FreeAgent for builders: where it fits and where it doesn't

If you bank with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle, FreeAgent may cost you nothing, and it does your books properly: VAT returns filed to HMRC, CIS on both sides, the reverse charge built in. For a sole trader or a small limited company, that's hard to argue with, and we won't try.

What FreeAgent isn't is job software. We couldn't find a way for a client to accept a quote online, a contract with e-signature, variations or a site diary in it. It's accounting software, and the job side is a separate problem: the one EstiMate solves.

So: keep FreeAgent for the books if you're on it. If you build extensions, refit bathrooms or run loft conversions, read on for what goes alongside it.

Free with your bank account. Still not job software.

FreeAgent is free with a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account "for as long as you retain your bank account", and free with Mettle "as long as you make at least one transaction per month" (free accounting software). That's one free licence per bank account, and optional add-ons may cost extra (FreeAgent FAQs).

If you don't bank with them, here's the list price.

Prices checked October 2026, excluding VAT, from FreeAgent's pricing page. Annual billing is offered too, for example £190 a year for sole traders.

What FreeAgent does well for trades

• Files Making Tax Digital VAT returns to HMRC (pricing).
• CIS for subcontractors and for contractors (CIS for subcontractors, CIS for contractors).
• The domestic reverse charge for both sides (reverse charge for subcontractors).
• Estimates you can email, turn into invoices and link to projects, including from the mobile app (create an estimate).
• Payroll and a mobile app.

People like it. It scores 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 reviews (Trustpilot) and 4.8 on the UK App Store from about 14,000 ratings (App Store).

Two tax details builders should know

First, CIS returns. FreeAgent works out CIS for contractors, but its own help centre says "it's not currently possible to file CIS300 returns using FreeAgent". You export the monthly return as a PDF or CSV and file it through HMRC's online service (CIS300 help).

Second, the reverse charge on the contractor side. When you receive reverse-charge invoices from your subbies, FreeAgent says box 6 of the VAT return usually needs a manual adjustment (reverse charge for contractors).

Neither is a reason to leave FreeAgent. Just know they're there. And in fairness, EstiMate doesn't file CIS returns either: it keeps the CIS register and prepares the figures. Our CIS guide covers the monthly return.

Where it doesn't fit: the job

The quote

In FreeAgent, once the client agrees to an estimate, you change its status to approved yourself (estimate status). We couldn't find a link the client clicks to accept it. On a £30,000 extension, "he said yes on the phone" is a weak place to start.

EstiMate sends a quote link where the client can accept, decline, tick optional extras or ask for amendments, so you have a record of what they chose. See builder quoting software.

The contract and the extras

We couldn't find contracts with e-signature or variations in FreeAgent (October 2026). In EstiMate the accepted quote becomes a contract the client signs online, and extras priced on site become signed addenda, with the contract total and invoices updated.

The site

FreeAgent has projects, and estimates can be linked to them (estimates update). We couldn't find a site diary, RAMS or snag list. EstiMate has a site diary with weather and workforce, RFIs, photos, RAMS and COSHH, and on Pro, snagging with numbered pins on drawings and a handover pack.

FreeAgent and EstiMate together

EstiMate's quote link, contracts, variations and invoicing are on the £15.99 plan and above; its free plan is for pricing three jobs a month. On the paperwork side: EstiMate's cost exports are in Xero and QuickBooks formats and aren't a live sync. If you're on FreeAgent, use EstiMate's year-end exports for your accountant, and keep invoices and costs in step between the two.

The NatWest builder: a worked example

Here's an illustrative sole trader who banks with NatWest and runs two or three kitchen and bathroom jobs at a time.

• FreeAgent: £0, through the bank account.
• EstiMate: £15.99 a month per business (£191.88 over a year).
• Total: £15.99 a month for the books, VAT filing, quotes, contracts, variations and site records.

The same trader trading as a limited company and not banking with NatWest Group would pay FreeAgent's £33 a month ex VAT after the intro period, plus £15.99 for EstiMate. Either way, EstiMate's price is what you pay, with a VAT receipt.

Who should use FreeAgent on its own

If your quotes are short, your clients are repeat customers who agree by phone, and you don't deal with variations, FreeAgent covers you. The same goes for a labour-only subbie: CIS and the reverse charge are handled, and there's no contract to manage.

If you're weighing up accounting packages more widely, our Xero for builders post compares the other common choice.

What to do next

1. Check whether you qualify for free FreeAgent through your bank.
2. Keep FreeAgent for the books and VAT filing.
3. Price your next job in EstiMate on the free plan: three jobs a month, no card, no time limit. Move to the £15.99 plan when you want the quote link, contract and invoices.

Keep FreeAgent, add the job side: start free.