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Our mission

Help trades build a better world.

Why we care.

Trade businesses are the backbone of the economy. They keep our cities running, and our countries growing.

Yet running one has become a second trade in itself.

For decades you have relied on heroics, spreadsheets, and a stack of vendors taped together. A CRM, a scheduling tool, a price book, a photo app, a take-off platform, and at least one person whose actual job is to make all of it talk to each other.

And for all their promises, you are still stuck clicking buttons.

You didn’t get into this line of work to do admin. You did it to serve your customers, your community, and to deliver great work.

Business owners have waited a long time for software that just works. One that actually lives up to the promise of helping them run their business better.

We are determined to be the company that delivers on that promise.

We are not going to build the homes, wire the buildings or keep the water running. But if we try hard, we can be a multiplier for those who do.

If this excites you, we’d love to hear from you.

NiklasKogulan

Niklas & Kogulan, co-founders of Backbone

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An electrician working at the meter box of a suburban house

About us

Field-service experts with a purpose

Niklas and Kogulan smiling by a car on a site visit, Kogulan holding a laptop
Niklas and Kogulan grinning from the front seats of a work van

How Backbone got started

We’ve spent years building technology for people in the real world, from teachers and farmers to couriers and logistics operators.

At Niklas’s previous company, he built software that trade suppliers like Reece and Voltex used to run their operations across Australia and New Zealand. Through them, Niklas got to know many trade business owners and heard firsthand about the challenges they faced.

That’s where the idea for Backbone was born.

We decided to team up, driven by a shared passion for solving real problems. We love early mornings out on site, getting out in the field, listening to how people work and making technology work for them, not the other way around. With Backbone, we saw an opportunity to put that passion to work and make a real difference to the businesses and people we support.

We believe the people who keep our homes, businesses and communities running deserve software that works as hard as they do.

3 beliefs that guide our company

  1. Not Get time backGrow your business

    Other platforms measure success in admin reduced and time saved. We don’t think that’s good enough.

    The real test, and what guides everything we do, is whether we help you grow sales profitably.

  2. Not Point solutionsOne system

    Other platforms ask you to stitch multiple systems together. That leads to more work, higher cost and worse results.

    When everything connects end to end, the system takes more work off your plate.

  3. Not Jack of all tradesMaster of some

    Other platforms try to cater for every type of trade business. We’d rather be exceptional for a few.

    That means going deeper and solving industry-specific problems generic platforms ignore.

    ElectricalPlumbingHVAC

Our approach

Nerds in safety vests

  • Adoption starts with trust

    We spend time in the field, put a face to the name and earn credibility with the people using the product.

  • Low to no setup

    Our migration agent moves your data and workflows across, and technicians learn the tool in one session.

  • Partner > Provider

    Real people, local support and a team that stays involved.

A tradesperson unloading tools from the back of a white ute outside a suburban house

Questions & Answers

Who is Backbone for?

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC businesses doing service, installs or projects. We don’t try to cater for every trade, so everything is built around how your business actually runs.

How much does it cost?

Backbone Sales is $199/month with unlimited users. Backbone Sales + Operations starts at $349/month with 3 users included, and scales with your team. Pay annually and save 20%, with free setup and training. Running solo or just starting out? Our new business program gives you Backbone Sales + Operations for up to 5 users at $99/month for your first 12 months. See our pricing page for the full breakdown.

Can I try it before I commit?

Yes. Start with a free assessment and a 14-day free trial. If it’s not right for you, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

I’m on Simpro, ServiceM8 or similar. How hard is it to switch?

Not hard at all. We move your jobs, customers and templates across for free, then set Backbone up for your business and train your team.

How long does it take to set up?

Most teams are up and running within 3 days. We handle the migration and setup, so you can keep working while we do.

Am I locked into a contract?

No. Monthly plans can be cancelled anytime, and annual plans save you 20%. Either way, your first 30 days come with a full money-back guarantee.

Can Backbone answer calls and talk to customers?

Yes. It answers calls, emails and texts. You decide what it handles and how it sounds, so customers always hear your business, not a robot.

Does it work with my email and accounting software?

Yes. Backbone connects with Gmail and Outlook for email, and Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB for accounting, so jobs, invoices and payments stay in sync.

Will my team actually use it?

Yes. The field app is fast, simple and built for working on site, not in an office. Everything a tech needs is on one screen, and they can quote, upsell and finish the paperwork before leaving the job. We train your crew during setup, so they’re confident from day one.

Is my data secure?

Yes. Your data is encrypted, never sold and never used to train AI models. We’re working towards ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification.

A tradesperson arriving at a customer’s house, greeted at the gate

The future of trade.Available today.

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