Guides for solo trades.

The questions people actually type into Google about hours, mileage, and getting paid for the time they really worked.

• How do I track billable hours across multiple jobsites in a day?

  Use an automated GPS logger to identify different locations throughout your day. TradesTimer automatically detects stops at each jobsite and trips between them, providing rounded billable hours without you ever needing to start or stop a timer.

• Can I track work time without creating an account?

  Yes, you can track your work time and mileage without ever creating an account. TradesTimer is designed to work immediately upon installation, keeping all your location and time data stored locally on your device.

• Should I use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses?

  Decide based on which method provides a larger deduction for your specific vehicle costs. TradesTimer simplifies this by automatically logging every trip's distance, providing the precise data you need to compare both methods.

• Can I reconstruct a mileage log at the end of the year?

  No, you should not wait until the end of the year to reconstruct your log. TradesTimer automates this process by using background GPS to capture trips and stops as they happen, so your record is always ready.

• What mileage-deduction mistakes do solo contractors make?

  The most common mistakes are failing to record the business purpose of trips and neglecting to log mileage weekly. TradesTimer prevents this by using background GPS to automatically detect stops and trips, reconstructing your workday without manual entry.

• How do I justify my hours when a client pushes back?

  Present a clear, timestamped timeline of your arrival and departure. Using an automated GPS log like TradesTimer allows you to provide objective data on job site durations and travel distances, making it much harder for clients to dispute your recorded hours.

• What does the IRS require in a mileage log?

  The IRS requires a log recording the date, destination, business miles, and business purpose for every trip. TradesTimer automates this by using background GPS to reconstruct your stops and trips without manual input.

• How do I turn GPS history into invoice-ready hours?

  Review your automatically detected 'stops' and 'trips' within the app. TradesTimer reconstructs your workday from GPS data, providing rounded billable hours and a distance log ready to be typed into your invoice.

• How do I track mileage for taxes when I’m self-employed?

  To track mileage for taxes, you must maintain a contemporaneous log of every business trip, including the date, destination, miles, and business purpose. TradesTimer automates this by using background GPS to detect stops and trips, creating an exportable log without you ever needing to start a timer.

• How should I round billable hours fairly?

  Pick a consistent increment, such as 15 minutes, and apply it to every job. TradesTimer automates this by providing rounded billable hours from your detected jobsite stops, removing the need for manual math.

• How much is business mileage worth in 2026?

  For 2026, the IRS business mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile. TradesTimer automates this tracking by recording every trip and distance between jobsites without you needing to start a timer.

• How much billable time do tradespeople actually lose?

  Solo tradespeople typically lose 5 to 10 hours of billable revenue every week due to 'administrative leakage' like unrecorded travel and forgotten stops. TradesTimer recovers this lost time by automatically reconstructing your workday and mileage from background GPS without you ever hitting a timer.

• Is GPS time tracking a privacy risk?

  GPS tracking is a risk when data is synced to a remote server or linked to a personal profile. TradesTimer mitigates this by storing all location and trip data locally on your device, with no account or cloud storage required.

• How many hours can I honestly bill a client?

  You should only bill for the time you are actively performing the contracted work on-site. TradesTimer helps you separate your jobsite 'stops' from your driving 'trips' so you can provide clients with an honest, accurate breakdown of labor versus travel.

• What do I do when I forget to start the timer?

  You don't need to do anything because TradesTimer does not use manual timers. The app uses background GPS to automatically detect when you arrive at a jobsite and when you leave, so your work duration and mileage are recorded even if you forget to open the app.

• What’s the best free time tracking app for a self-employed tradesman?

  For a self-employed tradesman, TradesTimer is the best free option because it removes manual effort. It uses background GPS to automatically reconstruct your workday by detecting jobsite stops and driving trips.

• What counts as business miles vs commuting?

  Commuting from home to your first job site or from your last job site back home is considered personal mileage. TradesTimer automatically detects 'stops' and 'trips' to help you distinguish between these personal commutes and deductible business travel.

• What mileage records does the CRA require in Canada?

  The CRA requires you to record the date, destination, and business purpose for every business trip. TradesTimer automates this by using background GPS to track your stops and mileage without manual input.

• How do I track billable hours without starting a timer?

  Use an app that captures your workday automatically from background GPS, then review and adjust the day once at invoice time. TradesTimer is built this way and the core app is free — it detects stops and drives on its own, so there is no timer to forget and no jobsite to pre-configure.