Creating items for job phases

You can use service items to divide jobs into phases of construction. In order to get a detailed job cost report in QuickBooks, you should create a list of items that match your standard list of project phases. For example, if you use a specific list such as the 16 CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) divisions to generate estimates, you can create that list in QuickBooks using service items.

To create a new job phase service item

1. From the Lists menu, choose Item List .

2. From the Item menu button, choose New.

3. In the Type field of the New Item window, choose Service.

   Selecting the Service type allows you to use the item for Labor, Materials, Subcontractor, Equipment Rental, and Other (LMSE&O) costs.

4. Enter an item name or number; for example, 01 Fees & Permits.

   What you enter here appears on the job cost reports. Enter a name or number that will help you distinguish this item from all the others on the list.

5. Important Make sure to select the "This service is performed by a subcontractor, owner, or partner" checkbox, and choose expense and income accounts for the item.

   For Expense Account, select your Job Related Costs account. For Income Account, select your Construction Income account. Then each time you use the item, the cost of the item is linked to your Job Related Costs expense account, and the customer invoice for the item is linked to your Construction Income account.

6. Fill in other fields for the item, as appropriate, and click OK.

Related topics

• Setting up your items

• Creating subitems

• Creating a group of items

• Creating items for an inventory-based business