Harvest
Time Tracking
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Small Business Time Tracking Software for Contractors

For contractors struggling with outdated time tracking methods, Harvest offers a modern solution to enhance project management and profitability analysis.

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What should you charge per hour?

Most freelancers and consultants dramatically undercharge. This calculator accounts for what most people miss: non-billable time, taxes, and overhead.

$
Accounting for vacation, holidays, sick days
60%
Most freelancers can bill 50-70% of their time. The rest goes to admin, marketing, proposals, and learning.
$
Software, insurance, equipment, accounting, taxes beyond income tax, etc.
Your break-even rate $0
Recommended rate (+20% buffer) $0
Billable hours per week 0h
Equivalent daily rate $0

Start tracking your billable hours

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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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

The Shift to Digital Time Tracking for Contractors

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the construction industry from manual timesheets to digital time tracking solutions. Despite this, 38% of U.S. companies still rely on outdated methods like paper timesheets and punch cards. The transition to digital tools addresses numerous challenges, such as improving accuracy and eliminating errors associated with manual entry. Automated labor tracking systems can reduce administrative costs by up to 30% and cut payroll processing time by up to 70%. By identifying inefficiencies early, accurate time tracking can lead to a 5-10% reduction in labor costs.

Harvest offers a robust solution for contractors seeking to modernize their time tracking processes. With the ability to track time against specific projects and tasks, Harvest helps contractors align their labor efforts with project phases and milestones. This functionality ensures that contractors can manage their time effectively, ultimately contributing to more accurate project forecasting and improved profitability.

Enhancing Project Management with Real-Time Data

Real-time data has become an invaluable asset in time tracking, especially in the construction industry. It allows project managers to monitor progress, make immediate adjustments, and identify at-risk deadlines. On average, construction projects exceed their budget by 16% and run 20% longer than scheduled, highlighting the importance of real-time visibility.

Harvest excels in providing this crucial real-time insight, integrating seamlessly with project management tools like Basecamp, Asana, and Trello. This integration enables contractors to reflect labor hours accurately in their overall project plans. By keeping labor efforts aligned with project milestones, Harvest not only supports better time management but also enhances project profitability analysis through detailed reporting features.

Improving Compliance and Accountability in Construction

Compliance with regulations is a critical concern in the construction industry. For instance, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act mandates employers to keep accurate records of hours worked. Failure to comply can result in penalties, including civil fines and even criminal charges in severe cases. Automated time tracking solutions help in maintaining these records accurately.

While Harvest does not offer GPS tracking to monitor job site attendance, it provides mobile apps for iPhone and Android, allowing contractors to track their time on the go. This flexibility helps ensure accountability without the need for additional hardware or complex setups. By integrating with other business processes, Harvest also facilitates consistent record-keeping and synchronization across various functions, supporting overall compliance efforts.

Streamlining Time Tracking and Payroll Processes

Automated time tracking systems are crucial for streamlining payroll processes and reducing errors. Manual processes are prone to inaccuracies, such as inflated hour entries and "buddy punching." By utilizing digital solutions, businesses can prevent these common mistakes and improve payroll accuracy.

Harvest provides contractors with a comprehensive time tracking solution that integrates with payroll systems, effectively eliminating manual data entry. This integration can speed up payroll processing by up to 70%, ensuring that contractors receive timely and accurate payments. Moreover, Harvest's detailed activity logs enhance transparency for billing and client documentation, aiding in successful bidding strategies.

The Value of Integration and Training in Time Tracking

Investing in user-friendly time tracking software with advanced controls is essential for any contractor. Experts recommend systems that integrate seamlessly with payroll and accounting software to avoid manual data re-entry and reduce errors. Providing sufficient training and clearly communicating time tracking policies are considered best practices to ensure adoption and accuracy.

Harvest facilitates this integration by supporting popular project management tools, which enhances workflow efficiency for contractors. By offering robust reporting features and the ability to track time against specific project phases, Harvest not only simplifies the time tracking process but also empowers contractors to make informed business decisions. This strategic approach to time management ultimately leads to improved project outcomes and profitability.

Harvest Time Tracking for Contractors

See how Harvest helps contractors track project hours and enhance workflow efficiency with seamless integration features.

Screenshot of Harvest time tracking software for contractors.

Small Business Time Tracking Software for Contractors FAQs

  • Harvest integrates seamlessly with popular project management tools like Basecamp, Asana, and Trello. This allows contractors to align labor hours with project milestones and enhance workflow efficiency.

  • Contractors benefit from digital time tracking through improved accuracy, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced project management. Automated systems can cut payroll processing time by up to 70% and reduce labor costs by 5-10%.

  • Real-time data allows project managers to monitor progress and make immediate adjustments, preventing overruns. This visibility is crucial as the average construction project exceeds its budget by 16%.

  • Yes, Harvest offers mobile apps for iPhone and Android, enabling contractors to track their time on the go. This flexibility ensures accountability and supports efficient time management.

  • Manual time tracking is prone to errors such as inflated hour entries and "buddy punching." These inaccuracies can impact payroll and project profitability, making digital solutions a necessary upgrade.

  • Harvest provides detailed profitability reports, allowing contractors to analyze project performance at various levels. This data aids in better decision-making and improves overall project outcomes.

  • Integration with payroll and accounting systems eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and speeds up payroll processing. It ensures consistent records and seamless workflow synchronization.