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 step is to look at the client. Do you trust them to pay on time? Do they have a good reputation in your area? If you have heard stories of slow pay or difficult relationships, think twice before putting together a bid. A bad client can turn a good job into a nightmare.
The second step is to look at the scope of the work. Is this a job you can realistically handle with your crew, your equipment, and your schedule? If it will stretch your resources too thin, you may do more harm than good by taking it on. Overcommitting leads to missed deadlines and unhappy clients.
The third step is to check the numbers. Can you make a real profit on this job? Many contractors jump into a bid without thinking about hidden costs like fuel, transportation, or overtime pay. By the time the job is done, they realize they worked for free.
The fourth step is to ask yourself if the job fits your long-term goals. Maybe the profit looks good, but the type of work does not fit the direction you want your company to go. Every job you take shapes your reputation. If you want to grow in a certain area, focus on bids that move you closer to that goal.
Tools like ProfitDig help with this decision. When you put together a bid in ProfitDig, you can see the full breakdown of costs before you commit. This makes it easy to spot jobs that are worth the effort and to walk away from the ones that are not.
The truth is, you do not need every job. You just need the right jobs. Jobs that fit your crew, pay well, and move your business forward. Learning to say no is a skill that will save you time, money, and stress.
Do not waste your energy on bad bids. Be smart. Focus on the jobs that pay off, and use tools like ProfitDig to give you the confidence to choose wisely.