The ProfitDig Blog
Insights, strategies, and news for the modern contractor.
How to Know If a Job is Worth Bidding On
If you are like most contractors, you have been told to bid on everything. The idea is that the more jobs you chase, the more jobs you will win. But the truth is different. Not every job is worth bidding on. In fact, some jobs will waste your time and cost you money. The first […]
Why Cheap Bids Cost You More in the End
Every contractor wants to win jobs. The competition is tough, and it is tempting to come in with the lowest number just to land the work. On the surface, this looks like a smart move. The client picks you, you get the job, and your crew stays busy. But here is the truth. Cheap bids […]
What Your Bid Says About You (and How to Make It Look Professional)
A bid is not just a price. It is a message about your business. When a client looks at your bid, they are asking themselves a simple question. Can I trust this contractor? Many small contractors put together bids in a rush. Maybe it is a few numbers on a sheet of paper. Maybe it […]
The 5-Minute Math Mistake That Can Sink a Job
Ever bid a job in a hurry? You grab your calculator, punch in some numbers, scribble a few totals, and boom – you’ve got a price. Five minutes later, you’re on to the next thing. The problem is, one tiny math mistake in that quick calculation can cost you thousands of dollars. Contractors lose money […]
Why Your “Back of the Napkin” Bids Are Costing You Money
Ever finish a bid on the back of a napkin at lunch? A couple of quick numbers, add a little padding, and boom – you’ve got a “bid.” It feels fast. It feels easy. It also feels like you’re working for free half the time. Here’s why those back-of-the-napkin bids are costing you money: 1. […]
WTH is an RFI? (And Other Letters That Matter)
If you’ve been in construction for more than five minutes, you’ve probably had some fancy acronym tossed your way. Someone sends you paperwork labeled “RFI,” or an owner asks for an “RFP,” and you’re left scratching your head wondering what alphabet soup has to do with pouring concrete. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. A lot […]
Why Fall is the Best Time to Get Your Bidding Game in Shape
When the long days of summer start to fade and the leaves begin to change, most contractors finally get a chance to catch their breath. The summer rush is often the busiest stretch of the year, with crews running wide open and bids flying out the door. But when fall arrives, things usually slow down […]
3 Ways to Screw Up Your Bids Without Even Trying
Bidding jobs is one of the most important parts of running a construction business. You can be the best builder in the world, but if your bids are wrong, you are going to lose money before you even set foot on the job site. The tricky part is that many contractors screw up bids without […]
The End-of-Summer Bidding Reset: Win More Jobs This Fall Without Burning Out
Summer is the grind season. The phone rings nonstop, you throw bids together, and before you know it your calendar is packed. But as summer winds down, things slow just enough to catch your breath. That makes it the perfect time for a bidding reset. If you are like most contractors, your bidding process got […]
How to Build Better Construction Bids (Without Getting Burned)
New to the construction game and trying to win work? Your bid proposal isn’t just about pricing – it’s your first line of defense against scope creep, lost profit, and future headaches. In this edition of ProfitDig Live, Chris Work, Jeff Spencer, and Jerry Work lay out real-world advice on how to craft solid construction […]