The bookkeeping app for carpenters and joiners
Do your books from the van, out loud. Say what you did and VanBooks writes the invoice, logs the costs and miles, and keeps your tax figure up to date.
“Fitted four internal doors for the Browns, £320. Hinges and handles from Toolstation, £48. Twelve miles.”
Made for the way carpenters and joiners work
Quotes with deposits
Quote the job, take a deposit when they accept, and invoice the rest when it's done.
Timber and fixings tracked
Snap receipts or upload a bank statement, and costs are added with the right category.
CIS when you need it
Working on site for a contractor? CIS is worked out on your labour only.
Paid on time
Seen ticks show when they've opened it, and reminders go out if it's late.
Also in VanBooks
- Making Tax Digital quarterly updates and VAT returns
- How much to put aside after every payment, and when to pay HMRC
- Mileage worked out from postcodes, 45p and 25p a mile
- A private link for your accountant, or their own sign-in
Questions carpenters and joiners ask
What can a carpenter claim?
Timber, fixings and materials used on jobs, tools and machinery, van costs or mileage, workwear and PPE, trade insurance, phone and software.
Does Making Tax Digital apply to me as a carpenter?
It depends on your turnover (money in before costs), not profit. It starts in April 2026 if you took over £50,000, April 2027 over £30,000 and April 2028 over £20,000. VanBooks keeps the digital records and sends the quarterly updates.
Can I claim for my van?
Yes. Either claim 45p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles and 25p after, or the actual costs (fuel, insurance, repairs and the van itself), but not both for the same van. VanBooks works out either and warns you if you mix them.
First month free, then £9 a month
No card needed to start. Cancel any time.
Free tools: tax calculator · mileage calculator · Does MTD apply to me?