Why Contractors Need Smart Payroll Now Insights from Natalie Kolasa at Hourly
- Construction Champions Podcast
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
Manual timecards, late paychecks, frustrated employees, it’s a formula for disaster. But too many construction companies still treat payroll like it’s 1999.
In this episode of the Construction Champions Podcast, Natalie from Hourly breaks down what modern payroll should look like for contractors and why getting it right is crucial for growing your business.
1. The Hidden Costs of Manual Payroll
The Problem:
Paper timecards, handwritten job codes, and spreadsheet-based tracking lead to errors, overpayments, and compliance headaches.
The Fix:
Use digital time-tracking tools to log hours accurately
Automate wage calculations, tax withholdings, and benefits
Eliminate time theft and manual entry mistakes
Pro Tip: Every hour you save on payroll is an hour you can spend growing your business.
2. Improve Job Costing with Real-Time Labor Data
The Problem:
If you don’t know how much labor is costing per job in real time, you can’t price or manage profitably.
The Fix:
Sync payroll data with job costing software
Track labor by job, crew, or task
Use dashboards to monitor real-time job performance
Pro Tip: Smart payroll gives you labor insights that boost your bottom line.
3. Make Payroll Compliance Easy
The Problem:
Construction payroll involves complex compliance rules overtime, workers’ comp, state regulations and mistakes are costly.
The Fix:
Use payroll software that updates with changing laws
Automate workers’ comp calculations and audits
Store digital records for easy access during audits or disputes
Pro Tip: The right system keeps you compliant and audit-ready without stress.
4. Use Mobile Tools Your Crew Will Actually Use
The Problem:
If your team doesn’t log hours correctly, none of the automation matters.
The Fix:
Use mobile time clocks with GPS and geofencing
Let workers clock in/out from the jobsite or their phone
Automate reminders and breaks to keep records accurate
Pro Tip: Tools like Hourly make it easy for crews to use—and easy for you to manage.
5. Support and Onboarding Matter
The Problem:
Most payroll systems are confusing to set up and offer little real help.
The Fix:
Choose platforms that offer white-glove onboarding
Work with companies that understand construction-specific needs
Get ongoing support that doesn’t disappear after sign-up
Pro Tip: Hourly is built for contractors—and it shows in their service.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Payroll Hold You Back
You can’t grow your business with outdated systems. Smart payroll isn’t just about paying your team, it’s about saving time, staying compliant, and unlocking better financial visibility across every project.
Watch the full episode here
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Why Contractors Need Smart Payroll Now Insights from Natalie at Hourly
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