Three ways to bill work.
One platform that handles them all.
Set fixed prices for simple jobs, split labour and materials for variable ones, and run your external trades end-to-end with retention, compliance and staged claims built in.
Agree a price. Do the job. Get paid.
For jobs where you know the price up front and that's what gets billed - no breakdown, no surprises.
"Fit these doors for £800." "Paint this room for £1,200." One job, one agreed price, one line on the invoice. The fastest way to set work up - nothing to track hour-by-hour.
- Worker marks complete, price flows through
- One-line invoice, no time-tracking
- Zero admin overhead
Labour and materials, billed separately.
For jobs where a single fixed price isn't quite right - usually because materials are variable or hours might run over.
Instead of one lump sum, the invoice splits into two clear parts: labour (hours × rate) and materials (itemised costs). Recorded as the work happens. Everyone sees exactly where the money is going.
- Hours logged as the work happens
- Materials itemised line-by-line
- Independent tracking, independent approval
External trades, end to end.
For the trades who aren't on your payroll - the plumbers, electricians, scaffolders and specialist firms who invoice you for their work.
Works differently in three important ways: retention is built in, document compliance is enforced, and large jobs can be billed in staged claims. Subbies see only their own view; admins see everything.
- Retention withheld automatically, released at milestones
- CSCS, insurance, certs enforced before payment
- Stage-billed claims against an approved order
- Subbies get a restricted view - only what's theirs
| Priced Works | Specific Works | Sub-Contractors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing | One fixed price | Labour + materials, split | Per task or per claim |
| Who does the work | Anyone (usually internal) | Anyone (usually internal) | External trades only |
| Invoice lines | 1 | 2+ (labour, materials) | 1+ (with retention deducted) |
| Retention withheld | No | No | Yes · configurable % |
| Document compliance | Optional | Optional | Enforced · CSCS, insurance |
| Stage-billed claims | No | No | Yes · Sub-Contractor Orders |
| Best for | Predictable, fixed-scope jobs | Variable time or materials | External trades, large packages |
Three things subbie billing
does that other models don't.
External trades are a different animal. Retention, compliance, and staged billing aren't bolt-ons - they're how the work actually gets paid.
Retention is built in
Set a percentage (typically 5%) and a cap (e.g. £50k) on each subbie's account. The system withholds automatically on every invoice. Release at milestones from the Retention dashboard.
Compliance is enforced
Require CSCS cards, insurance, RAMS, or any other certification before a subbie can be paid. The system blocks invoices if documents are missing or expired - no last-minute rushing.
Staged claims against orders
Subbie submits a quote upfront ("£50k plastering package"), gets it approved, then claims against it as work progresses. Each claim approved separately, retention deducted, remaining balance always visible.
Not sure which to use?
Five questions that get you to the right billing model in seconds.
One platform, three billing models, zero spreadsheets.
See it running with your own subbies, your own rates, your own retention rules - 30 minutes is plenty.