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Screenshot of Joist website
Managing paperwork can be the most frustrating part of running a contracting business. Between creating estimates, sending invoices, and tracking payments, administrative tasks eat up valuable time that could be spent on job sites. Joist aims to address this challenge with a mobile-focused app specifically built for contractors.
This review of Joist examines how the platform helps contractors handle estimates, invoices, client management, and payments. We’ll walk through its main features, pricing structure, advantages, limitations, and user experiences to help determine if it’s the right solution for your contracting business in 2025.
Whether you run a small painting company, manage a roofing crew, or work as a solo carpenter, this guide will help you understand how to use Joist in your workflow and business operations. Based on independent research and a mix of verified user reviews, we’ve gathered authentic software experiences from real users to provide an objective assessment of this billing and invoicing tool.
Joist provides contractors with several key tools designed to simplify administrative tasks. Let’s examine each major feature to understand how they work together.
First impressions matter when bidding on jobs. Joist’s estimation tools help contractors appear more professional and responsive:
The app makes it particularly easy to generate quotes quickly while maintaining a professional appearance. Being able to send an estimate before leaving a client’s property can significantly improve your chances of winning jobs.
Creating an invoice in Joist
Getting paid starts with clear, professional invoices. Joist’s invoicing features include:
The seamless connection between estimates and invoices creates a streamlined workflow that reduces administrative time. Many users mention how this simplifies their billing process compared to using separate tools or paper invoices.
Cash flow is critical for contracting businesses, and Joist offers several payment solutions:
While the convenience of electronic payments is valuable, it’s worth noting that some users report delays in receiving payments from clients after processing.
Joist web and mobile apps
Keeping track of customer information helps build stronger client relationships:
Having complete client information at your fingertips helps maintain professional relationships and makes follow-up more effective. Joist allows contractors to manage all their client interactions efficiently.
For contractors who use QuickBooks for accounting, Joist offers valuable integration:
This integration helps contractors maintain accurate books without duplicating effort, making tax time and financial management much simpler.
Creating a client in Joist
A standout feature that separates Joist from many competitors is its homeowner financing option:
This feature can help contractors win jobs that might otherwise be lost due to budget constraints, particularly for larger renovation projects.
Joist offers three pricing options to accommodate different business needs and budgets.
| Feature | Basics | Pro | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $8 | $14 | $32 |
| Annual Price (save ~16%) | $80 | $140 | $320 |
| Documents per month | Up to 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Number of clients | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Display your logo | No | Yes | Yes |
| Add line items & document photos | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online payments | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Homeowner financing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Project Templates | No | Yes | Yes |
| Generate work orders | No | Yes | Yes |
| QuickBooks sync | No | Yes | Yes |
| Deposit & payment schedules | No | Yes | Yes |
| Custom contracts | No | No | Yes |
| Track client activity | No | No | Yes |
| Change orders | No | No | Yes |
| Business reports | No | No | Yes |
| Priority email response | No | No | Yes |
| Book a call with Joist expert | No | No | Yes |
| Email & live chat support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app & desktop access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The entry-level option is ideal for contractors who are just starting out or have a limited number of monthly projects. With just 5 documents per month, it’s best suited for those with occasional jobs or who are testing the platform before committing to a higher tier. You’ll need to pay for a subscription plan to access more features.
The mid-tier option removes document limitations and adds several valuable features, making it suitable for established contractors with a steady workflow. At just $6 more per month than Basics, the Pro plan offers significantly more value for growing contracting businesses.
The premium option is designed for established contracting businesses looking for comprehensive project and client management capabilities. This package delivers the complete feature set for contractors who want to maximize efficiency and professionalism. When you log in to Joist, these 3 plans pop up as options for your account.
All plans include a 7-day trial of Pro or Elite features, allowing you to test the full capabilities before committing to a specific tier.
Adding an item in Joist
After analyzing Joist’s features and user feedback through independent research, here are the main advantages and limitations to consider.
Designed Specifically for Contractors Unlike general invoicing software, Joist addresses the unique needs of construction professionals with contractor-specific workflows. Joist provides tools for specialized trades including drywall, carpentry, and other contracting work.
Mobile-First Approach The app allows contractors to handle paperwork from job sites, reducing office time and improving responsiveness. Joist offers mobile applications for Android and iOS devices.
Professional-Looking Documents Users consistently praise how Joist helps them create polished, professional estimates and invoices that impress clients. One user noted, “It is one of the best programs I have used for agreements.”
Client View Tracking The ability to see when clients have viewed estimates and invoices helps with timely follow-ups.
Quick Setup and Simple Onboarding Many users highlight the minimal learning curve, allowing contractors to start using the system immediately. The Joist team has focused on making onboarding straightforward.
Integrated Payment Processing Built-in payment options reduce collection time and trips to the bank. Joist enables contractors to receive payments from clients directly through the platform.
QuickBooks Integration For QuickBooks users, the synchronization significantly reduces double data entry.
Financing Options The ability to offer financing directly through estimates gives contractors an edge when bidding on larger projects.
Regular Updates Users note that Joist frequently improves its platform based on user feedback.
Works Across Devices The app functions on smartphones, tablets, and computers, offering flexibility for different work environments. It can be used by everyone regardless of device type.
Payment Processing Delays Multiple users report waiting days or even weeks to receive funds after client payments, particularly for larger amounts.
Limited Search Functionality Users mention difficulty finding older documents, especially when searching by line items rather than client names.
Feature Gaps Compared to Full CRMs Some users note that Joist lacks certain capabilities found in more comprehensive systems, particularly scheduling.
Occasional App Reliability Issues Some reviews mention instances of the app being unavailable during critical times.
Payment Processing Fees While convenient, the payment feature adds processing costs that can add up over time.
Features Moving to Higher Tiers Long-term users express frustration about features once included in basic plans being moved to higher-tier options. Some users note that they used Joist for 8 yrs without issues until certain features required upgrades.
Basic Reporting in Lower Tiers Users of less expensive plans mention limited options for business analysis.
No Client Account Credit System The inability to maintain running client credits for prepayments has been noted as a limitation.
Change Order Limitations Some users report that the change order feature doesn’t properly handle scope reductions, only increases.
Support Options The reliance on chat and email without direct phone number access frustrates some users, especially for urgent payment issues.
Joist mobile app
We’ve carefully verified over 2 million reviews to bring you authentic software experiences from real users of Joist. These testimonials offer insight into how the app performs in real-world contracting scenarios.
“The tools Joist provides has increased our efficiency at a very notable rate! Love love love and can’t wait to see what the future holds with this platform.”
“Joist is a very helpful tool when doing invoices it was easy to navigate and the interface is very user-friendly.”
“It’s way faster, efficient and accurate when making an invoice. I haven’t had any errors as well when using this tool.”
“Very easy to navigate and create custom invoices and estimates; easy to keep a database of clients & customers; easy to keep a rolling list of items and set pricing on each line item.”
“That you can access your company information from anywhere. The ability to invoice out in the field.”
“I’ve been with joist since day 1. In July 2014, I gave them a shot upon receiving my California Roofing Contractor’s License. In almost 7 years, I’ve never had a single issue.”
“My favorite feature is being able to see when a customer has looked at an estimate or invoice you sent them.”
“I had a client make a payment over 10 days ago over $10000. AND i HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED IT! There is no phone number on app so you have to go through a ‘chat’ system and basically no excuse just a sorry and it will be deposited on the 3rd which will make it 13 days total.”
“My overall experience with this software is that if you are a growing company, it can be outgrown making it necessary to seek software with more functions to replace this software.”
“I don’t like that I can’t search for estimates or invoices via line items or words in them. It makes it more time consuming to find an older estimate that I may need to pull up.”
“They started making major platform changes WITHOUT first polling or notifying users BEFOREHAND. I wake up two days ago and discover they have changed payment processors from the flawless WePay to the utterly incompetent and useless PayPal. No notice. No warning.”
“After using the app for years and generate a lot of money in processing fees for them on a monthly basis one day out of the blue they removed my logo and other basic features requiring me to upgrade to be able to have them again. What’s even sadder is if you want those services your account is something like $96.00 a month.”
“Not being able to write change orders with decreases in scope and costs. Must use other software to do this causes additional expense.”
Several patterns emerge from user feedback:
Account settings in Joist
What is Joist? Joist is a billing and invoicing app built specifically for contractors across various trades including fencing, flooring, drywall, carpentry, electrical, masonry, and other construction sectors. It provides tools for creating estimates and invoices, accepting payments, managing clients, and syncing with QuickBooks.
Is there a free trial? Joist offers a 7-day trial period where you can try Pro or Elite features. After the trial, you select which plan works best for your needs.
What types of contractors use Joist? Joist works for many specialties, including:
It’s particularly helpful for small to medium-sized contracting businesses needing professional documentation.
What payment methods can clients use? Clients can pay invoices using credit cards, debit cards, and online payments directly through Joist’s payment processing system. The current payment processor is PayPal, though this has changed from previous processors according to some reviews.
Does Joist integrate with other software? QuickBooks Online appears to be the primary integration. There’s no specific mention of other integrations in user reviews, though Joist team may be working on additional options.
How does homeowner financing work? Joist allows contractors to offer financing options to clients through the app. This helps clients apply for financing to cover larger projects, potentially increasing job wins and speeding up payment for contractors.
Can multiple team members use one account? Based on user feedback, there appear to be limitations with multiple users on a single account. One review specifically mentioned “Can’t assign more than one user” as a limitation.
How quickly do payments process? Processing time varies and seems to be a concern for some users. Multiple reviews mention delays in receiving funds, with some reporting waits of 10-14 days for larger payments.
What happens if I cancel my subscription? According to Joist, “Your data is backed up and secure, so you’re able to switch or cancel your plan at any time.” This suggests straightforward cancellation, though specific details aren’t provided in user reviews.
Can I customize my estimates and invoices? Yes, Joist allows customization including adding your logo (in Pro and Elite plans), customizing line items, including project photos, and adding any information you need in notes or terms and conditions.
After examining Joist’s features, pricing, user feedback, and performance, here’s who would benefit most from this contractor-focused invoicing solution.
Individual Contractors and Small Teams Joist works best for solo contractors or small crews needing a streamlined way to create professional estimates and invoices without complex enterprise software. The mobile approach particularly helps those spending most of their time on job sites rather than at a desk.
Trades Requiring On-Site Estimates Contractors who provide quotes to clients on location will appreciate creating and sending a estimate before leaving, potentially increasing close rates and shortening the sales cycle.
Businesses Wanting a Professional Image For contractors looking to improve their professional appearance, Joist’s polished estimates and invoices with logo branding (in higher plans) help create a more established impression with clients. Joist some of its advantages like providing strong structural support for your company’s image.
QuickBooks Users Contractors already using QuickBooks will benefit from the data synchronization, which eliminates double entry and keeps records consistent across platforms.
Contractors Offering Financing The homeowner financing feature gives an advantage for contractors handling larger projects where client budget constraints might otherwise prevent sales.
Larger Contracting Companies Growing companies may eventually outgrow Joist’s capabilities, particularly regarding team collaboration, workflow management, and advanced reporting.
Businesses Needing Comprehensive CRM Contractors requiring extensive customer relationship management with scheduling, marketing, and advanced client tools might find Joist’s features somewhat limited.
Companies Needing Immediate Payment Processing Given concerns about payment delays, businesses processing large payment volumes or needing immediate fund availability might face cash flow challenges.
Enterprises Requiring Detailed Reporting While the Elite plan offers business reports, companies needing sophisticated financial analysis and performance metrics might need more robust reporting than Joist currently provides.
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
Joist stands out with its mobile usability, professional document creation, and contractor-specific features that streamline administrative tasks and improve client interactions. The QuickBooks sync and financing options add significant value for eligible contractors.
However, potential users should consider the reported payment processing delays, limited multi-user capabilities, and eventual scaling constraints. We recommend using the 7-day trial to test the features most important to your specific business before subscribing.
For solo contractors and small teams looking to create more professional estimates and invoices while working primarily from the field, Joist offers a focused, cost-effective solution worth considering. If you want to use Joist, take advantage of the free trial period to see if it meets your business needs. As with any business tool, success depends on how well its specific capabilities match your unique operational needs and growth plans.
