Joist

freemium

Joist helps contractors create professional estimates, send invoices, collect payments online, and manage clients — all from one easy-to-use mobile and web app.

Productivity

No-Code

Ecommerce

About

Joist is the leading business management platform for contractors, trusted by over 1.3 million professionals across the trades industry. It simplifies the full job lifecycle — from creating detailed, professional estimates on-site to converting them into invoices and collecting payments digitally. Contractors can accept payments via credit card, eCheck, or third-party homeowner financing, reducing the need for unnecessary trips to the job site. The platform integrates directly with QuickBooks Online to automate bookkeeping, syncing jobs and client data seamlessly. Joist also includes a client management system to store and access contact information securely from any device. Built for mobile-first use, the app boasts a 4.7-star App Store rating with over 10,000 reviews, and users report sales growth of 35–45% and time savings of over 50% on estimating tasks. Joist is available in three plans — Basics, Pro, and Elite — catering to solo contractors and growing teams alike. Whether you're a general contractor, plumber, electrician, roofer, or painter, Joist provides the tools needed to win more jobs, look professional, and get paid faster. Its simple interface avoids feature overload while covering all the essentials of running a contracting business.

Key Features

Professional Estimates: Create detailed, branded estimates on-site in minutes, then convert them directly into invoices with a single tap.
Online Payments: Accept credit card, eCheck, and third-party homeowner financing payments digitally, reducing job-site trips and speeding up cash flow.
QuickBooks Sync: Automatically sync jobs and client data with QuickBooks Online to keep bookkeeping accurate without manual data entry.
Client Management: Store all client information securely in one place, accessible from any mobile device or web browser at any time.
Homeowner Financing: Offer clients flexible financing options to help close larger jobs and increase upsells without complex paperwork.

Use Cases

A roofing contractor creates a detailed estimate on-site during a client consultation and emails it instantly from their phone.
An electrician converts accepted estimates into invoices and collects credit card payment before leaving the job site.
A small plumbing business syncs all job data with QuickBooks Online to automate monthly bookkeeping without hiring an accountant.
A general contractor offers homeowner financing options to help clients afford larger renovation projects, increasing average job size.
A solo painter manages all client contact details, open estimates, and outstanding invoices from a single mobile app while on the go.

Pros

Mobile-First Design: Highly rated on the App Store (4.7 stars), making it easy for contractors to manage their business from the field.
Proven Business Impact: Users report sales growth of 35–45% and over 50% time savings on estimating, with $85B+ in transactions processed.
Seamless QuickBooks Integration: Automatic bookkeeping sync eliminates double data entry and keeps financials organized without extra effort.
Flexible Payment Options: Supports multiple payment methods including financing, making it easy for clients to pay and helping contractors get paid faster.

Cons

Advanced Features Require Paid Plans: Key features like QuickBooks sync, client management, and custom contracts are locked behind Pro or Elite subscription tiers.
Primarily Built for Contractors: The platform is highly specialized for the trades industry and may not suit service businesses outside construction and contracting.
Limited Project Management Depth: While Joist covers estimates and invoicing well, it lacks the deep project scheduling or team coordination tools found in dedicated PM platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joist offers a free Basics plan with core estimating and invoicing features. Pro and Elite plans unlock advanced features like QuickBooks sync, client management, and custom contracts for a monthly subscription fee.

Joist is used by a wide range of contractors including general contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, HVAC technicians, and landscapers — essentially any trade or home services professional.

Yes. Clients can pay via credit card, eCheck, or third-party financing options directly through Joist, making it easy to collect payments without needing to be on-site.

Yes. Joist integrates with QuickBooks Online, automatically syncing jobs and client data to keep your bookkeeping up to date without manual entry. This feature is available on Pro and Elite plans.

Yes. Joist has highly rated iOS and Android apps (4.7 stars, 10,000+ reviews), allowing contractors to create estimates, send invoices, and manage clients directly from their smartphone or tablet.