Migrating from Jobber to Housecall Pro

Why you might make this switch

Want QuickBooks Desktop sync or recurring service plans (on Housecall Pro's MAX plan). What our data says about the two tools:

• Housecall Pro is listed as best for: Home service businesses that want payments, consumer financing, online booking and review requests built into one platform.
• Jobber's listed weaknesses: The pricing page lists no inventory feature on any plan; QuickBooks Online and Xero sync start on the Connect plan, and Core lists neither; built for small and mid-size crews rather than large multi-location operations.

Features listed for Housecall Pro but not for Jobber

Our feature lists are not exhaustive and name features differently between tools, so check each one on the vendor's site.

• dispatching
• estimates
• credit card processing
• consumer financing
• marketing automation
• instapay

Features listed for Jobber but not for Housecall Pro

• client portal
• quotes
• team management
• online booking
• automated followup
• two way texting

Cost-of-switch analysis

Three cost components when migrating from Jobber to Housecall Pro:

• Software-cost change: about $30/month more on Housecall Pro at the starting price ($59/mo against $29/mo), or about $360 a year.
• Implementation fees: Check Housecall Pro's pricing note and confirm its setup fee in writing: some vendors include onboarding in the subscription and others charge for it.
• Staff time: setup, data checks and training take time from office staff and techs. We have no measured figure for it; the cost-of-switch calculator adds it from stated assumptions that you can scale to your own hours and wages.

Migration steps, in order

We have no measured durations for these steps; ask Housecall Pro for a written onboarding plan with dates.

1. Set up Housecall Pro

Configure company settings, users and permissions, and your price book if you use one. Get this right before you import anything.

2. Import your data

Export your customer list and active jobs from Jobber and import them into Housecall Pro. Check a sample of customers and jobs against Jobber. Check recurring service agreements one by one, and ask Housecall Pro whether its import carries them over.

3. Train the team and run both systems

Train dispatchers and office staff first, then field techs. While both systems run, enter new jobs in Housecall Pro and complete jobs already booked in Jobber.

4. Cut over

Stop entering new data in Jobber. Export all historical data before you cancel, then cancel the Jobber subscription.

5. After the switch

Set up the automations and reports you planned to use in Housecall Pro, and check them against the reasons you switched.

Data export checklist (before cancelling Jobber)

Export everything from Jobber before you cancel, and ask Jobber how long you keep access afterwards. Your checklist:

• Customer records: full export with names, addresses, contact info, custom fields, service notes
• Active job data: open work orders, scheduled appointments, recurring service agreements
• Historical invoices: as many years as your accountant needs for tax and audit records
• Payment records: past payments and outstanding balances
• Photo and document attachments: job site photos, signed agreements, equipment photos
• Price book / service catalog: your service offerings with their prices
• Membership/maintenance plan data: recurring billing setups, plan tiers, member status
• Integration configurations: screenshot or write down your QuickBooks sync, payment setup and Zapier workflows so you can re-create them
• User accounts and permissions: list of staff with their role assignments
• Reports and saved views: note custom dashboards or reports you'll need to rebuild

Integration checklist

From the integrations our data lists for each tool. The lists are not exhaustive, so confirm each one with the vendor.

Listed for both tools (you will still need to connect each one to Housecall Pro and check how it syncs):

• quickbooks online
• zapier
• mailchimp
• google local services

Listed for Jobber but not for Housecall Pro:

• xero: ask Housecall Pro whether it connects, directly or through Zapier, or plan the workflow without it.
• stripe: ask Housecall Pro whether it connects, directly or through Zapier, or plan the workflow without it.
• google calendar: ask Housecall Pro whether it connects, directly or through Zapier, or plan the workflow without it.
• gusto: ask Housecall Pro whether it connects, directly or through Zapier, or plan the workflow without it.

Listed for Housecall Pro but not for Jobber (worth evaluating during migration):

• quickbooks desktop
• callrail
• companycam
• thumbtack

Migration pitfalls to plan for

• Cancelling Jobber too early. Don't cancel until you've checked the exported data and Housecall Pro is running your daily work. Keep both subscriptions while they overlap.
• Trusting an imported price book unchecked. If you use a price book, check every imported item and price in Housecall Pro, or rebuild it there, before you send quotes from it.
• Forgetting custom workflows. If your office built custom workflows or automations in Jobber (dispatch rules, email templates, automated billing), list every one and ask Housecall Pro how to rebuild each before cutover.
• Skipping the team. Have the team members least comfortable with software try Housecall Pro before you sign. Train a few willing people first and have them help the rest.
• Switching in your busiest months. Setup, data checks and training take office time you need for customers when demand peaks.
• Not budgeting for the overlap. While both tools run, you keep paying for Jobber: $29/mo at its starting price, or more on a higher plan.

Things to verify BEFORE you sign the new contract

• Data export from Jobber. Confirm you can export customers, jobs and invoices in a format Housecall Pro can import.
• QuickBooks integration. If you keep your books in QuickBooks, check that Housecall Pro supports your version (Online or Desktop) and the sync direction you need. Our data lists quickbooks online and quickbooks desktop for Housecall Pro.
• Cancellation terms on Jobber. Check your contract for a minimum term or annual commitment and the notice period.
• Implementation cost on Housecall Pro. Ask for the setup or onboarding fee in writing.
• Team adoption. Have the team members least comfortable with software try Housecall Pro before you sign.

When to hold off

• You're in your busiest months. Setup and training compete with customer work.
• Your current pain is a single missing feature that the new tool also doesn't solve. Verify the feature gap closes before signing.
• Your team adopted Jobber recently. Another change soon after can wear on a team; make sure the move is worth it.