The founder
I'm Jason — a licensed electrician based out of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. I run a working electrical contracting business (J2 Services) serving Bucks and Montgomery County. Tradesman Office is the side of the business where I build and share the digital tools I actually use to run the electrical company.
Everything in this shop started as something I built for myself because I couldn't find it, couldn't afford the subscription software that offered it, or didn't trust the template-factory versions that came from people who clearly hadn't ever worked a service call.
Why Excel, why not SaaS?
The contractor software industry runs on $150–$300 per month subscriptions. For a one-truck operation, that's $1,800–$3,600 a year — forever — for features most small contractors use 10% of.
Excel does 90% of what that software does. It runs on any device, doesn't require an internet connection, doesn't lock your data behind a login, and when you buy a workbook from me, you own it. No renewal fees. No price hikes. No account suspensions.
For a small contractor, that's the right tool. So that's what I build in.
It bothers me to see a great business slowed down by paperwork and overpriced software. My goal is to help a fellow tradesperson reclaim their evenings, look professional to their customers, and get paid what they're worth.
What you'll find in the shop
Everything in the shop falls into one of four categories, and they're designed to work together:
- Flat Rate Price Books — Pre-calibrated pricing catalogs for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and carpenters. Plug in your hourly rate, the whole book recalculates.
- Code Reference Guides — NEC, IPC, IRC, and IMC quick references organized for fast field lookup.
- Business Templates — Professional forms, contracts, and presentation templates. The paperwork side of a professional operation.
- Contractor Tools — Strategic tools that solve specific business problems: the Break-Even Calculator, Google Business Profile setup guide, and done-for-you website design. These are the tools that separate a business from a job.
The Break-Even Labor Rate Calculator is the foundation everything else depends on. If you're guessing your hourly rate, every downstream tool in your business is built on a bad number — which is why it's the first thing I recommend to anyone getting their pricing right.
Who I'm trying to help
This shop is for the solo operator running one truck. The two-person team trying to look as professional as the bigger guys. The tradesperson who's great at the craft but hates the office side of running the business.
If that's you, I'm trying to give you the tools I wish I'd had when I was in your spot.
Where to start
If you're new to the shop and not sure where to dive in, the honest recommendation is:
- Download the Break-Even Labor Rate Calculator and find your true hourly rate
- Pick the flat rate price book for your primary trade
- Add the Forms Bundle so you have professional paperwork to back up the pricing
That's the minimum setup to run a professional trade business on the office side. The rest of the shop expands from there.