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But most contractors don’t use it to its full potential. Worse, small missteps in setup can throw off estimates, undercut margins, or misclassify job costs.
This guide covers:
✅ How to set up QuickBooks Premier for construction the right way
🛠️ Common issues contractors face and how to fix them
📞 When to call in Biziblaze experts at +1-888-375-8021
Let’s get started.
🔧 1. Set Up Job Costing Correctly From Day One
Job costing is the heart of Premier Contractor. To get it right:
Turn on Job Costing under Edit > Preferences > Jobs & Estimates
Enable Track expenses by job and Items and classes
Add each job as a Customer:Job — not just a line in your invoice
Use service items for labor, materials, permits, etc.
💡 Need help structuring jobs? Biziblaze sets this up remotely. Visit https://biziblaze.com or call +1-888-375-8021
📄 2. Use Estimates That Sync with Actual Costs
Most contractors send quotes using spreadsheets or PDFs, then lose track of how the real job performed. With Premier, you can create estimates, progress invoices, and match them against actual expenses.
Steps:
Create Estimate under the job
Invoice in stages using progress invoicing
Run Job Profitability Summary and Estimate vs. Actual reports monthly
💰 3. Track Retainage and Change Orders Separately
Retainage can skew your income if not handled right. Use a liability account for retainage and track it outside of earned income.
For change orders:
Either revise the original estimate (QuickBooks logs the changes),
Or create new line items for change order approvals
📞 Want help building change order templates? Call +1-888-375-8021.
🧮 4. Watch Out for These Common Mistakes
Contractors often run into:
Duplicate expenses not linked to a job
Subcontractor 1099s not tagged properly
Payroll misclassified under General Expenses
Reports not showing correct job profit margins
Fixing these manually is tedious — Biziblaze can do a same-day file tune-up. Learn how at https://biziblaze.com.
🧾 5. Contractor Reports You Should Use Weekly
Don't just rely on your bank balance. Use these built-in reports:
Job Profitability Detail
Unbilled Costs by Job
Expenses Not Assigned to Jobs
Job Costs by Vendor & Job
Estimates vs. Actuals Summary
Need custom contractor dashboards or exports for your CPA? Call +1-888-375-8021 for setup help.
🔌 6. Multi-User Setup for Office + Field Access
You may have your admin team in the office and a partner or PM working remotely. QuickBooks Premier can be hosted securely, allowing access from any location.
Options:
Use Biziblaze-secured hosting (fast, encrypted, no downtime)
Or keep the company file local and sync over a VPN or dedicated share
Not sure what’s safest? Talk to a Biziblaze tech at +1-888-375-8021
🧯 Emergency Contractor Fixes
Can’t print 1099s for subs?
✅ Re-check vendor tax ID and type, then re-run 1099 Wizard
Sub costs not showing in Job Profitability?
✅ Make sure the bill is linked to a Customer:Job AND uses an item, not just an account
File running slow after tax season?
✅ You may need a condense or rebuild. Call +1-888-375-8021 for cleanup
🏗️ Build Your Back Office Like You Build Homes — On a Strong Foundation
Your QuickBooks setup should give you insights, not confusion. Whether you're estimating new builds or trying to reduce overruns, Premier Contractor Edition can be a game-changer — if it’s set up and maintained correctly.
📞 For expert help, call the Biziblaze Contractor Support Line: +1-888-375-8021
🌐 Get contractor-specific guides, tune-ups, and job-costing support at: https://biziblaze.com