When you’re a small contractor in the middle of summer, it’s tempting to chase every job that comes your way.
The phone rings. You say yes. Someone texts you a sketch on a napkin. You say yes. A guy at the supply house says, “Hey, I know someone looking for a crew,” and you say yes before even hearing what it is.
But here’s the truth: not every job is worth bidding.
Some jobs will cost you more than they’re worth. Some will tie up your crew for weeks with no profit. Others will eat your evenings, stress you out, or worse, damage your reputation.
That’s why we put together this quick “Hot Job” Checklist. Before you go chasing every lead in the July heat, run through these seven questions.
And yep, ProfitDig can help you track and organize all of this.
1. Do I Have the Crew for It?
You can’t do everything yourself. If the job is big, or needs more hands than you’ve got, be honest with yourself.
Do you have the right crew lined up? Are they reliable? Will they be available when the job needs to start?
If not, the job might not be a good fit.
2. Can I Make Real Money on This?
This one sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many contractors take jobs just to stay busy.
Do the math. After labor, materials, time, fuel, and headaches, is there still a good chunk left over for you?
If you don’t know the answer, you’re guessing – and guessing leads to losses.
Tip: ProfitDig helps you build bids using real numbers and job costing data from your past work.
3. Does the Customer Know What They Want?
Red flag: “We’re still figuring out what we’re going to do.”
If the customer is unsure about the scope, budget, or timeline, you could waste hours building a bid that leads nowhere.
Qualify them first. Ask questions. Make sure they’re serious.
4. Do I Have Time to Do It Right?
If you’re already juggling jobs, don’t take on something new just to be polite.
Slipping schedules, rushing work, or spreading yourself too thin hurts your reputation and your bottom line.
Look at your calendar. Look at your crew’s workload. If it’s going to overload you, it might be better to pass.
5. Is This the Type of Job I Do Well?
Stick to your lane.
If you’re great at grading and driveways, why chase a complex kitchen remodel? If you’ve never built a pole barn, is mid-July the time to figure it out?
The best jobs are the ones that fit your skills, your crew, and your workflow.
6. Are There Red Flags?
Late-night calls. Unrealistic deadlines. Changing scope. Vague drawings. That one weird uncle managing the project.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
Every contractor has that one job they wish they had never taken. You only need to live through that once.
7. Do I Want to Work With This Person?
This one matters more than you think.
Is the client respectful? Are they upfront? Do they seem like they’ll pay on time?
A good job with a bad client is still a bad job. Protect your mental health.
The summer rush is real. But the goal isn’t to take every job—it’s to take the right jobs.
Use this checklist to keep yourself in check. Keep your crew on solid projects. Stay profitable.
And if you want a better way to organize all your bids, track your job costs, and qualify leads faster, check out ProfitDig.
You’ll be able to build better bids, faster, with real data to back you up.
Sign up today and get 50 percent off your first 3 months with code: V3LAUNCH