How much time are you spending off the tools just to keep the biz running?
For most tradies, all that admin—quoting, scheduling, making sure the crew’s sorted—usually means unpaid hours, and let’s face it, no one’s got time for that.
If you’re still using whiteboards, paper, or clunky spreadsheets, you’re probably losing hours every week you could put back into paying work.
The right digital tools can change all that, letting you focus on the real work. Here’s how going digital can help you win back those hours and simplify your day.
1. Faster Quoting and Estimating
Quoting in spreadsheets feels like starting from scratch every time—copying data, punching in supplier prices, and doing all the calculations. It’s clunky, and if you’re quoting similar jobs often, it’s a real time-sink.
With NextMinute, you can set up templates for your go-to jobs, drop in items straight from supplier price lists, and adjust mark-ups in seconds. Ready to go? Fire off the quote by email, the client can approve in one click, and you can instantly convert it into a job to start planning.
2. Smoother Scheduling
Managing schedules in spreadsheets can be a nightmare when things change. One delay, and you’re spending hours re-jigging dates and shifting tasks—especially painful on bigger projects.
With NextMinute’s digital Gantt chart, it’s a breeze to keep timelines on track. Just drag-and-drop tasks to adjust dates, and anything connected to it updates automatically. So, when plans shift, you’re not wrestling with a spreadsheet; just make a quick adjustment, and you’re sorted.
3. Clearer Communication with Your Crew
When crew details get lost or missed, it means wasted time with back-and-forth calls and confused team members heading to the wrong site or not fully briefed on tasks. Old-school methods like verbal instructions or random notes just don’t cut it.
With NextMinute’s app, all job info sits right on each team member’s phone. They can see where to be, what’s on for the day, and any updates in real time—cutting out wasted time and keeping everything running smoothly.
4. Timesheets Without the Hassle
Paper timesheets and manual entry can mean hours spent just trying to collect, read (or even decode), and input everyone’s hours for payroll. It’s a hassle, especially if timesheets are missing details or turned in late.
With NextMinute, the team logs their hours straight into the app, which then syncs directly with your accounting software. Payroll that used to take hours can now be done in minutes, with everything ready to go come payday.
5. Simplified Invoicing
Keeping track of expenses, hours, and receipts can feel like a never-ending paper chase—digging through notes, double-checking numbers, and hoping you’ve found all those crumpled invoices stuffed in the ute glovebox. Miss one, and it’s time (and money) lost.
With NextMinute, invoicing couldn’t be easier. All your costs, hours, and receipts are stored in one spot, so when it’s time to bill, it’s just a few clicks. No more searching high and low or trying to remember every little detail.
6. Easy Real-Time Reporting
Tracking budgets across scattered notes and spreadsheets can make it hard to know where you stand on job costs. Without a clear view, it’s easy to lose track of profitability until it’s too late.
NextMinute’s back-costing reports keep everything visible, comparing actuals against estimates in real time. You’ll always have an up-to-date picture of job costs and profitability, so you can make informed decisions before small budget issues turn into bigger ones.
7. Better Client Record-Keeping
When approvals, variations, site notes, and client sign-offs are scattered across emails, random bits of paper, or other apps, tracking down the right details when a dispute pops up can be a nightmare.
With NextMinute, it’s all stored in one place—from site photos and job notes to quote acceptances and client-approved changes. So if questions or issues come up, you’ve got a solid record to back you up, saving time and avoiding the back-and-forth.
8. Syncing with Accounting Software
Manually entering data into separate accounting and management systems can be a nightmare of double-entry and potential mistakes.
With NextMinute, all your financial details – from logged hours to expenses – sync directly with MYOB, Xero, and QuickBooks.
This integration means your invoices, timesheets, and expenses flow seamlessly into your accounting software, cutting down admin time and helping prevent errors. And, with everything synced up, you might save on bookkeeper fees too, as there’s no need for repetitive data entry or back-and-forth checks.
9. Get Good Support
Sometimes, software support can feel like a dead end, especially when you’re dealing with teams who don’t really get your industry. That’s why NextMinute’s support makes a difference – our local team knows Aussie and Kiwi tradies inside and out. They understand the specific challenges of running a trade business and are there to help with anything you need, from getting set up to resolving on-the-job questions. No overseas call centres or confusing tech talk, just real, local people ready to sort things out.
10. Access Your Work from Anywhere
A good digital platform means you’re not tied to the office just to get admin sorted. With NextMinute’s app, you can manage everything on the go—create quotes, send invoices, log timesheets, and add site notes all from your phone. Whether you’re on-site or out picking up supplies, you’ve got full access to keep jobs moving without missing a beat.
Wrap Up
Switching to digital isn’t just about getting rid of paperwork—it’s about getting back hours in your week and making your business run smoother. If you’re tired of spreadsheets and whiteboards eating up time, NextMinute could be the digital tool that helps you focus on what really matters. Less time on admin means more time on the tools and getting jobs done.
