The Contractor & Trades Toolkit

Field service, estimating, insurance, and accounting tools for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and general contractors.

How to choose

Cover licensing, bonding, and insurance before any operational software — you cannot pull permits or win projects without them. Once compliance is handled, choose field service software that connects scheduling, quoting, and invoicing so jobs move from estimate to payment without manual re-entry. Lenders reviewing equipment financing or a working capital line for contractors want job-cost P&Ls showing revenue by project.

What to look for

Our picks

Field Service Software — Jobber

Scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client portal in one app built for the trades. Jobber's workflow keeps jobs moving from estimate to payment without manual follow-up.

Try Jobber free

Estimating Software — ServiceTitan

The enterprise standard for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies with more than a handful of techs. Pricebook, flat-rate pricing, and dispatch all in one platform.

See ServiceTitan

Surety Bonding — SuretyBonds.com

Instant online quotes for contractor license bonds across all 50 states. Most bonds issued same day — required before a general contractor can pull permits or win public projects.

Get bonded

Commercial & Liability Insurance — Next Insurance

General liability + tools & equipment + workers' comp in minutes online. Certificates of insurance emailed instantly — what every GC or property manager wants before you step on site.

Get a quote

Fleet & Vehicle Management — Samsara

Real-time GPS tracking, driver safety scoring, and maintenance scheduling for contractor vans and trucks. Reduces fuel waste and gives dispatchers live visibility into every vehicle.

See Samsara

Accounting Software — QuickBooks Online

Job-cost tracking by project, contractor 1099 management, and progress billing keep your books clean and lender-ready when you apply for equipment financing or a working capital line.

Try QuickBooks

Business Banking — Bluevine Business Checking

No monthly fee, unlimited transactions, and a built-in business line of credit up to $250K for qualifying accounts — a natural fit for contractors managing lumpy project cash flow.

Open an account

Some links above are affiliate links. ClearValue Lending may earn a commission at no cost to you. Picks are editorial and independent of compensation.

Frequently asked questions

Do contractors need a surety bond to get licensed?

Most states require a contractor license bond before issuing a contractor's license. Bond amounts vary by state and license type, typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. SuretyBonds.com issues contractor license bonds in all 50 states with same-day turnaround for most bond types.

What insurance does a general contractor need before starting a job?

General contractors typically need general liability insurance, commercial property coverage, and often workers' compensation. GCs and property owners require a certificate of insurance (COI) before you step on site. Next Insurance issues COIs instantly online, satisfying most GC and property manager requirements.

How do contractors track job costs for lender-ready financials?

QuickBooks Online's job-cost tracking feature allocates labor, materials, and subcontractor costs to individual projects. This produces a project-level P&L that lenders use when underwriting equipment financing or working capital loans. Contractors without project-level cost tracking typically get lower loan approvals.

What field service software do electricians and plumbers use?

Jobber is the most widely used field service platform for small trades businesses — it handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication in one app. ServiceTitan is the enterprise standard for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies with larger teams, offering a deeper pricebook and more advanced reporting.

Related guides

The SBA's guidance on contractor licensing, bonding, and permit requirements by state and trade type.

SBA — Licenses and Permits for Contractors