Dirty Work
Software
Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Contractor Software
The real difference between renting software and owning systems that fit your business.
Should You Build or Buy Your Business Systems?
You have spent the last hour trying to make ServiceTitan do something it clearly was not designed to do. Or maybe you are on your third spreadsheet workaround because Jobber does not track jobs the way your operation actually works. The software that promised to simplify everything is now the thing making everything complicated.
The frustration is not about the software itself. These are genuinely good products for certain contractors. The problem is fit. When your operation does not match the assumptions baked into off-the-shelf software, you spend more time fighting the tool than running your business. And those workarounds you have created? They are costing you 10 to 15 hours every week in manual data entry and double-checking.
68% of contractors
Report significant workflow workarounds with generic software
Custom contractor software takes the opposite approach. Instead of changing how you work to fit the software, we build systems around how your business actually operates. Your quoting process, your job tracking needs, your crew management style. Everything designed for you, not adapted from a template built for HVAC companies three times your size.
For contractors in the Oklahoma City metro running between $150,000 and $2 million in annual revenue, this is not an abstract decision. It is the difference between paying $200 to $400 per user per month forever, or investing once to build systems you own permanently. Both paths have real tradeoffs. This page helps you understand which one fits your situation.
We build integrated business systems on Wix, AppSheet, and Make.com.Every component connects. Your website captures leads that flow directly into your database. Job completion triggers invoicing automatically. Time logs generate payroll reports without anyone copying data between systems. You own everything we build, on platforms you control.
What You'll Learn on This Page
Understanding the Build vs Buy Decision
Feature and Capability Comparison
Making Your Decision
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fundamental Difference Between Custom and Off-the-Shelf Software
Off-the-shelf contractor software starts with assumptions about how contractors work. ServiceTitan assumes high-volume service calls with dispatch optimization. Jobber assumes simple scheduling with field technicians. Housecall Pro assumes straightforward service appointments. These assumptions work brilliantly when your operation matches them.
15-25 hours weekly
Time spent on workarounds when software does not fit
The challenge comes when your business operates differently. Flooring contractors quoting square footage with material calculations. Concrete coating businesses tracking cure times and return visits. Operations where the job is not a one-hour service call but a multi-day project with phases. Suddenly, you are building elaborate workarounds to make generic software handle non-generic situations.
What Off-the-Shelf Software Assumes About Your Business
Generic scheduling model: One technician, one appointment, one hour. Systems optimize for service call routing, not multi-day project management where crews stay on-site for weeks.
Standard quoting process: Simple labor plus materials pricing. Works for service calls, struggles with square footage calculations and material coverage estimates, or tiered pricing for good, better, and best options.
Per-user pricing model: Every additional user increases monthly costs. Designed for small teams, becomes expensive as you grow. Adding a third crew means adding three more user licenses.
Dispatch-focused workflow: Built around getting technicians to appointment locations efficiently. Less relevant when your crews drive to the same job site for five consecutive days.
One-size integration approach: Connects to common tools through pre-built integrations. Works until you need something custom, then you are back to manual workarounds.
Predetermined reporting: Standard reports covering common metrics. Want to see profitability by job type or track material waste percentages? Probably not available without expensive add-ons.
Assumed service territory: Pricing often based on service area size or technician count, not actual usage patterns or revenue levels.
Industry-agnostic design: Features built for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors. Flooring and concrete coating workflows treated as afterthoughts, if addressed at all.
Custom software flips this model. We start by understanding how your specific business operates, then build systems around those workflows. Your quoting process with your pricing variables. Your job tracking with your project phases. Your crew management matching your actual team structure. Nothing adapted from someone else's template.
Why The Fit Problem Compounds Over Time
The initial workaround seems minor. You create a spreadsheet to track something the software does not handle. You build a manual process to move data between systems. Each individual workaround takes maybe 15 minutes daily. Manageable.
The Workaround Math: Five workarounds at 15 minutes each equals 75 minutes daily. Over a year, that is 312 hours of manual work. At $40 per hour owner time, you are spending $12,480 annually on workarounds alone. This does not count the errors, the missed items, or the mental load of remembering what the software cannot handle.
But workarounds multiply. Six months in, you have five of them. A year later, maybe ten. Your "simple" software solution now requires three spreadsheets, two separate apps, and a mental checklist of things to remember. The system that was supposed to simplify your business has become another source of complexity. You are the human API connecting systems that refuse to talk to each other.
What Off-the-Shelf Contractor Software Actually Costs
The advertised price is never the complete picture. Understanding true software costs requires looking beyond the monthly subscription to see everything you will actually pay.
Consider ServiceTitan, the dominant player in field service software. Base pricing starts around $150 to $300 per technician per month. For a five-person team, that is $750 to $1,500 monthly just for software access. But that is just the beginning.
The Complete Off-the-Shelf Cost Picture
1
Base subscription pricing
Monthly per-user fees ranging from $50 to $300+ depending on platform and features selected
Core Cost
2
Implementation and setup fees
One-time charges for configuration, data migration, and initial training. Ranges from $2,000 to $15,000 for enterprise platforms
Upfront Cost
3
Add-on module purchases
Marketing features, advanced reporting, inventory management, and other capabilities often sold separately. $50 to $200+ per user per month
Additional Monthly
4
Integration costs
Staff hours learning new systems, typically 20 to 40 hours per person for full platform adoption
Variable Cost
5
Training and onboarding time
Staff hours learning new systems, typically 20 to 40 hours per person for full platform adoption
Hidden Cost
6
Opportunity cost of limitations
Revenue lost when software constraints prevent you from implementing optimal processes
Ongoing Cost
A realistic ServiceTitan implementation for a 10-person contracting company often reaches $2,500 to $4,000 monthly when you add Marketing Pro, advanced reporting, and the integrations you actually need. Jobber and Housecall Pro cost less, typically $100 to $200 per user, but come with fewer features and similar add-on dynamics.
The Per-User Trap
Off-the-shelf software creates a perverse incentive against growth. Every new hire increases your software costs. A flooring contractor growing from 5 to 15 employees might see monthly software expenses triple, even though the work those new employees handle does not require proportionally more software capacity. Custom systems with flat monthly pricing remove this growth penalty.
The three-year calculation reveals the full picture. ServiceTitan at $3,000 monthly equals $108,000 over three years, plus implementation, plus add-ons, plus you own nothing at the end. Jobber at $1,200 monthly equals $43,200 over three years with similar ownership terms. You are renting access to someone else's software, paying indefinitely for the privilege.
Tired of Fighting Software That Does Not Fit?
Every workaround costs time. Every manual process risks errors. Every limitation prevents you from running your business optimally. If your current software requires constant adaptation, that is not a training problem. It is a fit problem. Custom systems eliminate the gap between how software works and how your business operates.
Start with the numbers to see what better-fitting systems could save. Or book a 15-minute Operations Review and we'll pinpoint exactly where your workarounds are costing you.
What Custom Contractor Software Actually Costs
Custom does not mean expensive. It means purpose-built. Understanding the investment requires looking at both the build phase and ongoing costs.
$35,000-50,000
Typical complete system build investment
Most contractors start with a standard startup package covering website, service pages, and database with quote generation. This complete system build investment typically runs $35,000 to $50,000, delivered across two to four milestones over four to eight months. You can start smaller with just a website milestone at $8,000 to $12,000 and add database capabilities later.
Custom System Investment Breakdown
1
Website Foundation Milestone
$8,000 to $12,000 investment covering custom Wix site with automated lead capture, email sequences, mobile optimization, and local SEO foundation
2
Service Pages Build
$10,000 to $15,000 investment for comprehensive service pages, SEO optimization, internal linking structure, and conversion-focused design
3
Database and Quoting System
$15,000 investment for complete AppSheet database including contacts, leads, jobs, quote builder with PDF generation, and sales pipeline tracking
4
Operations Integration
$12,000 to $15,000 investment adding job tracking, GPS time logging, payroll reports, and accounting software integration
After the build phase, ongoing support through bundled plans ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 monthly depending on development hours and marketing services included. The Starter bundle at $3,000 monthly includes 10 development hours, four blog posts for SEO, platform infrastructure costs, and monitoring. Professional at $5,000 monthly adds hub pages and social media. Premium at $7,000 monthly includes video production.
The Three-Year Comparison That Actually Matters
Compare total ownership cost over three years. ServiceTitan at $3,000 monthly plus $10,000 implementation equals $118,000 total, with nothing owned at the end. Custom system at $40,000 build plus $3,000 monthly support equals $148,000 total, but you own permanent assets.
What Ownership Actually Means: When you stop paying ServiceTitan, you export data and lose functionality. When you stop paying us, your website keeps running, your database keeps working, your automations keep firing. You own your domain, your Google Workspace, your AppSheet database, your Make.com scenarios. We earn your business monthly by providing value, not by holding your systems hostage.
The custom system costs more in year one, breaks even around month 18 to 24, then costs less every subsequent year while delivering more precisely fitted functionality. And the gap widens as you grow, since custom systems do not charge per-user fees that scale with your team size.
Feature Comparison: Custom vs Generic Systems
Features matter less than fit. But understanding what each approach delivers helps clarify the decision.
Head-to-Head: Off-the-Shelf vs Custom Systems
Off-the-Shelf Software Approach
Feature Breadth: Extensive feature libraries covering many use cases, though most contractors access only 20 to 30 percent of available functionality. You are paying for capabilities designed for businesses unlike yours.
Pricing Model: Per-user monthly fees that increase as your team grows. Adding three employees might add $300 to $900 monthly to software costs regardless of how much additional value they create.
Implementation Speed: Faster initial deployment, typically two to eight weeks. However, extensive configuration required to approximate your workflows, and some customization simply is not possible.
Ecosystem Integration: Pre-built connections to common tools through established partnerships. Works smoothly when your tools match their integrations, requires workarounds when they do not.
Support Model: Ticket-based support with varying response times. You are one customer among thousands, handled by staff who do not know your business specifically.
Custom System Approach
Feature Fit: Every feature built specifically for your workflows. You are not paying for dispatching algorithms you will never use or marketing modules you do not need. Nothing wasted.
Pricing Model: Flat monthly fees within user tiers. Our Starter bundle covers up to 30 users at $3,000 monthly. Professional covers 50 users at $5,000 monthly. Growth does not trigger automatic cost increases.
Implementation Timeline: Longer initial build of four to eight months for complete systems. However, each milestone delivers working functionality, and systems match your processes exactly from day one.
Integration Flexibility: Built to connect with your specific tools. QuickBooks integration configured for your chart of accounts. Material suppliers connected to your actual vendors. Nothing limited to pre-approved partners.
Support Relationship: Direct communication with the team who built your systems. Oklahoma City based, relationship-driven support where we understand your business context because we designed it.
Neither approach is universally superior. The question is which tradeoffs align with your situation. Some contractors genuinely need ServiceTitan's dispatch optimization. Others need systems built around workflows that generic software cannot accommodate.
4-8 months
Complete custom system implementation timeline
When Off-the-Shelf Software Makes Sense
Custom systems are not always the right choice. Recognizing when generic software fits better saves everyone time and money.
Custom Systems Deliver Better ROI When
Complex quoting requirements: Your quotes involve square footage calculations, material coverage estimates, multiple service tiers, or conditional pricing logic that generic quote builders cannot accommodate without manual intervention.
Project-based work: Jobs span multiple days or weeks rather than single appointments. You need phase tracking, crew scheduling across multi-day projects, and progress documentation that service-call software struggles to handle.
Growth trajectory: You are scaling from 5 to 15 or more employees over the next three years. Per-user pricing models become increasingly expensive, while flat-rate custom systems absorb growth without proportional cost increases.
Specialty trade needs: Flooring, concrete coating, decorative concrete, or other trades that generic software treats as afterthoughts. Your workflows are fundamentally different from the HVAC service call model these platforms optimize.
Integration complexity: You need connections to specific suppliers, equipment systems, or industry tools that lack pre-built integrations with major platforms.
Workflow ownership: You have developed operational processes that create competitive advantage. Forcing those processes into generic software templates eliminates the differentiation you have built.
Data ownership priority: You want permanent ownership of business systems rather than ongoing subscription dependency. The ability to leave without losing functionality matters to your long-term planning.
Local partnership value: You prefer working with a team who understands Oklahoma City market dynamics over national support centers handling contractors across the country.
Flooring contractors, concrete coating businesses, and specialty trades almost always fit the custom system profile. Generic software was not built with your workflows in mind. Every adaptation is a compromise you continue paying for through workarounds and limitations.
The Hidden Costs of Workarounds
Workarounds seem free. You create a spreadsheet, build a manual process, remember to check something twice. No line item appears on any invoice. But the cost is real and compounding.
How Workaround Costs Accumulate
Year 1
Initial Workarounds Emerge
You discover software limitations and build three to five manual processes to handle gaps. Each takes 10 to 15 minutes daily. Total: 30 to 75 minutes of daily manual work.
Year 2
Workaround Complexity Grows
Additional limitations surface as your business evolves. You now maintain seven to ten workarounds across spreadsheets, notes, and manual processes. Total: 60 to 120 minutes daily.
Year 3
Systems Strain Under Growth
More employees mean more people executing workarounds with varying consistency. Errors increase. Training new hires includes teaching the unofficial processes alongside the official software.
Year 4
Workaround Debt Compounds
What started as minor adaptations has become a parallel operating system. You spend more time managing workarounds than the software was supposed to save in the first place.
The Error Cost Multiplier
Workarounds introduce error opportunities that automated systems eliminate. A quote calculation done manually might be wrong 3 to 5 percent of the time. On 200 quotes annually averaging $3,000 each, that is $18,000 to $30,000 in pricing errors. Some go unnoticed and cost you profit. Others get caught by customers and cost you credibility.
Custom systems eliminate workarounds at the source. When your software matches your workflows, there are no gaps requiring manual bridging. Information flows automatically from one process to the next. The cost of workarounds drops to zero because workarounds become unnecessary.
Ownership and Exit: What Happens When You Leave
Every software relationship eventually ends. Understanding exit terms before you enter helps avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Zero transfer fees
With 60 days notice from Dirty Work Software
Off-the-shelf software typically allows data export in standard formats. You can download customer lists, job history, and financial records. But functionality stops the moment you stop paying. Your workflows, automations, and configured processes disappear. You export data, not working systems.
Exit Terms: Off-the-Shelf vs Custom
Off-the-Shelf Exit Reality
Data Export: Standard formats like CSV or Excel. You get the information but lose the structure, relationships, and automation that made it useful.
Functionality Loss: Everything stops working immediately upon cancellation. Dispatch, scheduling, invoicing, customer communications. All gone.
Transition Timeline: Typically immediate cutoff. Some platforms offer 30-day grace periods, but working systems cease when payments cease.
Retraining Requirements: Moving to any new platform requires complete retraining of staff on different interfaces, different workflows, different processes.
Custom System Exit Reality
Full System Transfer: Working websites, databases, and automations transfer to your direct control. Everything keeps running after you leave.
Continued Functionality: Systems continue operating on platforms you own. Wix site stays live. AppSheet database stays accessible. Make.com automations keep firing.
Transition Support: 60 days notice enables smooth handoff. We document everything, transfer admin access, and ensure you can manage independently.
No Retraining Required: Same interfaces, same workflows, same processes. Nothing changes except who manages the backend.
The ownership difference matters most when circumstances change. Business sale, partnership dissolution, financial difficulties, or simply wanting to bring system management in-house. Custom systems give you options. Subscription software gives you data exports and a deadline.
Our Specific Transfer Terms
Sixty days written notice enables free transfer of all systems to your control. Your domain transfers to a registrar account you create. Your Wix site transfers to your Wix account. Your AppSheet database remains in your Google account where it already lives. Your Make.com scenarios transfer to your Make.com account.
After transfer, you become responsible for platform costs. Google Workspace runs $7 to $22 per user monthly. Make.com costs $30 to $87 monthly. Wix runs $19 to $34 monthly. Domain renewal runs approximately $25 annually. Total platform costs typically range from $100 to $200 monthly for most contractors, far less than subscription software.
Less than 60 days notice incurs a $1,000 rushed transfer fee to cover accelerated documentation and handoff work. AppSheet database handoff requires a $500 one-time fee for the technical transfer process. These fees exist to cover real costs, not to create exit barriers.
Build Systems You Actually Own
Subscription software keeps you paying forever for access to someone else's platform. Custom systems become permanent business assets that work whether you continue our partnership or not. No hostage situations. No data lockups. No functionality that disappears when circumstances change.
See what ownership versus renting could mean for your bottom line. Or book a 15-minute Operations Review to discuss your specific situation.
Real Timeline Expectations
Both approaches require implementation time. Understanding realistic timelines helps with planning and prevents disappointment from unrealistic expectations.
Off-the-Shelf Implementation Timeline
1
Sales and evaluation process
Demos, trials, pricing negotiations, and contract review. Two to four weeks for thorough evaluation before committing.
2-4 Weeks
2
Initial configuration
Setting up account, entering business information, configuring basic workflows. Platform-guided process with setup wizards.
1-2 Weeks
3
Data migration
Moving existing customer lists, job history, and other records into new system. Complexity varies with data volume.
1-3 Weeks
4
Team training
Staff learning new interfaces, workflows, and processes. Typical full adoption requires 20 to 40 hours per person.
2-4 Weeks
5
Workflow refinement
Discovering limitations and building workarounds for processes that do not fit. Ongoing as you encounter edge cases.
Ongoing
Total off-the-shelf implementation typically runs six to twelve weeks before your team reaches functional proficiency. Full optimization with workarounds developed and documented often takes three to six months.
Custom System Build Phases
Phase 1
Discovery and Planning
Understanding your workflows, identifying integration requirements, designing system architecture. Thorough planning prevents expensive changes later.
Phase 2
Website Foundation Build
Custom Wix site with lead capture, mobile optimization, and basic automation. Typically the first deliverable at 8 to 12 weeks.
Phase 3
Database Development
AppSheet system covering contacts, quoting, job tracking, and core operations. Delivered in working phases over 10 to 14 weeks.
Phase 4
Operations Integration
Time tracking, payroll, invoicing, accounting connections. Final milestone at 8 to 12 weeks completing the full system.
Phase 5
Refinement and Training
System optimization based on real usage, staff training, documentation, and process improvements. Ongoing after initial build.
Complete custom system implementation runs four to eight months depending on scope. Each milestone delivers working functionality, so you gain value progressively rather than waiting for full completion. Website works while database is being built. Database works while operations integration is being completed.
What is a Profit and Why You Should Be Making One
AppSheet database development represents a significant investment in your business infrastructure, but one that typically pays for itself within months through labor savings and operational efficiency. Our pricing reflects the complexity of the system, number of integrated modules, and ongoing automation requirements. We structure agreements to align our success with yours through performance-based pricing models.
Development Investment and Ongoing Service Costs
Custom database systems require substantial upfront design and development work to build properly. Unlike template solutions that force you into predetermined structures, true custom development involves understanding your unique workflows, designing appropriate data models, building user interfaces optimized for your processes, and creating integrations that connect your technology ecosystem.
Development timelines typically range from 4-12 weeks depending on system complexity. A basic lead management and quoting system might require 6-8 weeks, while a comprehensive business operating system with time tracking, inventory management, payroll integration, and customer portals could take 10-14 weeks. Rush timelines are possible for additional fees when business circumstances require faster implementation.
Benefit Card
Most contractor websites remain optimized exclusively for traditional search engines, creating significant opportunity for early adopters of GEO strategies. By structuring content to serve both traditional SEO and AI-powered search, your website positions your business for visibility across all discovery channels as customer search behavior continues evolving toward AI-assisted research and decision-making.
Highlight Card: A $30,000 upfront development fee creates significant cash flow strain for small contractors and provides no ongoing incentive for us to optimize your system. A 4% revenue share on $500,000 in annual jobs costs you $20,000 yearly while ensuring we remain invested in your success, continuously improving the system, and responding quickly to issues. As your revenue grows, we benefit proportionally, creating perfect alignment.
Stat Card
Typical Office Labor Savings From Hiring Robots to Do Everything For You
Feature List
Initial System Design and Development: One-time investment covering.....
Initial System Design and Development: One-time investment covering.....
Initial System Design and Development: One-time investment covering.....
Initial System Design and Development: One-time investment covering.....
Initial System Design and Development: One-time investment covering.....
Process List
1
Customer Submits Website Form
Lead information instantly captured with project details, service type, and location data
Instant
2
Automatic CRM Entry Created
Contact record generated in AppSheet database with task assignment to sales team
2 seconds
3
Follow-Up Email Sequence Triggers
Automated thank you email with company info and estimated response timeline
1 minute
4
Quote Generated & Sent
Sales rep uses template system to create branded PDF proposal with pricing calculator
15 minutes
Step List
1
Emergency Services
Immediate response emphasis, 24/7 availability, fast turnaround time, emergency pricing transparency
2
Major Projects
Educational content focus, financing options, project timeline explanations, detailed process overview, past project galleries
3
Maintenance Services
Value of preventive care, contract benefits, seasonal reminders, long-term cost savings, warranty information
4
General Inquiries
Exploratory discovery questions, range of services showcase, consultation offer, flexible scheduling, free estimate emphasis
Different Follow-Up Strategies by Service
1
Emergency Services
Immediate response emphasis, 24/7 availability, fast turnaround time, emergency pricing transparency
2
Major Projects
Educational content focus, financing options, project timeline explanations, detailed process overview, past project galleries
3
Maintenance Services
Value of preventive care, contract benefits, seasonal reminders, long-term cost savings, warranty information
4
General Inquiries
Exploratory discovery questions, range of services showcase, consultation offer, flexible scheduling, free estimate emphasis
Automated Follow-Up Sequence Example
Step 1
Immediate Response (2 minutes)
Automated email confirms receipt of their inquiry, sets expectations for when you'll call, provides your direct phone number and office hours. Builds confidence you received their information.
Step 2
Next Business Day (24 hours)
Our team creates a tailored database structure and automation blueprint specific to your business operations and service offerings.
Step 3
Value-Add Content (Day 3)
Educational email related to their service request. HVAC prospects get "5 Signs You Need AC Replacement vs Repair." Plumbing prospects get "How to Choose a Plumber for Major Projects."
Step 4
Check-In (Day 7)
Friendly check-in asking if they've made a decision or have questions. Offers to schedule estimate at their convenience. Includes testimonials from recent similar projects.
Step 5
Final Touch (Day 14)
Last follow-up before lead goes to longer-term nurture sequence. Emphasizes your availability, includes limited-time offer or seasonal promotion if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom vs Off-the-Shelf Contractor Software
Is custom contractor software really worth the higher upfront cost?
The math favors custom systems for most contractors over a three-year horizon. Consider the complete picture: ServiceTitan at $3,000 monthly for three years totals $108,000 plus implementation fees, and you own nothing at the end. Custom systems at $40,000 build plus $3,000 monthly support totals $148,000 over three years, but you own permanent assets. Add workaround costs of $12,000 to $20,000 annually for poorly fitted generic software, and custom systems often cost less total while delivering better fit. The break-even point typically falls between 18 and 24 months, after which custom systems cost less every subsequent year.
How long does it take to build a custom system compared to deploying off-the-shelf software?
Off-the-shelf software deploys faster initially, typically six to twelve weeks to functional proficiency. Custom systems require four to eight months for complete implementation. However, custom systems deliver working functionality in phases, so you gain value progressively. Website goes live at eight to twelve weeks. Database follows at ten to fourteen weeks. Full operations integration completes the system. The longer timeline reflects building systems that actually match your workflows rather than adapting to someone else's assumptions.
What happens if Dirty Work Software goes out of business?
Everything keeps running because you own the systems on platforms you control. Your Wix website stays live on Wix servers. Your AppSheet database remains in your Google account. Your Make.com automations continue firing. You would need to find someone else to maintain and improve the systems, but nothing stops working. This is fundamentally different from subscription software where functionality ceases if the company disappears or discontinues your product.
Can I start with off-the-shelf and switch to custom later?
Yes, though the transition involves costs. Your data exports from current software and imports into custom databases. Some historical context transfers cleanly. Other elements require manual reconstruction. We have helped contractors migrate from ServiceTitan, Jobber, and Housecall Pro to custom systems. Typical migration adds $3,000 to $8,000 to the build cost depending on data complexity. Starting with custom avoids this migration cost, but financial constraints sometimes make the staged approach more practical.
Do I need technical skills to manage custom systems?
No. We design systems for contractors, not IT professionals. Daily operations happen through simple interfaces designed for your team. Adding a new customer, creating a quote, updating job status. All straightforward tasks your current staff can handle. Technical maintenance, updates, and improvements are included in ongoing support tiers. You focus on running your business. We handle the technology backend.
How do custom systems handle QuickBooks integration?
We build direct connections to QuickBooks Online configured for your specific chart of accounts and workflow. Completed jobs can trigger invoice creation automatically. Time logs can flow to payroll processing. The integration matches your accounting processes rather than forcing you to adapt to generic templates. ServiceTitan and similar platforms also integrate with QuickBooks, but with less flexibility in how the connection operates.
What if my business needs change after the system is built?
Custom systems adapt because they are built on flexible platforms. Need to add a new service line? We update your quoting templates. Growing into commercial work requiring different job tracking? We modify database structures. Opening a second location? We extend systems to handle multi-location operations. Changes are covered by ongoing development hours in your support tier. Off-the-shelf software limits you to features the vendor chooses to build for their entire customer base.
Is custom software only for large contractors?
Custom systems work best for contractors between $150,000 and $2 million in annual revenue. Smaller operations may not generate enough savings to justify the investment. Much larger operations may need enterprise platforms with capabilities beyond our scope. Within this revenue range, custom systems typically pay for themselves within 18 to 24 months through time savings, eliminated workarounds, and improved lead conversion.
How do support costs compare long-term?
Off-the-shelf software charges ongoing subscription fees that typically increase over time. ServiceTitan has raised prices annually for most customers. Custom systems have locked development tier rates for 12 months with maximum 10 percent annual increases and 60 days advance notice. More importantly, custom systems can transition to lower support tiers once they mature. Our Essentials tier at $500 monthly covers monitoring and platform costs for stable systems that no longer need active development. No off-the-shelf platform offers comparable cost reduction as your system matures.
What makes flooring contractors different from other trades for software needs?
Flooring and concrete coating contractors face a genuine market gap. ServiceTitan, Jobber, and Housecall Pro optimize for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical service calls. Flooring retail software like QFloors targets retailers and dealers, not installation contractors. Installation contractors need square footage calculations, material coverage estimates, cure time scheduling, and project-based job tracking. None of the major platforms handles these workflows natively, forcing extensive workarounds. Custom systems built specifically for flooring operations eliminate this mismatch.
Ready to Stop Renting Software and Start Owning Systems?
The build versus buy decision shapes your business technology for years. Off-the-shelf software gets you started quickly with ongoing subscription costs and functionality limitations. Custom systems require more upfront investment but deliver precise fit, permanent ownership, and lower long-term costs. For Oklahoma City area contractors running $150,000 to $2 million in annual revenue, a 15-minute Operations Review clarifies which path fits your specific situation, growth plans, and budget constraints.
Start with the numbers to see what custom systems could save you. Or jump straight to a 15-minute review of your operation.
Let's Talk About Your Business
Every Oklahoma contractor has different needs, workflows, and growth goals. We don't sell one-size-fits-all packages. Instead, we build custom automation systems designed around how your specific business actually operates.
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Built for Contractors
We speak your language. No tech jargon, no corporate nonsense. Real solutions for real field service businesses.
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Proven Systems
Working with contractors across Oklahoma. Your competitors are already automating. Time to catch up or get ahead.
Fast Results
Most businesses see time savings within the first two weeks. Stop doing paperwork, start running jobs.
Flexible Engagement
Choose the pricing model that fits your business stage. We have options for growing contractors and established companies alike.
Long-Term Partnership
We're still supporting contractors we started with years ago. No disappearing after launch. Your business evolves, your systems evolve with it.
Honest Consultation
We'll tell you if automation isn't right for your stage yet. Really. Free consultation means actual advice, not a sales pitch.
