Construction
Software Setup
Software Implementation
Software Optimisation
Software Training
Software Support
For Builders
Get your building business running the way it should be with the right software, set up properly, with your team trained and supported.
Is this for you?
You're good at building.
Admin is the problem.
You get into the building business to spend your evenings catching up on quotes, chasing timesheets or trying to figure out why the numbers in Xero do not match what you think you have made. But that is where a lot of builders end up.
i'M A RESIDENTIAL BUILDER
You’re doing custom homes, knockdown rebuilds or extensions who has grown past the sole trader stage but is still running admin like one
I'm a renovator
Juggling multiple projects who needs a faster, more consistent way to quote, track variations and invoice without things slipping through the cracks
I'm a small commercial builder
Taking on more complex work but using tools designed for simpler jobs, with no real job costing, subcontractor management or financial visibility
I'm a builder already using software
You already use software like Buildxact, Builda Price, MyConstruct or Fergus and wants it set up and working properly, not just switched on
The reality for most builders
if this sounds like your business, we can help
you're running your business from your phone, inbox & spreadsheets
- Your quotes are in one place, schedules in another, invoices somewhere else.
- Your systems don't talk to each other so the data gets re-entered mamually.
- Someone always has the wrong version and when it breaks it costs you money.
You bought software but the team aren't using it
- The office is on the system, the site crew is still on WhatsApp and paper run sheets.
- Variations never make it back into the job and time doesn't get logged properly.
- The data you're looking at doesn't reflect what's actually happening on site.
You don't know if your jobs are making money until they're done
- No real job costing and no live view of budgeted versus actual costs.
- By the time you find out a job went sideways it's too late to do anything about it.
- You're quoting the next job on gut feel because the numbers are buried in emails and invoices.
Your xero or accounting software isn't connected properly
- Supplier invoices are piling up unmatched and job costs end up in the wrong categories.
- Progress claims are tracked in a spreadsheet instead of the system.
- Your accountant spends their time cleaning up data instead of giving you useful advice.
You've grown but your admin hasn't caught up
- What worked when it was just you doesn't work with subbies, admin staff and multiple jobs on the go.
- You know you need better systems but don't have time to research and implement them.
- The business is growing faster than the processes that hold it together.
you know you need software but not sure how to choose
- Every platform promises to solve everything and the demos all look fine.
- You've either been burned by a bad recommendation before or you're paralysed by the choice.
- Meanwhile you're still on spreadsheets.
Whatever is slowing you down
tell us where you're stuck and we'll show you the way out
Builders get stuck in different places.
Here is what that looks like and what changes when it gets fixed:
Buried in constant admin
We find where time is being wasted and streamline your systems so you can focus on the work that actually matters.
Messy job tracking
We set up job management software so everything is tracked in one place and nothing slips through the cracks.
Team not in
sync
We train your team by role so everyone follows the same process and daily operations run without you in the middle.
Cash flow stress
We handle your bookkeeping, invoicing and reconciliations so cash comes in smoothly and your numbers are always current.
Quotes taking too long
We build estimating templates and workflows matched to your job types so you can turn around accurate, professional quotes in a fraction of the time.
Disconnected systems
We connect your tools so data flows automatically between systems, cutting double-handling and saving hours every week.
No visibility
on profit
We build simple reports that show where your money is going, which jobs are performing, and how to protect your margins
Wearing too many hats
We take admin, marketing and bookkeeping off your plate so you can focus on running jobs and growing the business.
What good looks like
What your building company looks like when it's running properly
- Quotes go out faster and look professional every time, built from templates matched to your job types.
- Variations are captured, priced and approved in the system, not lost in a text thread.
- Your team logs time on site, data flows through to invoicing without anyone re-entering it.
- You can see at any point whether a job is on budget, not just when it is finished.
- Xero reflects reality, BAS time is straightforward and your bookkeeper is actually useful.
- When you take on a new staff member or a new job type, you have someone to call
wHAT OTHER BUILDERS SAY
"This has been some of the best money I've ever spent.
There’s just such a clear path on the back end for me at the moment. It’s been unreal.”
Max Cameron
Exquisite Building
Let's get your building business sorted
No generic setups. We build around your business.
Getting there does not have to mean months of trial and error or a generic setup that barely fits. Here is what the process looks like:
setup & integration
Your software configured from scratch around your workflows, job types and team. Not a generic default.
software
training
Role-specific training for your estimator, admin and site team so the whole business uses the system, not just one person.
ongoing support
When new staff arrive, things break or the business grows, you have someone to call who already knows your setup.
The right software only works if your team actually uses it.
Most builders find the platform is not the problem. It is the setup, the training and whether each person understands how it makes their job easier. Get that right and adoption takes care of itself.
Weighing up your options
Doing nothing vs DIY vs TradiePad
- Doing Nothing
- DIY Setup
- TradiePad Setup
|
Doing Nothing
|
DIY Setup
|
TradiePad Setup
|
|
Setup time & quality |
No setup. You have the same problems continue, same time wasted every week. | Weeks of trial and error, often never fully finished or consistently used. | Configured around your job types, team and workflows from the start. |
Templates & workflows |
Spreadsheets and copy-paste. Every quote looks different and takes too long. | Generic defaults that don't match how you price or what you build. | Templates, assemblies and workflows built to match how your business actually works. |
Training |
None. Your team keeps doing it their own way. | One-size-fits-all walkthrough, if any. Site teams ignored entirely. | Role-specific training for your estimator, admin and site team at their own pace. |
Xero & Accounting Integration |
No connection. Double entry, reconciliation nightmares, blind on margins. | Connected but not mapped correctly. Data flows into the wrong places. | Properly mapped to your chart of accounts, tax codes and cost categories. |
Job Costing Visibility |
No visibility. You find out if a job lost money when it's invoiced. | Feature exists but most builders never get it working correctly. | Live budget vs actual on every job from quote through to final invoice. |
Ongoing support |
None. You're on your own when things change or grow. | Software helpdesk for technical issues. Nothing for your business processes. | Someone who knows your setup you can call when things change or break. |
Reduce fuel costs |
No scheduling logic, no route planning, no job notes — you drive to every quote and back to every job twice. | Scheduling exists but is not optimised for routes or job sequencing, return trips still common. | Better scheduling, detailed job notes and remote quoting mean fewer trips and less zig-zagging every day. |
Outcome |
Quoting stays slow, margins stay invisible, admin stays after hours. | Software gets used inconsistently, value never fully realised. | Faster quoting, better cost visibility and a system your whole team actually uses. |
Recommendations, Advice, Migration & Setup Of Tools
we can help you with the following builder software
Looking for expert independent advice on the best Building & Construction software on the market? We thoroughly trial, test and work with the apps we recommend so we can find the best options for your business.
Assignar
Builda Price
Buildertrend
Fergus
Formitize
Google Workspace
ready to find the right software?
Kynection
MyConstruct
NextMinute
Nexvia
Prime Ecosystem
What our customers say
client review
Charielle Sowers
Owen Homes
What our customers say
client review
Scott Benson
Legend Homes
The TradiePad Difference
We started as tradies. We know how this actually works.
TradiePad has been helping trade and construction businesses across Australia sort out their software, bookkeeping and systems since 2010.
Most builders who come to us have already tried to get their software working on their own, or have had a generic setup done that did not stick.
We are a Buildxact Silver Partner and have deep experience across Builda Price, MyConstruct, Fergus and the other platforms builders use most.
We are not tied to any platform. Every recommendation is based on what fits your business, and every setup is built around how you actually work.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
WE CREATED TRADIEPAD TO HELP BUSINESSES IMPROVE THEIR TECH
Since 2010 we have worked hands-on with hundreds of building businesses, from sole traders taking on their first custom home build to small commercial builders managing teams across multiple sites.
Let's chat about your business
book a call
To avoid playing phone tag book a date and time that suits you to have a quick chat about how we can help your business.
I sent an enquiry, now what?
01
The first step is a no obligation 15-minute intro call to see how we can help.
02
If you’re ready to move forward we’ll then conduct a 1-on-1 “Scoping Session” to determine the right solutions for you.
03
Once we’ve determined your specific needs we will send you a TradiePad proposal or recommendation tailored to your business.
Builder FAQs
Answering Your Common Builder Questions
For most small residential builders, Buildxact or Builda Price are strong starting points. Both are designed for the Australian market, integrate well with Xero and are built around how residential builders actually quote and manage jobs. The right choice depends on your job types, team size and how you currently work. A free 15-minute call is the fastest way to get a clear answer for your situation.
Buildxact and Builda Price are estimating-focused and best suited to fixed-price residential builders who need strong quoting, digital takeoffs and job costing. MyConstruct is a simpler all-in-one platform covering the full job lifecycle without the complexity. Fergus is job management focused with strong timesheet and cost tracking, better suited to smaller building and renovation businesses where labour visibility is the priority.
In most cases the platform is not the problem. If your team is not using the system consistently, your Xero integration is not working properly, or your templates do not match how you price, the issue is usually configuration and training rather than the software itself. A Power Hour review will tell you which it is before you spend money on something new.
The most common reason software fails in building businesses is a poor setup and generic training. When the system is configured around how your business actually works, and each person is trained on their specific role rather than given a one-size-fits-all walkthrough, adoption follows. The platform matters, but the setup and training matter more.
Yes. A migration involves setting up the new system properly before going live, importing your key data and running both systems briefly in parallel so nothing falls through the cracks. The transition is managed so your team is trained and ready before the switch happens.
The most important things are whether it handles your job types and quoting process, how well it connects with other internal software like Xero, whether it has a usable mobile experience for your site crew, and how the variation and job costing workflows are structured. A platform that looks good in a demo but does not match how your business actually works will not get used.
For most building businesses yes. Cloud-based software means your site crew, estimator and admin can all access the same information in real time from wherever they are. It also removes the risk of data being trapped on one computer. The tradeoff is that it requires a reliable internet connection and a subscription rather than a one-off purchase.
It depends on the size of your business and the complexity of your workflows, but most building businesses are up and running on a properly configured system within two to four weeks. That includes configuration, Xero integration, template builds and initial team training.
Before you add a single job you should have your cost categories and cost codes configured, your estimating templates built, your tax rates set correctly, your user roles and permissions assigned and your Xero integration mapped. Starting without these in place means every job you enter will need to be cleaned up later.
Most platforms accept CSV imports for clients, suppliers and basic job data. The key is cleaning your data before importing, including removing duplicates, standardising naming conventions and checking ABNs. A messy import creates problems that are harder to fix once they are inside the system than before.
Yes and it is usually the safest approach. Running the old and new systems in parallel for four to six weeks means your team can adjust gradually, existing jobs finish in the familiar system and new jobs start in the correct one. The overlap period needs to be managed carefully to avoid double-handling becoming a permanent habit.
At a minimum most building businesses need their job management software connected to Xero for accounting, a supplier pricelist integration for live material pricing and a timesheet or payroll tool if you have employees. Everything else depends on your workflow. The risk is adding integrations that sound useful but add complexity without improving how the business actually runs day to day.
Most major building material suppliers in Australia can connect directly to estimating platforms so their live pricing feeds into your quotes automatically. Setting this up requires registering with the supplier trade portal, mapping their product catalogue to your cost categories and testing that prices update correctly. Without this connection your estimates are based on prices you entered manually, which go out of date quickly.
Your estimator needs access to quotes, templates and job costing but not payroll or financial reports. Your admin needs invoicing, supplier bills and scheduling but not the ability to edit completed quotes. Your site manager needs job cards, checklists and timesheet access but not financial data. Giving everyone admin access is one of the most common setup mistakes and leads to data being changed or deleted accidentally.
The most common causes are a setup that does not match how your team actually works and training that was too generic or happened too long ago. When each person is shown how the system makes their specific job easier adoption improves quickly. Role-specific training for your estimator, admin and site team makes a bigger difference than another all-hands walkthrough.
Site crews resist software when it feels like extra work on top of a physical job. The key is showing them specifically how it reduces the things they find annoying, such as, fewer phone calls from the office asking for updates, clearer job information before they arrive and less time spent at the end of the day. Short practical training focused on their daily tasks is more effective than a full system overview.
The whole team. Your estimator, admin and site manager all use the software differently and need training specific to their role. Training only the person who signed up is one of the main reasons software fails to get used consistently across a business.
Training is broken into role-specific sessions rather than one long all-hands session. Each session focuses on the tasks that person does every day in the system. For most businesses the initial training is completed across two to three sessions over one to two weeks, with follow-up available as questions come up once the team is using it for real jobs.
This is one of the most common reasons systems deteriorate over time. When new staff are not trained properly they develop their own workarounds and the consistency breaks down. Ongoing support means new starters can be trained on your specific setup rather than having to figure it out themselves or learn bad habits from whoever sits next to them
Usually yes. After twelve months of unguided use most businesses have developed habits and workarounds that were never intended. A retrain is not starting from scratch — it is identifying which habits are costing time or creating data problems and correcting them. In most cases a half-day of targeted retraining resolves issues that have been frustrating the team for months.
The spreadsheets usually exist because the software is not doing something the admin needs it to do – tracking variations, recording specific information or producing a particular report. The fix is almost always a configuration change rather than telling people to stop using spreadsheets. Find out what the spreadsheet is doing that the software is not and solve that problem.
Live job costing requires your software to be set up with cost categories that match your estimating structure, your team logging time and materials against the correct jobs and your Xero integration mapping costs correctly. When any one of those is missing the data is incomplete and the reports are unreliable. Getting all three right is what makes real-time visibility work.
Job costing tracks costs in real time as the job progresses giving you a live view of budget versus actual at any point. Back costing happens after the job is complete and tells you what it made or lost. Both are useful but real-time job costing lets you act on problems before it is too late rather than learning from them after the invoice is sent.
Variations need to be logged in your job management software at the time they are requested, priced against the original scope and sent for client approval before the work is done. Most builders lose money on variations because they are agreed verbally and never make it back into the job. A properly configured variation workflow creates an approval trail and automatically updates your job costs and invoice.
You need job costing set up with consistent cost categories across all your jobs and a report that compares estimated versus actual costs by job type over time. Once you have clean data across six to twelve months you can see clearly which types of work are delivering the margins you expect and which are consistently underperforming. Most builders are surprised by the result.
This is almost always a combination of variations not being captured, time not being logged against jobs correctly and materials being purchased without being allocated back to the job. Fixing it requires a tighter workflow for each of those three things and a weekly check of budget versus actual on active jobs so you can see a blowout developing before it gets out of hand.
Once you have actual cost data from completed jobs you can use it to refine your estimating templates so your quotes better reflect what jobs actually cost to deliver. Most platforms let you compare estimated versus actual by cost category so you can see where you are consistently over or under. Over time this makes your quotes more accurate and your margins more predictable.
The cost depends on the scope of work involved — which platform you are on, the complexity of your workflows, how many users need training and whether a migration is required. A free 15-minute call is the fastest way to scope out what is actually needed and get a clear price before you commit to anything.
Yes, across all states and territories. Most setup, training and support work is done remotely via screen share so your location is not a barrier.
Ongoing support is available for businesses that want someone to call when things change. That might be a new staff member who needs training, a new job type that requires a template update, an integration question or something that breaks and needs fixing. You do not need to start from scratch explaining your setup each time.
No. TradiePad works across all the major platforms used by builders including Builda Price, MyConstruct, Fergus and others. The recommendation is always based on what fits your business, not on any one platform we are aligned to.
Software providers support the platform. They help you when something is technically broken. TradiePad supports your business. We configure the platform around how you work, train your team for their specific roles and help you solve business process problems that the software provider’s helpdesk is not set up to address.
That is exactly what the free 15-minute call is for. You do not need to have it figured out before you get in touch. The call is a conversation about what is slowing you down and whether we can help, with no obligation and no pitch.
Mostly small to mid-sized building businesses including sole traders who have recently taken on staff through to businesses with ten to fifteen people across office and site. The problems these businesses face are specific and different to what a large commercial builder deals with, and that is where our experience is deepest.