Bookkeeping for builders and construction trades in Dorset

Why construction bookkeeping is different

Running a building business means juggling jobs, materials, subcontractors and staff – and HMRC expects every one of them to be recorded correctly. Get CIS or the VAT reverse charge wrong and penalties arrive quickly, even when you’ve done nothing dishonest. With the right bookkeeper, all of this becomes routine.

What I do for builders and trades

• CIS returns – verifying subcontractors, calculating deductions, filing your monthly return by the 19th and sending statements. More about CIS returns
• Payroll – weekly or monthly pay runs for site staff, apprentices and office teams, with pensions and RTI handled. More about payroll
• VAT – quarterly MTD VAT returns with the domestic reverse charge applied correctly on every invoice. More about VAT returns
• Job and materials tracking – see which jobs actually make money, using tracking categories in Xero
• Receipts and mileage – snap receipts on site with your phone; no more carrier bags of paperwork
• Year-end – tidy, reconciled records for your accountant, with CIS suffered and reclaimed clearly shown

Subcontractors: get back what you’re owed

If you’re a self-employed subcontractor, the 20% taken from your invoices is often more than your actual tax bill once expenses are claimed. I keep your records and CIS statements in order so your tax return claims every deduction – and your refund arrives as quickly as possible. If you’re a limited company, I’ll reclaim deductions through your payroll each month.

Contractors: stay on the right side of HMRC

As a contractor you’re responsible for verifying every subcontractor, deducting the right amount and filing on time – every single month. I run the whole process for you and send a simple summary of what to pay HMRC and when. If you’re aiming for gross payment status, I’ll help you keep your compliance record clean so you qualify.

Xero set up for construction

As a Xero Certified Advisor, I set up Xero with its built-in CIS features, reverse-charge VAT codes, job tracking and bank rules, so most of your bookkeeping happens automatically. I can also train you or your office manager to raise invoices and check jobs on the go.

Builders I work with

I work with groundworkers, bricklayers, roofers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, kitchen and bathroom fitters, landscapers and small building firms across Verwood, Ferndown, West Moors, St Leonards, Ringwood, Wimborne, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. Whether you’re a one-person business or a contractor with a team of subbies, the service is personal: you deal with me every time.

Common questions from builders

How much does CIS cost? CIS returns are priced by free quote – just ask. Payroll is £25 a month for up to 4 employees, and general bookkeeping is £25 per hour. See my pricing page.

Can I send paperwork on WhatsApp? Yes. Photos of receipts, invoices and HMRC letters are fine by WhatsApp – many trades find it the easiest way.

I’m behind with my CIS returns. Can you help? Yes – I can file overdue returns, sort out statements and help you deal with any penalties. See catch-up bookkeeping.