5 Steps to Build a Better Bid
Ask any cost estimator. Estimating is perfected through experience, practice, and intuition. They’ll also say estimators must doggedly pursue missing project details before finalizing their bid. Estimating can often feel like a high-stakes video game where you’re trying to avoid “Game Over” before your bid deadline. Whether leaning on subcontractors or digging for emails in […]
8 Common Construction Estimating Mistakes
Estimating is one of the most difficult jobs in construction. It is also one of the most important. Profits are typically won or lost based on how accurate your estimates are and how closely they match up to your final project costs. So, how accurate are your estimates? According to a survey from QuickBooks […]
How to Make Every Construction Project More Profitable
Let’s face it, the ebb and flow of construction work mean that projects will overlap and intersect. Crews and equipment will—at times—be spread thin. On the one hand, it’s the nature of the beast. On the other hand, it’s not always smart to view each project as separate—especially if your project backlog is shrinking In […]
How to Build Stronger Sub-GC Relationships
It’s been a long, hot summer for anyone in construction. In July, the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 7.8 months—a full month lower than in July 2019. In addition, 47% of construction leaders reported they expect to see shrinking profits in the next six months. In these uncertain […]
Bid and Win More Construction Projects
In the wake of COVID-19, all efficiencies that can be gained—from the takeoff process through the project build-out—begins with a high-quality bid. Your bid should be built on the accuracy and timeliness of your company’s takeoff and estimation process. As trades become more specialized, complex, and precise, construction pros must work hard to reduce waste […]
Leaning on Cloud Technology in Tough Times
No doubt, the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing how many construction pros get work done. For an industry built on handshakes and one-on-one conversations, the concept of social distancing may be hard to comprehend. For many, the new normal may involve carving out a workspace on the kitchen table. Your daily worries may revolve […]
How to Recruit Generation Z in Hot Construction Market
Wow. There appears to be no relief in sight for contractors trying to find qualified construction workers. Call it a “nice to have problem” if you like—but the struggle is real. With a record low unemployment rate, most construction firms are worried about where to find the next generation of workers. In some parts of […]
Why Contractors Should Invest in Integrated Tools
Whether your construction business is focused on roofing or concrete, your bidding process may involve lots of moving parts. While you may already be using a digital takeoff tool to eliminate paper blueprints, your estimating workflow may still include a mixed bag of supplier and vendor spreadsheets. Inevitably, this can make bid day a mad scramble—especially […]
Navigating the Ever-Tightening Labor Crunch
It’s been a long, hot, busy summer for most everyone in the construction industry. If you’ve had a moment to catch your breath, you’ve probably noticed backlogs are still running nearly nine months and demand for all types of construction workers—from hourly craft jobs to emerging roles like construction technologists—has held steady. Officially, the U.S. […]
Let Project Express Rescue Your In-Box
For many estimators, the days of working with full-size plans and a single digitizer are a thing of the past. Today, they no longer check for faxes from subcontractors or distribute multiple sets of printed plans to complete a final bid. Instead of taking weeks to complete a bid, they can now do it in […]