The bookkeeping app for decorators
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.
“Painted the hall, stairs and landing for the Morgans, £480. Paint and sundries from Brewers, £96. Six miles.”
Made for the way decorators work
Quotes in minutes
Add your day rate and favourite paints from your price book. The customer accepts online.
Receipts snapped or forwarded
Snap the receipt and VanBooks reads it, or forward the email receipt to your own VanBooks address.
Before and after photos
Show the work on the invoice, and get it signed off on your phone.
Ask for a Google review
Once they've paid, send your review link in a tap.
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 decorators ask
What can a painter and decorator claim?
Paint, sundries and materials used on jobs, brushes, rollers, ladders and dust sheets, van costs or mileage, workwear, trade insurance, phone and advertising.
Does Making Tax Digital apply to me as a decorator?
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?