Best Business Bank Accounts for Self-Employed Tradespeople: Plumbers, Roofers, Electricians, and More

The Quick Answer

Mercury is usually the top pick for solo tradespeople. It's easy to use, has no monthly fees, and simply gets the job done for tracking income from plumbing jobs or paying for roofing supplies. Relay could work if you want to strictly separate money for different things like estimated taxes, a new work truck, or operating costs. Brex Cash is mainly for you if you already use their corporate credit card and want all your spending and cash in one place.

Side-by-Side Breakdown

Mercury: Zero monthly fees. No minimum cash in the account. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $5 million through partner banks. Offers a "Treasury" option to earn a little extra on larger savings, perfect for your down payment on a new commercial van or saving for next year's license renewals. Supports common payments like ACH for suppliers, wires for large equipment, and checks for local material vendors.

Relay: No monthly fees for basic services (Relay Pro at $30/month has extra features, but likely overkill for a solo owner). You can open up to 20 separate checking accounts and get 50 debit cards. This is great for a solo contractor who wants to dedicate accounts for specific goals: one for estimated taxes, one for "tools and truck maintenance," one for "operating expenses" (like fuel, insurance), and one for "owner's pay." Helps keep your books cleaner than using spreadsheets.

Brex Cash: Free if you also get the Brex business credit card. Your cash is FDIC insured up to $6 million. It offers a high-yield on your main account balance, which can add a little extra to your money. It's fully connected with Brex's spending tools, so you can see your spending on materials and your cash balance in one spot. Remember, you can't get Brex Cash on its own; you need to apply for their card too.

When to Choose Mercury

Choose Mercury if you're a self-employed plumber, roofer, remodeler, or any solo tradesperson who needs a straightforward, free business bank account that works from the moment you land your first job. It’s perfect if you just need one main account for deposits from invoices and paying for supplies like lumber or copper piping. You also get a Treasury option if you start building up a significant savings for a big purchase like a new heavy-duty work truck. Most solo contractors can get approved and start using it within 1-2 days without needing to visit a physical bank branch.

When to Choose Relay

Pick Relay if you want to organize your money into different "buckets" for your solo trade business. For instance, you could have one account just for estimated quarterly taxes, another for "truck and tool fund" for upgrades, and a separate one for regular "operating expenses" like fuel and insurance premiums. This helps you clearly see where your money is going and ensures you always have cash set aside for specific goals, which is especially helpful for first-time self-employed folks managing their cash flow. It's a great way to put the "Profit First" money management idea into practice without a lot of manual tracking.

When to Choose Brex Cash

Consider Brex Cash if you're already using or plan to get the Brex corporate credit card for your business expenses, like bulk material purchases or online tool orders. This setup lets you see all your spending, your bank balance, and manage any reimbursements (though unlikely for a solo owner) from a single dashboard. It's designed for tight integration, so if you want your operating cash to earn a decent yield and be managed alongside your credit card, Brex Cash could be a good fit.

The Verdict

For most first-time self-employed plumbers, roofers, or general contractors, Mercury is the easiest and best starting point. It’s simple, free, and designed to handle the basic financial needs of a solo business without any hidden fees. If you find yourself wanting to strictly separate your money into categories – like a dedicated account for estimated taxes or future equipment purchases – then look at Relay. Only consider Brex Cash if you're already committed to using the Brex credit card for all your business spending.

How to Get Started

Mercury: Go to mercury.com to apply. You'll need your Employer Identification Number (EIN), your business setup documents (like your LLC formation papers if you have them, or just your personal details if you're a sole proprietor), and a personal ID. Many solo contractors get approved fast, often within a day or two.

Relay: Apply at relayfi.com. Before you sign up, think about how you want to divide your money. Do you want separate accounts for taxes, new tools, and operating costs? Deciding this upfront will make setting up your accounts much smoother and avoid needing to reorganize later.

Brex Cash: You can only get Brex Cash when you apply for their business credit card. You can't open a Brex Cash bank account by itself; it's part of getting their card product.

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