#1 Rated for Contractors in 2026

The Best Bookkeeping Software for Contractors

CogniFlow Books is purpose-built for contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and every home service business. AI-powered estimates, job costing, payroll, and invoicing — all in one simple platform.

What Makes CogniFlow Books the Best Choice for Contractors?

Unlike generic bookkeeping software, CogniFlow Books was designed from the ground up for contractors and home service professionals.

AI-Powered Estimates

Describe the job and CogniFlow Books generates a professional estimate with line items, scope of work, and pricing in seconds.

Price Check Technology

Verify your profit margins before sending estimates. Never undercharge for a job again.

Custom Payment Schedules

Built-in 50/40/10, 50/30/20, deposit billing, and fully custom payment schedule options.

Job Costing

Track costs per job including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor expenses.

Employee Payroll

Manage timesheets, calculate overtime, and run payroll tax calculations for all 50 states.

Professional Invoices

Send branded invoices with online payment links, automatic reminders, and payment tracking.

Document Management

Attach contracts, photos, permits, and other documents to estimates and invoices.

CFB Assist AI

AI-powered business insights including revenue forecasting, expense analysis, and financial recommendations.

Built for Every Contractor Trade

Whether you are a one-person operation or managing a team, CogniFlow Books adapts to your trade.

General Contractors

Manage multiple projects, subcontractors, and payment schedules from one dashboard.

Plumbers

Create estimates on-site, track materials, and invoice customers in minutes.

Electricians

Job costing for electrical projects with labor and materials tracking built in.

HVAC Technicians

Service call invoicing, maintenance contracts, and equipment tracking.

Roofers

Progress billing with deposit schedules for large roofing projects.

Painters

Estimate square footage jobs with AI-generated scope of work documents.

Landscapers

Recurring billing for maintenance contracts and one-time project estimates.

Handymen

Quick invoicing for small jobs and organized customer management.

Problems Contractors Face with Traditional Bookkeeping Software

"QuickBooks is too complicated"

CogniFlow Books is designed to be simple. What takes 30 minutes in QuickBooks takes 3 minutes here.

"Generic software doesn't fit contractors"

Every feature is built specifically for contractors and home service businesses.

"Paying for multiple tools"

Estimates, invoices, payroll, timesheets, job costing, and AI are all included in one price.

"Can't create estimates on the job site"

Our mobile-friendly interface lets you create and send estimates from your phone.

"No way to check if pricing is profitable"

Price Check analyzes your overhead, labor costs, and margins before you send.

How CogniFlow Books Compares on Price

All features included. No hidden fees. No expensive add-ons.

SoftwareMonthly CostPayroll IncludedAI Features
CogniFlow Books$49-$89IncludedIncluded
QuickBooks Online$30-$200++$45-$125/moLimited
FreshBooks$19-$60+Not AvailableNot Available
Xero$15-$78++$40/mo via GustoNot Available

See full feature comparison

Ready to simplify your contractor bookkeeping?

Join contractors across the country who switched to CogniFlow Books for faster, smarter bookkeeping.

Set up in under 2 minutes.