How can we help?

Answers to the questions we get asked most.

Getting started

How does the free trial work?: Every plan starts with a 30-day free trial, no card required. Pick a plan before it ends to keep going. If you don't, your account becomes read-only: you can still see everything, and nothing is deleted.
What should I set up first?: Your business profile in Settings: business name, phone, GST details and bank account. These show on your quotes and invoices, so it's worth doing before you send your first one.
Do I get a website?: Yes. Every business gets its own page at carabo.app/p/your-business with your details, services and published reviews. Customers can send you an enquiry straight from it. You manage it under Website.
How do I add my team?: Go to Team and invite them by email. Pick a role: Admins help run the business day to day, while Field Workers and Subcontractors only see the jobs you assign them. How many people you can add depends on your plan.
Can I import my customer list?: Not yet. For now, customers are added one at a time, which only needs a name and mobile number. If you've got a big list to bring across, get in touch and we'll help.

How do customers accept a quote?: When you send a quote, your customer gets a link to view it online and tap Accept or Decline, no login needed. When they accept, Carabo creates the invoice for you.
Can I ask for a deposit?: Yes. Add a deposit amount when you create the quote. When the customer accepts, they get a separate deposit invoice alongside the main one.
What if the job changes after the quote is accepted?: Add a variation to the job. Your customer approves it online, and approved variations are added to the next invoice for that job.
How do I record a payment I got by bank transfer or cash?: Open the invoice and mark it as paid, with the amount. Part payments are fine, and the invoice keeps track of what's still owing.
How do reviews work?: Once an invoice is paid, you can send your customer a review request. Only customers with a paid invoice can leave a review, so every one is from a real job. You choose which reviews show on your website.

How do I take card payments?: Connect Stripe under Settings > Payments. Your customers can then pay invoices online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and the money goes straight to your bank account.
What does it cost to take card payments?: You pay Stripe's standard card fee on each payment. Carabo doesn't take a cut.
Can customers still pay by bank transfer?: Yes. Your bank details always show on your invoices, whether or not you've connected Stripe.
Does Carabo do my GST return?: No. Reports shows your GST collected, GST you can claim and your net position for any period, which makes the return quicker. But Carabo never files anything with IRD, so treat the figures as a guide and check with your accountant.
Does it sync with Xero?: Not yet. Xero sync is one of the next things we're building.

Can I change my plan?: Yes, under Settings > Billing. Upgrades apply straight away. Downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing period.
How do I keep my account secure?: Turn on two-factor authentication under Settings. You'll then need a code from an authenticator app as well as your password to log in.
What happens if I close my business account?: Your subscription is cancelled and the account becomes read-only. Your data stays put, so you can still look up old quotes and invoices for your records.
How do I delete my account?: Account deletion isn't self-service yet. Get in touch and we'll take care of it for you.

Send us a message and we'll get back to you.