Why digital tools make sense in business
Recording time, writing offers, organizing projects or measuring rooms: many of these tasks in the industry cost unnecessary time if they are still carried out analogically. The good news: There are now simple digital helpers that are adapted exactly to the needs of carpentry shops – without any IT knowledge or training commitment. In four categories we will show you which apps are really useful, what they actually bring to your business and how you can work more digitally step by step without having to change everything.
Time recording and absence management
clockin – time recording simply via app
clockin is an app for attendance tracking and absence documentation developed specifically for artisan businesses. Employees can easily log their working time using a smartphone, tablet or browser app. Particularly practical: the app works in the workshop, in the customer’s home or in the office. Absences such as holidays or illnesses can also be easily documented.
Target group: Small and medium-sized carpentry shops with mobile teams.
Pricing Model:
- Attendance recording and absence management: from €3.19/user/month
- Project time tracking: from €5.59/user/month
- No setup costs, 14-day free trial period
TimeTac: Time tracking and vacation planning for growing teams
TimeTac offers a slightly more comprehensive solution for recording working hours, project hours and absences. In addition to the app, chip terminals are also available.
Target group: Medium-sized carpentry shops with fixed structures and regular staff scheduling.
Pricing Model:
- Basic fee: €17.50/month
- Recording of working hours: €4.40/user/month
- Project time tracking: €8.40/user/month
- Holiday management: €2.80/user/month
Invoicing and accounting
sevDesk – Flexible accounting for the self-employed
sevDesk is a cloud-based invoicing, quote management and accounting software, particularly suitable for small businesses and self-employed people. You can write offers and invoices in just a few clicks, digitize receipts and even prepare the advance VAT return.
Target group: small and medium-sized carpentry shops
Pricing Model:
- €25.90/month (invoice and accounting)
- Additional features such as banking services, paid reminders
- Try it free for 14 days
Lexware Office: Launch easily and securely
Lexware Office offers an easy-to-understand billing and accounting solution that’s ideal for merchants with no prior experience. The software guides you through the processes – from the offer to the annual financial statement – and remains legally compliant and clear.
Target group: Self-employed workers and small carpenters looking for a simple and safe solution for their office work.
Pricing Model:
- €19.90/month (full package)
- Desktop software for Windows, cloud solution with optional Lexware Office
- Try it free for 30 days
Project organization and communication
clockin: project overview, checklists and communication
In addition to time recording, clockin also offers practical functions for digital project documentation. Each project can be recorded directly through the app with photos, notes, checklists and other information, exactly where the work is done. This ensures a better overview in your daily work: you always know what the status of your projects is, without having to constantly ask questions or make phone calls.
Target group: Ideal for companies that manage multiple projects at the same time and don’t want to lose track and do without paperwork.
Pricing Model:
- Attendance registration and documentation: from €7.99/user/month
- No installation costs, free testing possible
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Craftnote: The digital construction file for your team
Craftnote replaces the classic project folder with a digital construction file where you share plans, photos, tasks, and messages with your team.
Target group: Small and medium-sized carpentry shops that want to better document their construction site
Pricing Model:
- Office: €29.90/user/month
- Construction site: €14.90/user/month
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Measurements, sketches and planning
magicplan – measuring app for quick start
With magicplan you can measure rooms using your smartphone or tablet and create floor plans from them, without a ruler or CAD knowledge. The app automatically detects walls, windows and doors. You can insert furniture, adjust dimensions and export the floor plan as a PDF or CAD file
Target group: Individual carpenters or small businesses who want to quickly create a space concept for the customer or on the construction site.
Pricing Model:
- Free for up to 2 projects
- Report package: €399.99/year
- Quote package: €899.99/year (including quote, materials, etc.)
SketchUp: 3D furniture design for beginners
Sketchup is simple yet powerful 3D CAD software that lets you digitally design furniture, fixtures, or entire rooms. The software offers numerous templates and intuitive operation, ideal for showing projects to clients or for your own planning.
Target group: Carpenters specializing in furniture making, interior design or shopfitting looking for an easy introduction to CAD software.
Pricing Model:
- SketchUp Free: Free (for private use only, browser)
- Go: €18.99/month
- Pro: €89.99/month
- Studio: €788/year (incl. professional features)
Conclusion: the right app for your carpentry business
Digital tools can make your daily work much easier, as long as they are right for your company. The crucial thing is: which processes do you want to digitize? How many people work? And how much flexibility do you need in everyday life?
Interfaces are a particularly important factor: you won’t find a single solution that has all the functions you need. However, many tools offer interfaces with other solutions. This means that personal data, absences, material quantities, etc. can be transferred automatically. Real-time savings are only achieved when your tools communicate with each other. A good solution, for example, combines the recording of project times with invoicing: this way double recordings are avoided and everything is kept under control.
We recommend starting with a smaller step, such as recording working hours and, for example, looking for a connection to your payroll software. From there you can add absences or project documentation with a new tool or expand the package of a previous one.
