ABOUT US
Our Story
At Sabelhaus Bookkeeping, we’ve spent years working alongside small business owners in the trades, so we know the ins and outs of job costing, project cash flow, contractor compliance, and all the complexities you face every day. Whether you're an electrician, HVAC tech, plumber, or contractor, we take the financial tasks off your plate so you can focus on doing what you do best. With deep knowledge in helping tradespeople, straightforward advice with zero jargon, and year-round support, our team will keep your books clean, tax-ready, and primed for growth.
SERVICES
Full-Service Bookkeeping
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We manage every aspect of your monthly or quarterly bookkeeping so you don't have to. Perfect for busy trade professionals who want accuracy, insight, and peace of mind.
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Tax-Ready Financials: Every report and record we maintain is prepared to make tax season a breeze.
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Starting at $300/month.
QuickBooks Setup & Catch-Up
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Whether you're new to QuickBooks or need help cleaning up years of backlogged books, we'll get you set up with a system that's tailored specifically for your business and simple to manage.
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Catch-Up Bookkeeping: We’ll comb through years of transactions to fix coding issues, reconcile accounts, close gaps, and organize your data into a functional financial system.
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Price varies based on situation.
Diagnostic Review & Cleanup
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A full inspection of your books to identify errors, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement. We'll set up your system so you can move forward with clarity.
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Compliance Check: We make sure your books are accurate, properly categorized, and aligned with tax and accounting standards.
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Price varies based on situation.
Payroll Services
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We help you onboard with a trusted payroll provider and ensure proper account configuration to make sure payday is stress-free.
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Processing Oversight: We verify wages, ensure tax withholdings are accurate, and oversee payment submission.
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Compliance & Reporting: From quarterly filings to end-of-year forms (like W-2s and 1099s), we’ve got it handled.
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Starting at $300/month.
"I’ve been working with Sabelhaus Bookkeeping for over 10 years, and I honestly can’t imagine running my business without Michelle. She’s been a steady, reliable partner every step of the way. Helping me stay on top of all the admin and bookkeeping tasks that used to overwhelm me. Her support has played a big role in my company’s growth and success."
Marnie L.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a bookkeeper do for a contractor or trades business?
A bookkeeper keeps your financials organized, accurate, and up to date. This can include categorizing expenses, reconciling accounts, managing accounts receivable and payable, tracking job-related expenses, and providing monthly financial reports so you can see how your business is performing.
2. How much does bookkeeping for a contractor cost?
Bookkeeping costs vary depending on the size and complexity of your business, the number of transactions, payroll needs, and the condition of your existing books. We offer customized bookkeeping for contractors, electricians, HVAC companies, plumbers, and other trades businesses based on their specific needs.
3. Do you provide bookkeeping services for contractors and trades businesses?
Yes! We specialize in bookkeeping for contractors and trades businesses. We understand the unique challenges of service-based businesses, including tracking expenses, managing payroll, monitoring profitability, and understanding which jobs are actually making money.
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4. Can you clean up my Quickbooks account?
Yes! We provide cleanup and catch-up services for businesses whose books are behind, disorganized, or inaccurate. We can review transactions, reconcile accounts, correct categorization issues, and get your books organized so you can confidently move forward with monthly bookkeeping.
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5. Do you provide Quickbooks Online bookkeeping services?
Yes. We work with businesses using Quickbooks Online and can help with everything from Quickbooks setup and cleanup to ongoing monthly bookkeeping and financial reporting.
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6. Can bookkeeping help me determine which jobs are profitable?
Absolutely! Proper bookkeeping can help you understand your revenue, labor costs, materials, subcontractor expenses, and other job-related costs. This gives you better insight into your job profitability and helps you identify where your business is making (or losing) money.
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7. Do you provide bookkeeping for HVAC companies, electricians, and plumbers?
Yes. We work with trades businesses such as HVAC companies, electrical contractors, plumbers, and other service-based contractors. Our bookkeeping services are designed around the financial needs of businesses that manage employees, service calls, materials, vehicles, and job-related expenses.
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8. Do you offer payroll services for contractors?
Yes. Payroll services can be added to your bookkeeping package to help keep employee wages, payroll taxes, and payroll-related transactions organized and properly recorded in your books.
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9. How often should a contractor have their books updated?
For most contractors and trades businesses, monthly bookkeeping is a good starting point. Keeping your books current allows you to regularly review revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profitability instead of waiting until tax time to find out how your business is doing.
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10. What financial reports should a contractor review each month?
Contractors should typically review their Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and cash flow information each month. Depending on the business, additional reporting can help track job profitability, labor costs, materials, overhead, and other key performance indicators.
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11. Why is bookkeeping important for contractors?
Accurate bookkeeping helps contractors understand where their money is going and whether the business is actually profitable. It also helps with cash flow management, budgeting, tax preparation, payroll, and making informed business decisions.
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12. Can you help if my bookkeeping is several months behind?
Yes. We offer catch-up and cleanup bookkeeping services for businesses that have fallen behind. We'll assess the condition of your books and determine what needs to be corrected before transitioning you into ongoing monthly bookkeeping.
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13. Do you work with small construction and service businesses?
Yes! We work with small businesses and growing trades companies that need reliable bookkeeping without having to maintain a full-time accounting department. Our goal is to give business owners accurate financial information so they can focus on running their company.
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14. How can bookkeeping help my contracting business make more money?
Good bookkeeping gives you visibility into your revenue, expenses, overhead, labor costs, and profitability. With accurate financial information, you can identify unnecessary expenses, evaluate pricing, spot profit leaks, and make better decisions about which services and jobs are most profitable.
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15. When should I hire a bookkeeper for my contracting business?
If you're spending too much time in Quickbooks, your books are behind, you're unsure how profitable your jobs are, or you're constantly waiting until tax time to understand your numbers, it may be time to hire a bookkeeper. Having your books maintained throughout the year gives you timely information to make better business decisions.
Distinctions
