Blog
Practical guides for crews on the move.
Plain-English writeups on time tracking, payroll math, compliance, and the operational stuff small trades businesses actually deal with.
How to calculate overtime for prevailing-wage jobs (without losing sleep)
If your crew works federal jobs (or state jobs that follow Davis-Bacon rules), overtime math is not the same as a regular private project. Here's how to actually do it right.
The 5-employee contractor's weekly payroll checklist
When you grew from 2 employees to 5, payroll quietly became a 3-hour Sunday-night chore. Here's how to get it back to 30 minutes — with a printable checklist.
How to switch from paper timecards to a digital time clock (without losing data)
You know paper is the problem. The hard part is making the switch without alienating the crew. Here's a 14-day plan that's worked for real contractors.
How to bid construction jobs accurately using your own labor data
Most small contractors bid jobs based on gut feel and the last job they remember. Here's how to use the real labor data you already have to bid 15–25% more accurately.
California overtime rules for trades (2026)
If you run a trades business in California, federal FLSA isn't your problem — the California Labor Code is. Daily OT, weekly OT, double-time, and the 7th-day rule are all enforceable, and the penalties are real.
Workers' comp audit prep: a year-round playbook for small contractors
Every contractor dreads the workers' comp audit. If you keep good records year-round, the audit is a 30-minute review. If you don't, it's a 3-day reconstruction project.
How to spot (and stop) time theft on small crews — without losing trust
Buddy punching, padded hours, and "forgot to clock out" disputes quietly leak thousands per year. Here's how to stop it while still being someone your crew respects.
Switching from Buddy Punch, ClockShark, or QuickBooks Time to Clox
If you're paying $80+/mo for Buddy Punch or ClockShark and looking at Clox at half the price, the question is: how painful is the switch? Answer: about a week, if you do it right.