Case Study: Marty’s Metal Roofing

Keeping Up with Work Is Easy. Keeping Up with Admin? Not So Much.

For most tradies, the goal is simple: get the job done, keep the work flowing and make sure clients are happy. But behind every great trade business is a pile of admin – quoting, invoicing, chasing payments, payroll, BAS lodgment, tax compliance. The work that doesn’t make you money but still needs to get done.

It’s easy for paperwork to build up when you’re flat out on-site every day. And before you know it, your nights and weekends are spent catching up instead of switching off.

That’s exactly where Marty, a Perth-based roof plumber, found himself.

The Turning Point: When Admin Becomes Too Much

Marty has worked as a tradie his whole life, handling residential and commercial projects across Perth. In 2019, he took the leap and started his own business, excited for more freedom and control.

But as the work picked up so did the admin.

“At first I could keep up, but as more jobs came in, I was spending too much time on paperwork. I knew I needed a better system before it got overwhelming.”

Rather than letting admin take over, Marty reached out to Carbon, a firm he already knew and trusted. He wanted a team that could help him structure his business properly, manage the financials and make sure everything ran smoothly, without him having to micromanage it.

The Solution: Virtual Assistant & Admin Support for Tradies

At Carbon, we know admin is just one piece of the puzzle. Tradies need more than someone to send invoices, they need a proactive team that keeps their business in order and helps them plan ahead.

To take back control, Marty signed up for Carbon’s Virtual Assistant services, giving him a dedicated team to handle the day-to-day admin while also setting up systems to future-proof his business.

Here’s how Carbon helped Marty:

Invoicing & Debt Collection

Marty no longer has to chase clients for payments or worry about sending invoices on time. His Virtual Assistant handles it all, sending invoices, following up overdue payments and making sure cash keeps flowing into the business. With a streamlined system, Marty’s invoices go out on time, every time and overdue payments are chased automatically, improving his cash flow.

Payroll & Bookkeeping

Managing wages for subcontractors and suppliers used to be a hassle but now Carbon takes care of payroll processing, superannuation and reconciling expenses. Instead of sifting through receipts and spreadsheets, Marty gets accurate, up-to-date financial records and automated payroll management, so there are no last-minute headaches.

ATO & Tax Compliance

No more last-minute tax surprises. Carbon’s team manages BAS lodgements, GST reporting and tax compliance to ensure everything is up to date with the ATO. We also proactively identify opportunities for tax savings, helping Marty keep more of his hard-earned money in his pocket.

The Results: More Time, Less Stress and a Smoother Business

Since working with Carbon, Marty has:

• More time on the tools, less time stuck in paperwork: With invoices, payroll and tax taken care of, Marty can spend more time working and less time worrying about admin.
• Faster invoicing and fewer late payments: His cash flow has improved because invoices go out faster and overdue payments are followed up quickly, ensuring steady income.
• A proper bookkeeping and payroll system that keeps everything in order: Marty’s financial records are up to date, his payroll is handled accurately and his books are compliant, so no more last-minute panic at tax time.

“It’s just easier now. I don’t waste time sorting through paperwork, and I know everything’s looked after properly. I can just focus on the work.”

Why More Tradies Are Getting Admin Support

The reality is most tradies don’t start their own business because they love admin. You start because you’re good at what you do and want to build something for yourself. But as work picks up, the paperwork does too.

That’s why more tradies are outsourcing their admin, to:

• Spend more time on the tools, not behind a desk.
• Get invoices out faster and improve cash flow.
• Stay on top of tax and payroll without the stress.
• Keep their business running smoothly without losing nights and weekends.
• Get access to a full team of experts – not just admin support.

With Carbon, you’re not just getting a Virtual Assistant, you’re getting an entire support team to help your business grow.

Need Help With Admin? Here’s How We Can Support You

At Carbon Virtual Assistant (VA), we provide tradie-focused, end-to-end business support including:

• Admin support: Handling quotes, responding to emails, scheduling jobs and managing paperwork.
• Invoicing & debt collection: Get paid faster with automated invoicing and follow-ups on overdue payments.
• Payroll & bookkeeping: Managing wages, super, tax compliance and reconciling transactions so you stay on top of your finances.
• ATO & tax compliance: BAS lodgements, GST reporting and financial management to keep your business compliant.
• Trade account setup & legal liaison: Assisting with setting up trade accounts, dealing with suppliers and liaising with legal teams if needed.
• Connections to financial experts: Whether you need an accountant, insurance broker, finance broker or financial planner, we can connect you with the right professionals.

“If you’re a sole trader or a small business in the trade industry, this kind of support is a game-changer. It saves you time, reduces stress and helps your business run properly.”

If you’re a Perth tradie tired of admin slowing you down, Carbon can help.

Book a free consultation today and let’s chat about how we can make your life easier.