Frequently Asked Questions
The short answers. For the long story, the homepage covers what COS is.
ABOUT THE PRODUCT
Do I have to switch from QuickBooks?
No. QuickBooks stays exactly where it is. COS connects to your existing QBO subscription. We don’t replace your accounting system; we connect it to the rest of your operation.
Which QuickBooks plan do I need?
QuickBooks Online Plus or Advanced. The Projects feature is required for COS’s job tracking, and that feature isn’t available in Simple Start or Essentials. If you’re on a lower tier, you’d need to upgrade. That’s about $20-50/month extra to Intuit.
Can I use QuickBooks Desktop?
No. COS connects to QuickBooks Online only, not Desktop. If you’re on Desktop, you’d need to migrate to Online first. We can talk through whether that migration makes sense for you.
Do I need new hardware for my crew?
No. The mobile field view runs in your crew’s existing browser. Android, iPhone, doesn’t matter. No app to install, no login to remember. Bookmark a link, tap it, done.
ABOUT SETUP
How long does setup take?
About 2 hours of guided setup, then a 2-week supervised launch where we watch your live data from our side. No standing meetings. By month 2, you’re operating it independently, with a direct support channel whenever something comes up.
Will COS work with my specific trade?
COS is built for skilled trades that run on QuickBooks and have crew-based field operations. It was proven on a working concrete company, and nothing in it is concrete-specific: if your business runs crews in the field, tracks jobs through phases, and bills through QuickBooks, COS fits. HVAC, electrical, roofing, masonry, excavation, plumbing, flatwork, finish work. If you do mostly office or design work without field crews, it’s not built for you.
Can I migrate from another contractor management system?
We don’t currently migrate data out of other contractor management platforms. We connect to your QuickBooks and pick up from there. If your data is already in QuickBooks, COS sees it. If it’s trapped in another system, you’d need to export to QuickBooks first (most systems have export tools).
ABOUT PRICING AND COMMITMENT
What does it cost?
COS is launching with a small group of founding partners, and the founding rate is quoted in conversation, on the fit call. It’s a flat monthly fee, held for two years for founding partners, with no per-user charges and no revenue share.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Month-to-month. No annual commitment. If COS isn’t a fit, you walk. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing month.
Do you take a percentage of my revenue?
No. Flat monthly fee. We don’t see your invoice amounts and we don’t want a cut.
Are there per-user charges?
No. The monthly fee covers the whole deployment, unlimited users from your business. If your office staff, crew, and you all use COS, you pay the same flat fee.
Is there a setup fee?
No. Setup and the 2-week supervised launch are included.
ABOUT YOUR DATA
What happens to my data?
You own it. We don’t host your data. Your Google Workspace owns your spreadsheets, calendars, and chat. Your QuickBooks owns your customer and financial data. COS just connects them. If you ever stop using us, your data stays with you.
Where is my data stored?
On your own infrastructure. Operational data lives in your Google Workspace (Sheets, Calendar, Chat, Tasks). Customer and financial data stays in your QuickBooks Online subscription. LBSVCS does not host or copy your business data to our own servers.
Can I export my data if I leave?
Yes, easily. All operational data is already in your Google Sheets, exportable to CSV/Excel any time. QBO data is exportable directly from QuickBooks. There’s no data trapped in a ‘LBSVCS database’ because there isn’t one.
ABOUT AI
Does COS use AI?
Yes, narrowly. COS uses Anthropic’s Claude API for specific tasks: classifying inbound lead messages (deciding ‘is this a real lead?’), cleaning up the free-text scope on QuickBooks estimates, and drafting customer follow-up emails for your review. We do NOT send customer names, addresses, contact info, or financial figures to Claude. Only the minimum text needed for each task. AI features can be turned off entirely if you don’t want them in the loop; just ask.
Still have questions?
Email us at info@lbsvcs.io. We answer within one business day. No sales pressure. We’d rather say ‘not the right fit’ than push.