What is Formal Tradie?

Formal Tradie is a budget tracking and client reporting platform for builders and tradies to efficiently analyse budget variances across a project, and allows the user to instantly generate client facing budget reports using this data.

What is Formal Tradie?

Formal Tradie is project budget tracking and client reporting software built specifically for builders and tradies. It helps you compare estimated versus actual project costs, monitor budget health, and generate professional client-facing budget reports.

Who is Formal Tradie designed for?

Builders, renovation contractors, tradies and construction businesses that need a simple way to track project budgets and communicate costs clearly to clients.

Is Formal Tradie accounting software?

No. Formal Tradie focuses on project budget tracking and client reporting. It does not replace accounting software such as Xero or MYOB.

How quickly can I get started?

You can create your first project, add estimates, and begin recording actual project costs within minutes.

Do I need accounting experience?

No. Formal Tradie is designed to be simple and practical for builders and tradies, with no accounting knowledge required.

How do I create a project?

Open the Projects page, tap "New Project", and follow the three-step form: enter the project name and status, add the client and location, then set the timeline. A project ID (for example PROJ-001) is created automatically.

Can I manage multiple projects?

Yes. Formal Tradie Pro supports unlimited projects.

Can I edit project information after creating it?

Yes. Open any project and use "Edit Project" to update the name, description, client, address, status, and dates.

Can I delete or archive a project?

You can delete a project from the Projects list. Deleting a project is permanent and also removes its estimates and expenses. There is no separate archive feature, so download a report first if you want to keep a record.

How do I add an estimate?

Open a project, go to the Estimates tab, and select "Add Budget Item". Choose a category, enter a description and the estimated cost, and optionally add GST. For labour you can enter an hourly rate and number of hours instead of a single cost.

Can I organise estimates by trade or category?

Yes. Every estimate and expense is tagged with a category such as Materials, Labour, Electrical, Plumbing, Subcontractor and more, so you can see costs broken down by trade.

What does estimated versus actual mean?

"Estimated" is the original budgeted cost you planned for a project or category. "Actual" is the real amount you record as expenses during the build. Formal Tradie compares the two so you can see where you stand.

What is project variance?

Variance is the difference between your estimated costs and your actual costs. A positive variance means you are under budget; a negative variance means you have spent more than estimated.

What does Budget Health mean?

Budget Health gives you a quick at-a-glance view of whether a project is on track. It compares the total estimated budget against total spent so you can immediately see what is remaining or whether you are over budget.

How do I know if a project is going over budget?

The Budget Health indicator and variance figures on each project show when spending is approaching or has exceeded the estimate. Pro plans also include budget threshold alerts that email you when a project passes set spending thresholds.

How do I record a payment?

Open a project, go to the Paid tab, and select "Record Expense". Enter the amount, date and category, and an optional description, vendor and invoice number.

Can I record supplier and subcontractor costs?

Yes. Use the vendor field to record who you paid, and categorise the cost — for example as Subcontractor, Materials, or Equipment.

Can I add GST to project costs?

Yes. You can apply tax to each estimate and expense. Formal Tradie supports New Zealand GST (15%), Australian GST (10%) and UK VAT (20%), as well as no tax.

Can I change the tax setting for my account?

Tax is selected on each individual estimate or expense rather than set once for the whole account. This lets you choose the right rate (or no tax) for every line item.

What is a Formal Tradie client report?

A professional project budget report, generated as a PDF, built from the financial information you have already recorded against the project.

What information appears in a client report?

The report can include the estimated project budget, actual costs, remaining budget, estimated versus actual variance, a category or trade breakdown, and budget health. You choose which sections to include.

How do I generate a client report?

Open a project and select "Generate Report". Choose your date range, categories and report sections, then download a PDF, export a CSV, or email it.

Can I send a report directly to my client?

You can email a report straight from the report window, but the recipient needs to be a registered Formal Tradie user. If your client is not registered, download the PDF and send it yourself.

Can my client log into Formal Tradie?

No. Clients do not have their own Formal Tradie login. You generate the report and share it with them.

How much does Formal Tradie cost?

Formal Tradie Pro is $12.95 NZD per week. You can see the current pricing and what is included on the Pricing page.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Formal Tradie offers a 14-day free trial on the Pro plan. A card is required at sign-up, but you will not be charged for the first 14 days.

What is included in the Pro plan?

The Pro plan includes unlimited projects, full budget tracking, expense recording, progress tracking, PDF client reports, emailing reports to clients, the Virtual Apprentice AI assistant, and priority support. See the Pricing page for the full current list.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes. Open your Profile, go to Subscription, and use the billing portal to cancel. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period.

Are there lock-in contracts?

No. Formal Tradie is billed weekly with no lock-in contract. You can cancel at any time.

What happens when my free trial finishes?

If you have not cancelled, your card is charged weekly at the Pro rate from day 14. You can cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

Can I use Formal Tradie on my phone?

Yes. Formal Tradie is designed to work on mobile devices.

Can I use Formal Tradie on a tablet?

Yes. Formal Tradie works on tablets through your browser.

Can I use Formal Tradie on a computer?

Yes. Formal Tradie works on desktop computers and laptops through your browser.

Do I need to install anything?

No. Formal Tradie is a web app, so you use it through your browser. There is nothing to install and no app to download.

Use the "Log In" button on any page. You will be taken to the Formal Tradie login page, where you can sign in with your email or with Google.

Can I sign in with Google?

Yes. Google sign-in is available on the Formal Tradie login page.

What should I do if I cannot log in?

Double-check your email and password and try again. If you still cannot sign in, contact Formal Tradie support and we will help you get access.

Can I change my account details?

Yes. From your Profile you can update your company name, trade type, phone, address, GST/tax number and website. To change your name or email, please contact support.

How do I delete my account?

Go to your Profile, open the Account section, and follow the "Delete My Account" steps. This opens a pre-filled email request to our support team, who will permanently delete your account and associated data.

Who can see my project information?

Only you. Each Formal Tradie account is private — your projects, estimates, expenses and reports are visible only to you and are not shared with other users.

How does Formal Tradie use my information?

We use your information to provide and operate the platform, process payments, generate reports, and provide support. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Does Formal Tradie comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020?

Yes. Formal Tradie is operated by a New Zealand registered company and complies with the Privacy Act 2020. For Australian users we also align with the Australian Privacy Principles.

How do I contact Formal Tradie?

Visit the Customer Service page to email us, call, or start a live chat.

What should I do if something is not working?

Contact Formal Tradie support through the Customer Service page and we will help you sort it out.

Can I suggest a new feature?

Yes, we would love to hear your ideas. Contact support through the Customer Service page and let us know what you would like to see.

Help Centre | Formal Tradie

Name: Formal Tradie
Price: 12.95 NZD
Availability: InStock

Help Centre

Everything you need to know about Formal Tradie, project budgets, client reporting, pricing and your account.

Help Centre

Getting Started

Projects

Estimates and Budget Tracking

Recording Costs and Payments

Client Reports

Pricing and Billing

Devices and Access

Account and Login

Privacy and Security

Support

Still need help?

Help Centre

Getting Started

What is Formal Tradie?

Who is Formal Tradie designed for?

Is Formal Tradie accounting software?

How quickly can I get started?

Do I need accounting experience?

Projects

How do I create a project?

Can I manage multiple projects?

Can I edit project information after creating it?

Can I delete or archive a project?

Estimates and Budget Tracking

How do I add an estimate?

Can I organise estimates by trade or category?

What does estimated versus actual mean?

What is project variance?

What does Budget Health mean?

How do I know if a project is going over budget?

Recording Costs and Payments

How do I record a payment?

Can I record supplier and subcontractor costs?

Can I add GST to project costs?

Can I change the tax setting for my account?

Client Reports

What is a Formal Tradie client report?

What information appears in a client report?

How do I generate a client report?

Can I send a report directly to my client?

Can my client log into Formal Tradie?

Pricing and Billing

How much does Formal Tradie cost?

Is there a free trial?

What is included in the Pro plan?

Can I cancel my subscription?

Are there lock-in contracts?

What happens when my free trial finishes?

Devices and Access

Can I use Formal Tradie on my phone?

Can I use Formal Tradie on a tablet?

Can I use Formal Tradie on a computer?

Do I need to install anything?

Account and Login

How do I log in?

Can I sign in with Google?

What should I do if I cannot log in?

Can I change my account details?

How do I delete my account?

Privacy and Security

Who can see my project information?

How does Formal Tradie use my information?

Does Formal Tradie comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020?

Where can I read the Privacy Policy?

Where can I read the Terms of Service?

Support

How do I contact Formal Tradie?

What should I do if something is not working?

Can I suggest a new feature?

Still need help?