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Carpenter & Joiner Edition

Job & Materials Tracking Built for Carpenters

Stop losing track of timber runs, sheet materials, and ironmongery. Log materials, track jobs, scan merchant receipts with AI, and see your exact job profit instantly on site.

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Calculate Your Unclaimed Expenses

Carpenters often miss major deductions on offcuts, specialized bits, screws, and timber merchant trips. Check how much you can claim back.

Calculate Your Mileage Claims

Log mileage automatically in VanLog and claim write-offs at approved local tax rates.

Region:
Weekly Drive Distance150 miles
10 miles1000 miles
Estimated Tax Bracket20%
10% (Basic)50% (Higher)
Annual Claimable Expense Value£3,510
Real Estimated Tax Savings£702

Estimated cash saved based on writing off £0.45 per mile against your income.

Why Carpentry Contractors Lose Margin on Site

Timber price changes and small consumable accessories make carpentry costing complex. If you don't log your actual material usage on site, your margin slips away:

  • 1.
    Unbilled Timber & Sheet Material WasteBuying oak boards or MDF sheets in bulk often results in waste offcuts. If you don't allocate the correct materials portion to the job, or fail to charge the client for the full materials ordered, you are absorbing the wood costs into your labor rate.
  • 2.
    Ironmongery & Hardware ExpensesCabinet hinges, drawer slides, handles, magnetic catches, and wood screws add up to significant figures. Many carpenters ignore these small purchases, letting hundreds of pounds in claimable expenses slip through the cracks.
  • 3.
    Lost Merchant and Wholesaler ReceiptsPaper invoices from timber yards, Howdens, or Screwfix get lost in the van or damaged. At tax time, your accountant can only write off what you have clear proof of. Lost receipts equal higher tax bills.

Features Purpose-Built for Carpenters

AI Invoice Scanning

Take a quick photo of your timber yard, Howdens, or Screwfix invoice. Our AI scans the invoice, extracts every item (sheet materials, hardware, fixings), and links them directly to your job budget.

Smart Materials & Hardware Library

Log timber lengths, plywood, door handles, and screws easily. VanLog autocompletes past items and remembers pricing, making on-site tracking take less than 15 seconds.

Mileage Logging for Timber Runs

Record your runs to local timber merchants or site surveys. VanLog automatically calculates your tax-deductible mileage value based on HMRC (45p/mile) or ATO (88c/km) approved rates.

Offline-Capable Interface

Works on remote sites, garden builds, and new builds with zero cell reception. The app caches all materials and mileage inputs locally and syncs automatically when you're back in range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the AI scanner support Howdens and timber yard invoices?

Yes. Our AI receipt scanner recognizes layouts and invoice terminology from major national timber merchants and independent timber yards like Howdens, Travis Perkins, Jewson, Selco, and local builders merchants.

Can I track my workshop preparation time?

Yes. You can record workshop preparation hours and allocate them under your labor or overhead logs to keep your job costing highly accurate.

How does VanLog handle sheet material offcuts?

You can add sheet materials to your job log and choose to allocate a percentage of the total cost to a specific job (e.g. 70% of an MDF board to alcove shelving), or log it fully to a job and let VanLog track the rest as van stock.

Ready to stop losing profit on your carpentry jobs?

Join self-employed carpenters who use VanLog to track material costs, capture tax-deductible mileage, and manage their business efficiently.

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⚠️ Important: VanLog is a record-keeping tool. Verify all calculations with your local tax authority and consult an accountant before submitting tax returns. You are solely responsible for your tax compliance.