Contractor job costing from estimate to month-end
A job estimate and the books need to describe the same work. This reading path follows a project from the costs included in the estimate, through consistent cost codes, to the month-end questions that reveal expenses left in miscellaneous accounts.
Choose your starting point
Read the estimate guide before building or revising a bid. Move to the cost-code guide when field activity and accounting need a common structure. Use the miscellaneous-cost audit when reviewing actual results before closing the month.
Start here
Job Costing for Contractors: What Every Estimate Must Track
See which labor, material, subcontract, equipment, overhead, and change-order details a contractor estimate needs for useful job-cost reporting.
Read guideHow to Build a Contractor Job Cost Code List
Build a short, stable contractor cost code list that connects estimates, timesheets, purchase orders, invoices, and actual job margin without burying overruns in misc.
Read guideHow to Audit Miscellaneous Job Costs Before Month-End
Clear uncoded contractor costs before close with a receipt-to-job review queue, cutoff checks, owner signoff, and a worked margin reconciliation.
Read guide
All contractor job costing guides
- Job Costing for Contractors: What Every Estimate Must Track
See which labor, material, subcontract, equipment, overhead, and change-order details a contractor estimate needs for useful job-cost reporting.
- How to Build a Contractor Job Cost Code List
Build a short, stable contractor cost code list that connects estimates, timesheets, purchase orders, invoices, and actual job margin without burying overruns in misc.
- How to Audit Miscellaneous Job Costs Before Month-End
Clear uncoded contractor costs before close with a receipt-to-job review queue, cutoff checks, owner signoff, and a worked margin reconciliation.