I already have QuickBooks. Do I still need a contractor setup?

Usually yes. Most contractors have QuickBooks, but it is not set up for construction, so jobs, labor, and materials are not tracked correctly. A Cleanup Review or Job Costing Setup makes it actually tell you which jobs are profitable.

Why does job costing matter for contractors?

A contractor can be busy and still not profitable. When labor, materials, subs, equipment, and permits all land in one expense pile, you cannot see which jobs make money and which quietly lose it. Job costing in QuickBooks shows gross profit per job.

How much does QuickBooks setup cost for a contractor?

Flat-rate packages start at $950 for the Starter Setup (solo, newly licensed). The Job Costing Setup is $1,500 and is the most popular. Payroll Workflow Setup is $2,500, and the Full Back Office Buildout starts at $3,500. All packages include training sessions and email support.

What is CSLB and do you help with the contractor license application?

CSLB is the California Contractors State License Board. Pay Flow provides guidance on the licensing process, business entity setup, EIN registration, bonds, insurance coordination, and getting your financial systems ready before your first job.

QuickBooks ProAdvisor · Construction Bookkeeping Specialist · Brentwood, CA

QuickBooks Setup & Bookkeeping
for California Contractors

Flat-rate setup packages for contractors who need clean books, job costing, payroll workflow, and simple reporting — done right from day one.

Book Your Free Setup Call View Packages

CSLB License Guidance Job Costing Certified Payroll Prevailing Wage Flat-Rate Packages

Built for Construction

Job costing by project — not generic expense categories.

California Compliance

Prevailing wage, certified payroll, EDD — done right.

Flat-Rate Packages

Starting at $950 — know the price before you start.

You Learn to Run It

Hands-on training included so you understand your numbers.

Who This Is For

Get Your QuickBooks Set Up for How Construction Actually Works

Most contractors don't need complicated accounting. They need QuickBooks set up for how construction actually works — customers, jobs, labor, materials, subcontractors, receipts, invoices, payroll workflow, and job profitability. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and construction bookkeeping specialist, I build a simple system you can understand and maintain, and I train you to run it.

Newly licensed California contractors (CSLB)
Contractors with QuickBooks but no job costing
Contractors hiring or paying their first employee
Contractors bidding public works (prevailing wage, certified payroll)
Contractors moving from cash/checks to real payroll
Established contractors with messy or broken QuickBooks files

Book a Free Setup Call

Contractor reviewing blueprints and project plans

Setup Packages at a Glance

Starter Setup

$950

Solo, just licensed, no payroll yet

Job Costing Setup

$1,500

See profit by job — most popular

Payroll Workflow Setup

$2,500

Hiring or paying a crew

Full Back Office Buildout

$3,500+

The whole system organized

All packages include training sessions and email support. Book a free call to find the right fit.

Flat-Rate Setup Packages

Choose Your Setup Package

Every package includes hands-on training so you understand your own system. No hidden fees — you know the price before we start.

Starter Setup

$950

Best for: Solo, just licensed, no payroll yet

✓ QuickBooks Online setup & review
✓ Contractor chart of accounts
✓ Products/services setup
✓ Customer and project/job structure
✓ Bank feed connection guidance
✓ Invoice template setup
✓ Basic expense categories
✓ Receipt capture workflow
✓ Owner-draw vs. business-expense training
✓ 1 training session (60 min)
✓ 7 days email support

Get Started

Getting Your CSLB License? Start Your Finances Right.

The biggest mistake new contractors make is setting up their books wrong — or not at all. Most end up paying to clean up the mess later. Setting up QuickBooks correctly from day one is cheaper, less stressful, and makes tax time (and growth) much easier.

CSLB License Guidance — Navigate the California contractor licensing process
EIN / Tax ID Setup — Get your federal Employer Identification Number established
Business Entity Guidance — Sole prop, LLC, or S-Corp? Understand your options
Bond & Insurance Coordination — Know what you need and when
QuickBooks Setup & Training — Built for construction from the start
Payroll System Setup — Before your first hire, not after

Schedule a New Contractor Consultation

New Contractor Setup Checklist

Apply for CSLB License
Register business entity (LLC / S-Corp / Sole Prop)
Obtain Federal Tax ID (EIN)
Open dedicated business bank account
Set up contractor bonds (License Bond, Performance Bond)
Obtain General Liability & Workers Comp insurance
Set up QuickBooks for construction
Establish chart of accounts & job costing structure
Register for California payroll taxes (EDD)
Understand prevailing wage requirements if bidding public works
Set up certified payroll reporting

Specialty Services

Prevailing Wage & Certified Payroll

For contractors on California public works, prevailing wage compliance isn't optional — and getting it wrong is expensive. This is specialized work most bookkeepers can't do.

Pay Flow handles the reporting platforms, union requirements, and compliance standards that California construction demands. From your first public works bid to managing a full union crew.

Prevailing Wage Certified Payroll Reports LCP Tracker eMars Elations Union Trust Funds Workers Comp Job Costing WIP Reports DIR Compliance

Construction and prevailing wage compliance

What We Handle for Construction Clients

New CSLB contractor guidance
Contractor bond & insurance setup
Construction chart of accounts
Job costing & profitability
Certified Payroll Report prep
Prevailing wage rate compliance
Union fringe benefit reporting
LCP Tracker submissions
eMars & Elations submissions
Workers Compensation audits
Insurance premium audits
WIP reporting

Jenni Hernandez, owner of Pay Flow Bookkeeping — QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Brentwood CA

Why Pay Flow Bookkeeping

A Bookkeeper Who Speaks Contractor

Jenni Hernandez specializes in construction accounting — not a generalist, not a big firm. Your dedicated financial partner who understands CSLB, prevailing wage, job costing, and what it actually takes to run a construction business in California.

1
Construction Specialist
Deep experience in job costing, certified payroll, prevailing wage, and new contractor setup — not generic bookkeeping.
2
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certified
Certified in QuickBooks Online and Desktop. Your books and training are in expert hands.
3
Local & Personal
Based in Brentwood, CA. You work directly with Jenni — no handoffs, no call centers.
4
You Learn to Run It
Every setup includes hands-on training so you can code expenses, invoice from estimates, and read a job profitability report.
5
California Compliance Ready
EDD, DIR, CSLB, workers' comp, prevailing wage — handled correctly from the start.

FAQ

Contractor Questions, Answered

I already have QuickBooks. Do I still need this?

Usually yes. Most contractors have QuickBooks, but it isn't set up for construction — so jobs, labor, and materials aren't tracked correctly. A Cleanup Review or Job Costing Setup makes it actually tell you which jobs are profitable.

Why does job costing matter?

A contractor can be busy and still not profitable. When labor, materials, subs, equipment, and permits all land in one expense pile, you can't see which jobs make money and which quietly lose it. Job costing in QuickBooks shows gross profit per job.

What is prevailing wage and certified payroll?

Prevailing wage is a state-mandated pay rate for workers on California public works projects. Certified Payroll Reports (CPRs) are weekly documentation submitted to verify compliance with those rates. We prepare these reports using LCP Tracker, eMars, and Elations.

Do you handle payroll for my crew?

Yes — payroll setup, time tracking, job-costed payroll, EDD, workers' comp coordination, and for public-works contractors, certified payroll and prevailing wage compliance.

I just got my CSLB license. Where do I start?

The Starter Setup ($950) is the right first step — it gets QuickBooks configured for construction so your books are clean from day one. As you grow (hire employees, bid public works), we move to more advanced packages.

Do I have to know accounting?

No. Every setup includes hands-on training so you can code expenses, invoice from estimates, capture receipts, and read a job profitability report — without needing an accounting background.

Are you a CPA or tax preparer?

No. Pay Flow is a bookkeeping and QuickBooks setup practice. For tax filing and legal questions, work with your CPA or attorney — Pay Flow keeps your books clean and organized so that work is easier and less expensive.

QuickBooks Setup & Bookkeeping for California Contractors

Built for Construction

California Compliance

Flat-Rate Packages

You Learn to Run It

Get Your QuickBooks Set Up for How Construction Actually Works

Choose Your Setup Package

Getting Your CSLB License? Start Your Finances Right.

New Contractor Setup Checklist

Prevailing Wage & Certified Payroll

What We Handle for Construction Clients

A Bookkeeper Who Speaks Contractor

Construction Specialist

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certified

Local & Personal

You Learn to Run It

California Compliance Ready

Contractor Questions, Answered

I already have QuickBooks. Do I still need this?

Why does job costing matter?

What is prevailing wage and certified payroll?

Do you handle payroll for my crew?

I just got my CSLB license. Where do I start?

Do I have to know accounting?

Are you a CPA or tax preparer?

Ready to Get Your Contractor Books in Order?

QuickBooks Setup & Bookkeeping
for California Contractors