The ProfitDig Blog
Insights, strategies, and news for the modern contractor.
How to Estimate Dirtwork: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Contractors
If you’ve been in the excavation or site prep business for any length of time, you know that dirtwork estimating is where bids are won and where margins are lost. Underestimate a cut and fill job and you’re eating the difference. Overestimate and you lose the contract to someone who did their homework. The good […]
Understanding Job Costs: A Contractor’s Guide
Understanding Job Costs: A Contractor’s Guide As a contractor, you’re likely familiar with the struggle of guessing on job costs. It’s a common pitfall that can eat into your profits if you’re not careful. Knowing your numbers isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. Today, let’s look at some practical steps to guide you through […]
The Importance of Daily Notes on the Jobsite
The Importance of Daily Notes on the Jobsite Keeping accurate and detailed notes on the jobsite is not just a good practice; it can save your neck when disputes arise. In this post, we’ll look at why daily notes matter, what to include, and how to get the necessary sign-offs from the right people. Why […]
Understanding Your Budget: Bidding Basics for Contractors
Understanding Your Budget: Bidding Basics for Contractors When it comes to bidding on a new project, knowing your budget is non-negotiable. You might think of your quote or proposal as just a number, but it’s much more. It’s your working budget. This figure includes not just your raw costs but also your overhead and profit […]
Understanding Equipment Costs in Your Bids
Understanding Equipment Costs in Your Bids When you’re deep into the trenches of a construction job, it’s easy to overlook the costs that come with owning and operating your equipment. But let me tell you, if you’re not factoring those in, you might be digging your own financial grave. Let’s walk through what you need […]
Understanding Bonds in Your Construction Bids
Understanding Bonds in Your Construction Bids When you’re putting together your bids, it’s easy to overlook the details that can make or break your proposal. One of those details is understanding bonds. Bonds can seem complicated, but getting a handle on them is important. Let’s break it down so you can bid with confidence. What […]
Stop Guessing: How to Nail Your Job Bids Every Time
Tired of losing money on bids because of missed costs? This post reveals practical strategies to improve your bidding accuracy and protect your profits.
Why Line Item Tracking is the Secret Weapon for Your Construction Business
In the construction world, knowing you made money at the end of a project is great. But knowing exactly where you made it (and where you lost it) is the difference between a business that survives and one that scales. Most contractors track “big picture” costs, but the real magic happens when you dive into […]
The True Cost of Underbidding a Job (And How to Avoid It)
You won the bid. Congratulations — except, by the time the job wraps up, you’ve barely broken even. Sound familiar? For many small contractors, underbidding isn’t just a one-time mistake. It’s a pattern that quietly drains the life out of a business. Let’s talk about what underbidding actually costs you and what you can do […]