Why generic payroll software falls short in construction
Standard payroll platforms are built around a flat hourly or salaried rate. Construction payroll in Quebec is not flat:
- CCQ classification — journeyman, apprentice (by level), each with a different hourly rate published by trade
- Benefits contributions — vacation, statutory holidays and social benefits calculated as a percentage on top of wages, remitted to the CCQ
- Monthly CCQ reporting — hours and contributions reported to the CCQ every month, by employee and by classification
- Multi-site crews — the same employee can work different classifications on different jobsites in the same week
Handling this in a generic tool means manual spreadsheets on the side, re-entered into payroll — a common source of costly compliance errors.
What payroll & HR software should include for a contractor
| Requirement | Generic payroll (QuickBooks, ADP) | SubmitX |
|---|---|---|
| CCQ hourly rates by classification | Not built in | Automatic, updated yearly |
| Monthly CCQ report filing | Manual | Automated |
| T4 / DAS generation | Yes (generic) | Construction-specific |
| GPS time tracking by jobsite | No | Built in |
| Linked to bids & project costing | No | Same ERP |
All in one
Fix your payroll and HR problems — and every other headache — in one platform
Estimating, projects, field work, CCQ payroll, invoicing: SubmitX brings it all together in one place. Leave your details and a team member will show you how it works on your own cases.
- Estimating
- Projects & field
- CCQ payroll
- Invoicing
A team member will get in touch. Something urgent? Call 514-835-8734.
Meanwhile, you can try SubmitX free for 7 days.
How SubmitX automates payroll & HR
Employees are classified once
Set each employee's CCQ classification and trade; SubmitX applies the correct 2026 hourly rate automatically going forward.
Hours are tracked by jobsite
GPS-verified time tracking on mobile means hours are captured accurately per project, no paper timesheets to re-key.
Payroll runs with benefits included
Vacation and social-benefit contributions are calculated automatically as part of the pay run — not a separate manual step.
CCQ reports and T4s file themselves
Monthly CCQ filings and year-end T4s are generated from the same payroll data — no re-entry, no missed deadlines.
💡 Example: keeping CCQ classifications and payroll in the same system removes the monthly reconciliation between a spreadsheet and a separate payroll provider.
Pricing
Payroll and HR are included in every SubmitX plan (pricing on request), alongside bidding, project management and SEAO monitoring — no separate payroll add-on to buy. Free 7-day trial, no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payroll software for contractors in Quebec?
Generic payroll tools like QuickBooks Payroll don't know CCQ classifications or rates. SubmitX computes CCQ payroll automatically by classification (journeyman, apprentice), handles benefits contributions, and files monthly CCQ reports, T4s and DAS — for every construction trade.
Does SubmitX replace QuickBooks payroll for construction?
SubmitX handles construction-specific payroll (CCQ rates, classifications, monthly filings) and syncs with your accounting, so you keep bookkeeping in QuickBooks if you want while payroll runs correctly for construction from day one.
Is there HR software built specifically for construction companies?
Yes — SubmitX includes HR features designed around a construction crew: GPS time tracking by jobsite, CCQ classification history per employee, and automatic compliance with CCQ obligations, on top of standard payroll.
Work out your real CCQ labour cost
Official 2026 rates, benefits and employer contributions: the SubmitX CCQ calculator is free.
7-day trial · no credit card · or call 514-835-8734