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Best Way to Track Time As a Contractor

Harvest helps contractors avoid 15-25% revenue loss by offering automated timesheets and precise job-specific tracking.

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How many hours did you work this week?

Enter your clock-in and clock-out times for each day. The calculator handles breaks, overtime, and weekly totals automatically.

Day Clock In Clock Out Break Hours
Total hours this week 0h
Regular hours (≤40) 0h
Overtime hours 0h
Average hours/day 0h
Total break time 0h

Track time automatically with Harvest

Walk through the entire flow below. Start a timer, check your reports, and create a real invoice — all in three clicks.

Go ahead — start tracking!

One click and you're timing. Try it right here: start a timer, add an entry, edit the details. This is exactly how it feels in Harvest.

  • One-click timer from browser, desktop & mobile
  • Works inside Jira, Asana, Trello, GitHub & 50+ tools
  • Duration or start/end — your call
  • Day, week & calendar views to stay on top of it all
  • Friendly reminders so no hour gets left behind
Acme Corp
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Homepage layout revisions
1:24:09
Content Strategy
Blog calendar planning
1:30:00
SEO Audit
Technical audit report
0:45:00
Brand Guidelines
Color system documentation
2:15:00
Logo Concepts
Initial sketches round 1
1:00:00
Today's total 6:54:09

Why Accurate Time Tracking is Essential for Contractors

For contractors, accurate time tracking is crucial to avoid significant revenue losses and ensure compliance. Inefficient systems can result in a 15-25% loss of billable hours, potentially costing a firm billing $200/hour up to $1.3 million annually. Furthermore, construction companies may face an 8% loss in payroll expenses due to inaccurate records and payroll errors. By implementing precise time tracking, contractors can capture all billable hours, enhancing profitability and project management efficiency.

Accurate time tracking not only affects the bottom line but also aids in project management and forecasting. Real-time data provides insights into labor costs and project progress, allowing for more accurate bids and preventing budget overruns. Additionally, maintaining proper records is vital for adhering to labor laws and regulations, such as the Davis-Bacon Act, reducing the risk of penalties that can reach up to $13,508 per violation.

Features to Look for in a Contractor-Friendly Time Tracking Tool

Choosing the right time tracking tool is critical for contractors seeking efficiency and compliance. Tools should offer mobile accessibility with GPS and geofencing capabilities to verify location and prevent time theft. Automated time recording with detailed categorization allows contractors to distinguish between billable and non-billable hours, essential for accurate client billing.

Integration capabilities are another key feature. A tool must seamlessly integrate with payroll, accounting, and project management systems to streamline workflows and reduce manual errors. Harvest, for instance, integrates with popular systems like QuickBooks and Xero, facilitating smooth payment processes. Additionally, customizable reporting provides insights into labor hours, productivity, and costs, helping contractors optimize their operations.

Best Practices for Implementing Contractor Time Tracking

Implementing time tracking successfully involves selecting intuitive tools and providing thorough training. Contractors should prioritize user-friendly platforms like Harvest, which offer features such as automated timesheets and job-specific tracking, reducing the need for extensive training. Educating teams on the importance of accurate time recording enhances adoption and compliance.

Establishing clear policies and approval workflows is also crucial. Define guidelines for what constitutes billable activities and implement a multi-level approval process for timesheets. Regularly reviewing generated reports can help identify inefficiencies, optimize resource allocation, and refine future project estimates and billing strategies, ultimately improving business outcomes.

Navigating Compliance and Industry-Specific Challenges

Understanding regulatory requirements is essential for contractors, especially those involved in government projects. Compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act and other prevailing wage laws necessitates accurate record-keeping and adherence to specific guidelines. For instance, time must be logged daily, with project-specific coding and supervisor approvals, as required by DCAA standards.

Construction-specific challenges also need addressing, such as managing mobile workforces across multiple job sites. Features like geofencing and cost coding help manage these challenges effectively. While Harvest lacks GPS and geofencing, its robust job-specific tracking and integration capabilities make it a valuable tool for contractors navigating these complexities.

Track Time Efficiently with Harvest

See how Harvest's automated timesheets and job-specific tracking help contractors maximize billable hours and streamline operations.

Screenshot of Harvest time tracking features tailored for contractors.

Best Way to Track Time As a Contractor FAQs

  • Contractors should look for tools with mobile accessibility, GPS tracking, and automated timesheets. Integration with payroll systems and project management software is also crucial for streamlining workflows.

  • Accurate billing can be ensured by using automated tracking to capture all billable hours, differentiating between billable and non-billable time, and utilizing detailed categorization for project-specific tasks.

  • Yes, many time tracking tools offer free trials, such as Harvest's 30-day trial. It's important to evaluate if the features meet your specific needs as a contractor before committing.

  • Time tracking apps like Harvest integrate with payroll systems such as QuickBooks and Xero, streamlining payment processes by automatically transferring time data to your payroll software.

  • Contractors must adhere to regulations like the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires accurate time records for compliance. This includes daily logging, project-specific coding, and supervisor approvals.

  • Common challenges include ensuring accurate time entry, preventing time theft, and integrating systems to avoid manual errors. Tools like Harvest address these with automated timesheets and seamless integrations.

  • Harvest offers automated timesheets, job-specific tracking, and seamless payroll integration, helping contractors maximize their billable hours and reduce manual data entry.

  • Yes, Harvest includes expense tracking with receipt capture, allowing contractors to manage both time and expenses efficiently within the same platform.