Jobber is one of the most popular field-service tools for Canadian trades, and it's built by a company headquartered in Edmonton. It's quick to start using, which is also why many businesses end up with a half-finished setup: clients missing, prices out of date, and invoices still done by hand. Here's a setup order that avoids rework.
Before you start: Jobber's features depend on your plan, and its screens change over time. Jobber's help centre has current click-by-click steps. This guide covers what to set up and in what order.
Gather this first
- Your client list in a spreadsheet: name, service address, billing address, phone, email. Remove duplicates now; it's much harder later.
- Your price list: every service and product you sell, with a description, price, and (if you track job costs) your cost.
- Your tax details: GST/HST registration number and the rate for each province you work in. In Alberta that's 5% GST.
- Your paperwork wording: quote terms, deposit rules, payment terms, warranty language.
- Your logo and the team members who will use it.
The setup order
1. Company settings and branding
Business name, contact details, logo, and your GST/HST number so it appears on quotes and invoices. Set your tax rate before creating anything else, so every quote and invoice starts out correct.
2. Import your clients
Import the cleaned spreadsheet instead of typing clients in one at a time. Spot-check a few records afterwards, especially addresses, since scheduling and routing depend on them.
3. Build your products and services list
This is the step most businesses skip, and it's the one that makes quoting fast. Add each service with a clear description your customer will understand, the price, whether it's taxable, and your cost if you want job profitability.
4. Quote and invoice templates
Set default messages, terms, and deposit requirements. Write them once properly and every quote looks professional without retyping.
5. Payments and reminders
Turn on online payments if they're available for your account, and set up automatic follow-ups for unpaid invoices where your plan includes them. Getting paid faster is usually where the setup pays for itself first.
6. Team, scheduling, and job forms
Add team members with the right permissions, install the mobile app on their phones, and set up any job checklists or forms your crews fill in on site.
7. Connect your accounting software
Connect your accounting software, such as QuickBooks Online, and decide what syncs where. Agree on one rule with your bookkeeper: invoices and payments are created in Jobber, never re-entered in the accounting software. That prevents duplicates.
Going live without losing a week
- Pick a start date. All new quotes and jobs go into Jobber from that day.
- Move only what's open: open quotes, scheduled jobs, and unpaid invoices. Leave closed history in your old system.
- Train the crew for 30 minutes on just what they need: viewing jobs, completing checklists, adding photos and notes.
- Review after two weeks. What's still happening on paper? Fix those gaps first.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens |
|---|---|
| Skipping the products and services list | Every quote is typed from scratch, so nobody saves time |
| Tax rate set after quotes are created | Old quotes and invoices carry the wrong tax |
| Invoices created in both Jobber and accounting | Duplicate income and messy reconciliation |
| Crew never trained | Paper tickets keep coming back to the office |
When Jobber isn't the right fit
Jobber is built mainly around residential and light commercial service work. Larger contractors with dispatch teams may outgrow it (see Jobber vs Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan), and oilfield or industrial companies with custom tickets and operator invoicing requirements often need something custom (see invoicing field tickets faster).
Rather have it done for you? We set up Jobber remotely for trades businesses anywhere in Canada: client import, price list, templates, payments, accounting sync, and crew training. Setup is from $999, or $750 after your $249 prescription credit. Start with the free Admin Score.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jobber a Canadian company?
Yes. Jobber is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta.
Can I import my existing clients into Jobber?
Yes. Clean up your client spreadsheet first, then import it rather than typing clients in one at a time.
How do I set up GST in Jobber?
Add your tax rate (5% GST in Alberta, or the HST rate in HST provinces) and your registration number in your settings before creating quotes or invoices.
How long does Jobber setup take?
For a small business with a clean client list and price list, a solid setup takes days, not weeks. Most of the time goes into the price list and templates.