Top 8 apps for tradies

Need an accounting app to keep all your finances in the one place? What about a prepping tool to automate quotes and invoices, streamlining your entire management system? From accounting to plumb bobs and everything in between, these are the apps every tradie needs.

For digital tools Tradies are always on the go – from job to job all day and often into the night. Because you’re often called to jobs at short notice, there’s always the risk you’ll leave an essential tool behind. iHandy Carpenter acts as a quality back-up option in case the worst does happen, and because it lives on your phone, it’s always nearby. Dubbed the ‘most handy carpenter toolkit in the world’, this five-in-one digital toolset includes a plumb bob, surface level, bubble level bar, protractor and ruler.

Available on iOS ($2.99) and Android ($2.69).

For site checklists Many tradies will agree that auding is vital, so having a powerful inspection checklist app in your back pocket can save time and lives! iAuditor provides visibility and insights to help improve safety and standards. Used for more than 50+ inspections in over 80 countries, it allows you to create your own customised checklists, record notes on site, build workflows to manage procedures, and receive automated reports of signed-off inspections.

Available on iOS and Android for free.

For finding work A large portion of tradies work for themselves, which means scouting new work is part of their day-to-day business. But with hipages, that time-consuming task is simplified. Acting as a hub for general contracting work, customers post their jobs online, tradies list their businesses and create customisable profiles, and then the two are matched to get the job done. You can manage projects, collect payments and even receive job updates with this handy app!

Available on iOS and Android for free.

For design inspiration The modern tradie is often asked to work with their customers to create the ideal design, but that doesn’t mean every tradie is also a design whizz. With the Houzz app, you can take advantage of the in-depth database that provides a raft of interior design ideas to help your customers transform their living spaces. The ‘sketch’ feature allows you to draw directly onto Houzz images, and the app also lets customers reach out to tradies and request a quote.

Available on iOS and Android for free.

For job management Rather than having a separate app for timesheets, purchase orders, scheduling and more, Tradify is an all-in-one job management solution for on-the-go tradies. It lets you create and send quotes, invoice customers, report on jobs and even has field service management capabilities. It’s a powerful tool that you can access both in the office on your desktop and when out at worksites on the app. However, the price may put some off. It’s $35 per month for every user, but it’s worth remembering it’s an all-in-one solution, so you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck.

Available on iOS and Android for $35/month, but it’s free to download!

For point of sale There’s nothing worse than chasing up invoices, especially when you’re a tradie who’s sometimes managing hundreds of jobs every month. The Square Point of Sale app is designed to alleviate that stress by giving your customers the option to pay in person with their debit or credit card. With the app, your smartphone becomes the mobile payment device, even if you’re in an area without service thanks to the offline payment mode. You’ll need to buy a card reader, and Square does charge a 1.9 per cent fee on each transaction, but the overall convenience might make it worthwhile.

Available on iOS and Android for free.

For invoicing If you’d rather not fork out every month for a comprehensive job management app, there are plenty of cheaper options for separate tasks. When it comes to invoicing, you want to make sure the software you purchase is solid and won’t lead to errors that affect your bank balance. Invoice2go is designed for the busy tradie who doesn’t have time to sit at their desk every night and sort through countless invoices. The app streamlines the invoicing process, allowing you to bill customers with just a few taps, keep track of payments and oversee your payables and receivables at a glance.

Available on iOS and Android starting from $14.99 per month, but it’s free to download!

For accounting There’s a range of accounting apps on the market, but most tradies want a streamlined tool that doesn’t always need to throw you in the deep end with complex figures and unnecessary reports. Reckon One is the app for tradies who are always on the move and don’t necessarily have the time – nor the desire – to manage their books. Easy estimates, taxable payments annual reports (TPAR), tax lodgement and total job management are all included.

Available on iOS and Android starting from $5 per month, but it’s free to download!