What inventory is
Inventory is the simple list of everything you keep on hand to do the work — filters and pads, R-410A and fittings, wax and chemicals, blades and fasteners. Whatever you'd hate to be standing at a job without.
For each item you set how many you have and the point where you want a heads-up — a lot of one, one of another. SideWRK counts them down as you use them on jobs and flags the ones getting low before you're actually out. It's not a warehouse system. It's the shelf in your head, written down so it stops costing you a second trip to the supply house.
What you can use it for
Every trade, not just mechanics
A detailer tracks wax and pads and chemicals. An appliance tech tracks heating elements and valves. HVAC tracks capacitors and refrigerant, plumbers track cartridges and fittings, landscapers track fuel and blades. One list, whatever your trade calls its parts.
Stop the second trip
The reorder warning tells you a part is running low while you can still grab it on the way home — instead of finding out at 8am on a job with the customer standing there.
Bill parts without thinking
Pull an item from inventory onto a job and it drops onto the invoice at your price. No re-typing the part, no forgetting to charge for it.
See your real profit
Because each item carries your cost, the part you use shows up in the job’s cost — so the Money tab shows what you actually made, not just what you charged.
How to use inventory in SideWRK
- 1
Open Shop → Inventory
Tap Add item, or tap Scan and point your camera at the barcode on the box. Give it whatever name makes sense to you — "drain pump", "gloves", "R-410A".
- 2
Set your counts
Enter how many you have on hand, the number where you want to be warned ("warn me when down to 3", or 1 for your last one), and your cost each.
- 3
Use it on a job
On any job, tap "Use from inventory" and pick the part. The count drops by one and the part bills onto the invoice at your price automatically.
- 4
Watch the low-stock heads-up
When you open the app, anything at or below its reorder point shows up in a low-stock banner with a reorder list — so restocking is a glance, not a spreadsheet.
- 5
Scan to restock
Scan the same barcode again later and SideWRK recognizes it — adjust the count in a tap. Name it once, and every future scan knows what it is.
Why it’s built into SideWRK
The big field-service apps put inventory behind their higher tiers, or make you bolt on a separate tool. Here it's included on every plan, from $24 a month — because knowing what you have on hand is part of running the job, not a premium add-on.
And it's tied to the rest of the app. The part you stock is the part you bill is the part that shows up in your real profit. One tap connects the shelf to the invoice to the Money tab, so nothing gets used for free.
Inventory — common questions
Does this only work for auto or appliance parts?
No. Inventory is trade-neutral. Whatever you keep on hand — chemicals, filters, fasteners, refrigerant, fuel, fittings — you name it yourself and track it. It reads right for a detailer or a fence builder as much as a mechanic.
What is a reorder point?
It’s the count where you want a warning. Set it per item — you might want a heads-up when you’re down to 3 filters, but only when you’re on your last compressor. SideWRK flags each item at its own number.
Can I scan barcodes?
Yes. Scan the UPC on a box to add or find an item. Name it the first time, and every scan of that barcode after that recognizes it — so you can stock it or bill it onto a job in one tap.
Does using a part actually charge the customer?
When you pull an item from inventory onto a job, it adds a billed line at your price and drops your on-hand count by one. The part gets charged and your stock stays accurate without a second step.
Is there a limit on how many items I can track?
No item cap on inventory. Track as many parts and supplies as you carry.