Different trades create different bookkeeping patterns, but the recurring issues are familiar: HST, payroll, subcontractors, holdbacks, project-related spending and year-end handoff.
Every trades business has different bookkeeping needs. The examples below show common recordkeeping issues; the actual engagement is limited to the services selected in writing.
Electricians often run lean operations with a mix of residential service calls, new construction work, and commercial maintenance contracts. You're dealing with material markup, ESA permit costs, and potentially apprentice wages on top of your own draws. Cash flow can be uneven when commercial jobs take 30-60 days to pay.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic subcontractor and holdback tracking where applicable. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month and annual T5018 filing for $200/year plus $10 per subcontractor. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees, annual T5018 filing, and one A/P or A/R workflow.
Full electrician bookkeeping page →Plumbing contractors often mix service calls, renovation work, new construction, material purchases, subcontractor payments, and vehicles or equipment. That creates a steady flow of receipts, HST, and job-related spending that needs to stay organized.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic holdback and subcontractor payment tracking where applicable. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees plus more of the financial administration.
Full plumber bookkeeping page →HVAC businesses have seasonal revenue patterns, recurring maintenance contracts, and high-ticket equipment installs alongside smaller service calls. You may carry inventory, deal with warranty claims, and run a small team of service techs on top of your own work.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current through seasonal swings. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month, including Wagepoint, direct deposit, CRA remittances, T4/T4A, ROEs, and normal payroll-related WSIB/EHT handling. Books + Back Office includes that payroll scope plus one A/P or A/R workflow.
Full HVAC bookkeeping page →A defined invoicing or A/R workflow may be available under Books + Back Office. Progress billing, draw administration, holdback treatment, and approval controls must be expressly described in the written scope.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic holdback and subcontractor payment tracking where applicable. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month and annual T5018 filing for $200/year plus $10 per subcontractor. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees, annual T5018 filing, and one A/P or A/R workflow.
Full GC bookkeeping page →Landscaping businesses face extreme seasonality. Most revenue comes in spring through fall, but expenses (equipment, insurance, fleet) run year-round. Many landscapers also manage recurring maintenance contracts alongside one-time installs, and run seasonal crews that bring payroll and WSIB complexity.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic subcontractor and holdback tracking where applicable. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month and annual T5018 filing for $200/year plus $10 per subcontractor. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees, annual T5018 filing, and one A/P or A/R workflow.
Framers and finish carpenters often work as subcontractors to GCs and deal with holdbacks, square-footage billing, material cost tracking, and payment schedules tied to milestones. The cash flow gap between completing work and receiving payment is often the biggest stress in the business.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic holdback and subcontractor payment tracking where applicable. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month and annual T5018 filing for $200/year plus $10 per subcontractor. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees, annual T5018 filing, and one A/P or A/R workflow.
Roofing businesses often scale up quickly with crews, run high material costs (shingles, membranes, flashing), and deal with insurance restoration jobs alongside standard installs. Warranty work needs to be tracked carefully so it doesn't skew your monthly numbers.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic subcontractor and holdback tracking where applicable. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month and annual T5018 filing for $200/year plus $10 per subcontractor. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees, annual T5018 filing, and one A/P or A/R workflow.
Painting businesses tend to have lower material costs relative to labour, which means your profitability hinges on how efficiently you quote and schedule. Many painters use subcontractors for larger commercial jobs and need T5018s filed. Cash collection on residential jobs can also be challenging.
Monthly bookkeeping keeps the accounts reconciled and HST current, with basic subcontractor payment tracking. Contractor Bookkeeping can add payroll for $250/month and annual T5018 filing for $200/year plus $10 per subcontractor. Books + Back Office includes payroll for up to five employees, annual T5018 filing, and one A/P or A/R workflow.
If you run a trades, construction or contracting business in Ontario, start with a free Contractor Books Check. We'll tell you whether the monthly service is a fit and what the best next step is.
Get Your Free Contractor Books CheckYes. Moyano & Co. is built specifically around contractors and trades businesses rather than trying to serve every type of small business.
Moyano & Co. works with electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, general contractors, framers, carpenters, roofers, painters, landscapers, and other trades and construction businesses in Ontario. If you are unsure whether the service fits your trade, start with the free Contractor Books Check.
We prepare and file HST returns at the agreed filing frequency based on complete records and client approval. Quick Method eligibility, elections, revocations, and tax-planning decisions remain with the client and tax adviser.
Basic job or project coding may be separately scoped when the records support it. Detailed job-profitability, WIP, labour-burden, overhead-allocation, cost-to-complete and advisory reporting are not included in standard Contractor Bookkeeping or Books + Back Office.
Start with a free 15-minute Contractor Books Check. No QuickBooks access, no preparation, and no obligation.
We will tell you what we think the best next step is, even if that is not hiring us.