The ProfitDig Blog
Insights, strategies, and news for the modern contractor.
Your First Employee: What to Know Before You Hire
Hiring your first employee is a big step. It feels like proof that your business is growing. But it also comes with risks. If you are not careful, you can lose money fast. Let’s go through the key things you need to think about before you bring someone onto the payroll. First, know the real […]
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 […]
Don’t Let Your Profits Disappear with the Summer Heat
Summer can be a wild ride for contractors. Crews are stretched thin, days are long, and jobs pile up faster than you can keep track of them. By the time fall rolls around, you might be too exhausted to think about anything other than catching your breath. But before you put summer in the rearview […]
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 […]
Why You’re Always Chasing Crews — and How to Fix It
If you have been in construction for any length of time, you know the feeling of chasing crews. You show up at the job site and half your guys are missing. One is working on another project. Another called in sick. Before long you are standing there wondering how you are supposed to hit the […]
Summer’s Over, But the Bills Aren’t: How Contractors Can Manage Cash Flow Into Fall
Summer is the big season for most contractors. The days are long, the weather is better, and the work is steady. But when fall comes around, the phone can slow down. Jobs are still out there, but the rush is over. Meanwhile, the bills never stop. Payroll, equipment payments, insurance, and truck notes keep rolling […]
Did You Make Any Money This Summer? Here’s How to Know for Sure
Summer is usually the busiest time of year for contractors. Crews are working long hours, the jobs keep rolling in, and the heat is brutal. But now that the dust is settling, here is the question that really matters: did you make any money? It is easy to assume that if your crew stayed busy […]
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