If your profit keeps disappearing even when you bid the job right, the problem might not be your numbers. It might be your crew. Labor is one of the biggest expenses on any construction job, and even small inefficiencies add up fast. The problem is, most contractors are too busy putting out fires to notice what’s really happening in the field.
Here are five red flags that your crew is quietly costing you money and what you can do to turn it around.
1. They Waste the First Hour of Every Day
If you show up to a job site and see guys standing around waiting for materials, drinking coffee, or asking what they’re supposed to do, you’re watching money burn. The first hour of the day sets the tone for everything that follows.
You need a plan before anyone arrives. That means materials ready, tasks assigned, and clear instructions. When the crew shows up, they should know exactly what to do. That one small change can add an hour of productivity per man, per day.
Do the math. That’s hundreds of dollars every week, just by starting strong.
2. They “Forget” to Record Hours or Materials
If you don’t have accurate records, you can’t know what a job really costs. Period.
Some guys just hate paperwork, but if hours and materials aren’t recorded daily, it’s a recipe for disaster. You end up guessing when you bid the next job, and guesswork kills profit.
The fix is simple. Use a system that makes tracking easy. ProfitDig, for example, lets you record time and materials right in the field. No messy notes or forgotten hours. Just clear data that tells you exactly where your money is going.
3. You Have the Same Problems on Every Job
If the same mistakes keep happening – wrong materials, slow cleanup, poor communication – it’s not bad luck. It’s bad habits.
You can’t afford to let your crew repeat the same errors. Hold short weekly meetings to talk about what went wrong and how to fix it. It doesn’t have to be long. Ten minutes of honesty can save thousands over time.
Good crews learn from their mistakes. Bad ones just repeat them.
4. Productivity Drops When You’re Not There
Ever notice that work slows down the minute you leave the site? That’s a clear sign of poor accountability.
The best foremen and crew leaders keep things running even when you’re not around. If your jobs only move when you’re watching, you need stronger leadership in the field.
Start by setting clear expectations. Track progress daily. Reward performance, not just attendance. When people know you’re watching results instead of just showing up, they step up their game.
5. You Never Know Who’s Doing What
If everyone is “helping out,” no one is responsible. When roles aren’t defined, productivity tanks.
Assign specific jobs. One person runs materials. One handles measurements. One leads cleanup. When everyone knows their task, you eliminate confusion and wasted motion.
It might sound simple, but clarity is powerful. A focused crew works faster, makes fewer mistakes, and gets more done with less supervision.
Your crew is your biggest expense, but it can also be your biggest advantage. When you build habits of accountability, planning, and tracking, you’ll see the results fast.
Start small. Tighten up your morning routine. Track every hour and material. Review performance each week. These little things stack up, and before long, your jobs will finish faster and with more money left over.
ProfitDig can help you get there. With simple tools for job costing, time tracking, and project management, you’ll finally see exactly where your profit is going – and how to keep more of it.