Questions People Ask
Can't see yours? Just ask.
What do you actually do?
I get trade businesses' systems working properly: job management software, quoting, invoicing and the workflow around them. I can fix it for you or show you how.
Are you a ServiceM8 partner?
Yes, I'm a ServiceM8 Certified Partner. I set up, clean up, train and support businesses using ServiceM8.
Do you set up NextMinute?
NextMinute handles its own setup. As a Certified NextMinute Partner, I help you and your team use it properly once you're up and running.
Can you help me move to Fergus?
Yes. Fergus's own team looks after most of the setup. As a Fergus Bronze Partner, I help businesses move to Fergus from other software or paper, clean up existing Fergus accounts, and train and support you and your team.
What other systems do you work with?
Tradify, Splose, Zanda, Dubsado, HoneyBook and others. If it's a job management or business system, I can usually learn it and get it working for you.
Which is better: ServiceM8, NextMinute or Fergus?
It depends on the work you do. ServiceM8 suits lots of shorter service and maintenance jobs, NextMinute suits builders running bigger jobs in stages, and Fergus suits plumbers, electricians and HVAC businesses juggling materials and crews. There's a quick comparison further down this page, and I'm happy to talk it through.
What's the difference between "fix it for me" and "show me how"?
Fix it for me means I do the setup and clean up behind the scenes. Show me how means one-on-one training so you or your office team can run it yourselves. Plenty of people do a bit of both.
Can you train my office staff?
Yes. Training can be for you, your office team or new staff as they start, in your own system using your own jobs.
Do you work outside Gladstone?
Yes. I'm based in Gladstone QLD and work with trade businesses across Queensland and Australia, all remotely.
How do we get started?
Book a call, or send an enquiry through the contact page. We'll talk through what's slowing you down and I'll tell you where I'd start.
How does ongoing support work?
It's flexible. Book help as you need it, or buy a prepaid package of time for the week. Prepaid time is used within that week and doesn't carry over, and all time is tracked so you can see exactly where it went. All work is invoiced weekly, so there are no surprise bills. Use the time for keeping the system running, looking after the day to day or a regular catch up to talk things through.
Do you work with allied health, NDIS and other service businesses?
Yes. As well as trade businesses, I work with allied health clinics, NDIS providers, cleaning companies and other service businesses. I support systems like Splose, Zanda, Dubsado and HoneyBook, from setup and automations to training your team and ongoing support.
ServiceM8, NextMinute or Fergus? Which Suits Your Business
All three are good job management systems. The best one is the one that fits the work you actually do. Here's a quick guide.
| Feature | ServiceM8 | NextMinute | Fergus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Lots of shorter jobs: service, maintenance and call-outs. Electricians, plumbers, air con, pest control, cleaning and mobile services. | Builders and trades running bigger jobs in stages: renovations, extensions, carpentry, landscaping and roofing. | Plumbers, electricians, HVAC and builders juggling materials, purchase orders and crews across jobs. |
| Where it shines | Keeping customers in the loop without anyone remembering to: booking confirmations, reminders and on my way texts. | Tracking variations and costs against the estimate, and sending progress claims as the job moves along. | Job cards that keep quotes, purchase orders, notes, photos and progress together in one place. |
| Quoting | Quote templates and line items, sent from the job for the customer to accept online. | Quotes built from supplier price books and takeoffs, sent for online approval. | Professional quotes from your price lists, sent straight from the job. |
| Scheduling | Calendar and dispatch with day, week and month views and team capacity at a glance. | Tasks planned in stages on a timeline, so everyone can see what is on and what is next. | Drag and drop calendar with day, week and month views showing who is where. |
| On site | Full app for iPhone and Android: job details, photos, forms and clocking on and off. | Crew app for logging time, photos and site notes, with plans and job details on hand. | iPhone and Android app to quote, invoice and manage jobs on site. |
| Getting paid | Invoice from the job and take card payments with ServiceM8 Pay. | Progress claims and final invoices straight from the job. | Invoices from the job details, with Fergus Pay for tap to pay on the spot. |
| Accounts and suppliers | Connects with Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks. | Connects with Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks, and imports supplier price books. | Connects with Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks, plus suppliers like Reece and Tradelink. |
| How I help | Setup, clean ups, templates, training and ongoing support. ServiceM8 Certified Partner. | Training and support once you are up and running. Certified NextMinute Partner. | Moving across from other software, clean ups, training and ongoing support. Fergus Bronze Partner. |
A general guide only. Every business is different and the software changes often, so check the latest features with each provider. Already on one of these and not sure it's the right fit? Let's talk it through.
Let's chat