How to make an app for a hardware shop

A hardware shop's trouble is in the small details: the same elbow in five sizes, a contractor who buys for three sites on one account, and a quotation the plumber wants on WhatsApp before lunch. An app keeps size-wise stock, site-wise credit and quick quotes in one place.

Updated 2026-11-09

Who uses the app

The owner and counter staff, and sometimes regular plumbers and contractors. If only the counter phone uses the app, data stays on that phone. If staff use their own phones, or contractors should see a catalogue or their balance, connect your own Supabase database.

The screens a hardware shop app needs

Contractors: Each contractor with their sites, purchases on credit by site, payments and the balance
New sale: Pick items and sizes, cash, UPI or credit, and which contractor and site it goes to
Quotation: Build a quote from items and quantities, and share it as a PDF on WhatsApp
Stock: Items by section and size with counts, and a minimum for each
Reorder: Items below the minimum, grouped by supplier, with a list to send on WhatsApp
Catalogue: For plumbers and contractors: sections, sizes and a cart that sends the list to your WhatsApp

Features worth asking for

One item with several sizes, each with its own price and count
Contractor credit split by site, with a statement as a PDF
Quotation to bill: turn an accepted quote into a sale
Scan an item's barcode with the phone camera where your packets have one (installed app)
A reminder on your phone at the end of each month to send contractor statements
A 'Pay via UPI' button on the statement for contractors to clear their balance

Where the data lives

If one counter phone runs the app, data can stay on it. If staff bill on their own phones, or contractors browse the catalogue or check their balance, connect your own Supabase database; for contractors to pay inside the app, connect your Razorpay account too.

How to make it with AppCub, step by step

Decide what the app does. List the screens you need, for example: Contractors, New sale, Quotation, Stock, Reorder.
Describe it to AppCub. Paste the request below, changed to your own business and details.
Check the plan. AppCub shows the screens and features it will build. Change them in the chat until they are right; seeing the plan is free.
Try it on your phone. The app runs live next to the chat. Scan the QR code to install it, and ask for changes.
Share it. Share it as a web link, an APK file, or publish it on Google Play from your own developer account.

Copy this request, change the details to match your hardware shop, and paste it into AppCub:

Make an app for my hardware shop, Jain Hardware and Sanitary in Pune. Screens: contractors, new sale, quotation, stock, reorder and catalogue. Items have sizes, each with its own price and count. Contractors buy on credit for different sites; show purchases and payments by site, and a monthly statement as a PDF. Quotations as PDFs to share on WhatsApp, and turn an accepted quote into a sale. Reorder list by supplier when items go below the minimum. Catalogue for plumbers with a cart that sends the list to my WhatsApp 98XXXXXXXX. Grey and red colours.

Tips for a hardware shop app

Start with the 100 items you sell every day, in all their sizes. Add slow items when they are restocked.
Ask each contractor for their site names once, so purchases are tagged correctly from day one.
Write item names the way your staff say them, with the Hindi or local name for search.
Send the first month's statements on WhatsApp alongside your old register and check they match.
Keep the quotation format short: item, size, quantity, rate, total and how long the rate holds.

What it costs

Describing your app and seeing AppCub’s plan for it is free.
A new app usually takes 60 to 110 credits. Start with the 2-day trial for ₹99 (150 credits, enough for one app and a few changes) or the one-time App Pack for ₹499. Starter is ₹1,599 a month for 700 credits.
Google Play needs a paid plan (it includes the Play Store bundle and your app’s signing key) and your own Google Play developer account, a one-time US$25 fee to Google.
Work that fails or is rolled back costs no credits.

See all plans

Good to know

AppCub doesn't connect to billing machines, weighing scales or receipt printers, and it doesn't send statements by itself. A button opens WhatsApp with the statement ready, and you send it.
AppCub builds Android apps. You can also share the app as a web link that opens on any phone; for the iPhone App Store, AppCub’s team can do it for you.

Questions

Can the app keep credit for a contractor with several sites?

Yes. Each purchase is tagged with a contractor and a site, so the statement shows what went to each site and the total balance.

Can I make a quotation in the app and share it?

Yes. Pick items and quantities, and the app makes a PDF quote to send on WhatsApp. When it is accepted, turn it into a sale.

Can the app handle one item in many sizes?

Yes. Ask for sizes under each item, such as a pipe elbow in half-inch, three-quarter-inch and one-inch, each with its own price and stock.

Can plumbers order from the app?

Yes, with a catalogue and cart that sends the list to your WhatsApp. Connect a Supabase database so they see your current items.

Can contractors pay their balance in the app?

A 'Pay via UPI' button can open their UPI app with your details. For card or UPI payments recorded inside the app, connect your own Razorpay and Supabase.

Does the app work at a busy counter?

Yes. Ask for big buttons, search by name or size, and a recent items list so common sales take a few taps.

Make your hardware shop app

Seeing the plan is free. Building starts with a 2-day trial for ₹99.

Start building