Job costing for general contractors
General contractors carry the most moving parts of any trade: multiple subcontractors, staged material buys, and change orders that hit throughout the build. Jobsheet tracks expected, actual and committed cost per job so you can see a projected final cost while there's still time to manage it.
Subcontractor draws need to be tracked as committed, not just paid
A signed subcontract is a committed cost the day it's signed, even before the first draw is paid. Logging subcontractor cost against the job as commitments happen — not only when checks go out — gives you a realistic projected final cost mid-build.
Change orders are the single biggest source of margin drift
A change order that isn't priced and logged against the job's budget quietly resets your baseline. Update the job's expected cost every time a change order is signed so budget-vs-actual stays meaningful through the whole build.
Staged material buys spread cost across months
Framing package, windows, and finish materials are often bought at different stages of a build, months apart. Logging each buy as it happens — rather than reconciling everything at close-out — is what lets you catch a budget problem in month two of a six-month job.
What to track on every general contracting job
- Subcontractor commitments (framing, mechanical, electrical, finishes)
- Materials by phase (site work, framing, finishes)
- Permits and fees
- Equipment rental
- Supervision and labor
- Contingency allowance
Frequently asked questions
What does 'committed cost' mean in Jobsheet?
It's cost you've agreed to pay — a signed subcontract or a placed material order — that hasn't necessarily been invoiced yet. Tracking it alongside actual cost gives a more honest projected final cost on multi-month builds.
Can I see profit and margin per job, not just per company?
Yes. Every job shows its own expected cost, actual cost and resulting profit and margin, so you can compare which builds are actually performing.