The ServiceM8 alternative
built for UK trades.
ServiceM8’s field app is built for iPhone and iPad first; its Android app is a lighter companion rather than the full experience. Gaffer is an all-in-one job-management platform for UK trade businesses with a full native Android app (iOS to follow), plus the compliance, certificates and automations UK trades actually need.
No card required for the 7-day trial · Web and Android (iOS to follow)
What is actually in Gaffer
Rather than describe ServiceM8’s product from the outside, here is exactly what ships in Gaffer today, with the real figures.
| Capability | In Gaffer | What that means on the job |
|---|---|---|
| Trade certificates & forms | 913 trade documents | Gas Safe records, EICRs, minor works, FENSA, RAMS — completed on site, signed, PDF issued before you leave. |
| UK trades with a ready-made pack | 58 trades | Your trade’s own forms, quote templates and job templates switched on from day one, not a form builder to configure. |
| Priced quote templates | 218 templates | Start from a real list of line items for the job in front of you rather than an empty quote. |
| UK finance | CIS deductions, VAT on invoices | Construction Industry Scheme deductions and VAT handled on your quotes and invoices — the figures then go to Xero, QuickBooks or Sage, which is what actually files with HMRC. |
| Free trial | 7 days, no card | Or 60 days if you add a card or Direct Debit mandate at signup — SMS, voice and the AI receptionist need one of those on file either way. |
Painless, on purpose.
Export a CSV of your customers, jobs, quotes and invoices from ServiceM8 and bring it into Gaffer — matched rather than duplicated, with your invoice sequence continuing rather than restarting. Photos and attachments do not come across; old ones stay where they are, new ones live here.
See the full switching guide →- Customer contacts and full job history
- Open and completed jobs with their details
- Quotes, including line items and pricing
- Invoices and their payment status
- Site addresses and contact records
Gaffer vs ServiceM8
Is Gaffer a good ServiceM8 alternative?
Gaffer covers the core job tracking, quoting and invoicing you would expect, then adds UK-specific compliance packs for 58 trades, CIS handling on invoices, an offline-first mobile app and automations — areas where a general job tracker tends to do less.
Can I import my data from ServiceM8?
Yes. Export a CSV of your customers, jobs, quotes and invoices from ServiceM8 and Gaffer imports it — matching customers rather than duplicating them, and continuing your invoice numbering. See exactly what travels and what does not on the switching page.
Does Gaffer work for my trade?
Almost certainly. Gaffer ships compliance trade packs for 58 trades — electricians, plumbers, gas and heating engineers, roofers, tree surgeons and more — each with the right certificates, forms and job templates built in.
Do I need a card to try Gaffer?
No. You get a full 7-day trial with no card required, on web and Android (iOS to follow). Adding a card or Direct Debit mandate instead extends that to 60 days and is what SMS, voice and the AI receptionist need to work.
Make the switch from ServiceM8.
7 days free, no card needed, and a CSV import that brings your customers, jobs, quotes and invoices across.
Founding members: first 100 businesses get 50% off every paid plan, for as long as they stay subscribed.