks.com.