Contractor Success Forum

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On The Contractor Success Forum Three long-term industry professionals discuss financial strategies for running a more profitable, successful construction business.

11/13/2025

Strategic move alert: General contractors are acquiring subcontractors to boost profitability.

More info: https://dub.sh/8cjxWal

The playbook? Start with drywall, expand to concrete, then HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. The reason is simple - subcontractor margins typically exceed GC margins.

It's about capturing more value while controlling quality and pricing.

11/13/2025

A $100M construction company was nearly destroyed when one person left, taking 28 state licenses with them.

[Full video: https://dub.sh/lTvMqbv]

This shows how valuable 'invisible assets' really are in construction. Your state licenses, minority/women/veteran certifications, bonding capacity, and insurance ratings often matter more than equipment when it comes to landing projects.

These hidden assets determine which doors open and which stay closed. Smart contractors protect and invest in these advantages.

11/12/2025

Here's the conversation nobody has before selling their construction company:

"What happens to the accounting after I'm gone?"

You're ready to sell. Maybe to your employees through an ESOP, or to a private equity firm with cash in hand. The deal closes, and suddenly someone needs to figure out how to actually run the back office.

That's where we come in.

We stay on as the outsourced back office after the deal closes. We give investors the clean job-cost reports and cash flow visibility they need — usually at a lower fixed cost than hiring someone in-house.

Because sustaining value after the sale? That's where most transitions succeed or fail.
In our newest podcast episode, I break down what it actually looks like after you put the whole deal together. Join the conversation in the comments.

11/12/2025

When investors want to buy your construction company, they start with a 3-5x EBITDA multiple. But what determines if you get 3x or 5x?

It's not just about revenue. Your profit margins, operational systems, client retention, and growth potential all impact where you land in that valuation range.

Smart construction business owners don't just build for today - they build for maximum value every single day.

Understanding these valuation drivers isn't just about exit planning. It's about making better business decisions that create lasting value.

Get the full episode: https://dub.sh/FHreTVN

11/12/2025

Contractors love hammers 🔨 Private equity loves spreadsheets 📊

When these two worlds collide... somebody's gonna get nailed! 😅

Watch the full episode: https://dub.sh/vb1ZJsi

We're diving deep into why investors are buying up construction companies and what happens when accountants show up with their fancy dashboards and acronyms.

Spoiler alert: It's not always pretty, but it's definitely changing our industry! 🏗️

Here's the reality: Your estimators might be excellent, but they can't read your mind about the questions you forgot to ...
11/10/2025

Here's the reality: Your estimators might be excellent, but they can't read your mind about the questions you forgot to ask.

As the business owner, when that bid gets submitted, the responsibility is yours. That's exactly why every bid needs a second set of eyes before it goes out. It's not about lacking trust in your team - it's about creating a system that catches the human errors we all make.

This simple practice has saved countless contractors from costly mistakes.

Find out more: https://dub.sh/umrJ1Lt

11/08/2025

Bid day disasters can sink your construction business before you even break ground.

Here's Stephen's proven checklist to protect your projects:
✅ Establish final file names and control numbers
✅ Ensure team sign-off on latest addendums
✅ Verify ALL submissions thoroughly
✅ Review scope details with every sub
✅ Have a second person cross-check everything
✅ If numbers seem too low - RECHECK

These simple steps can save you from costly mistakes and project nightmares.

The extra time spent on bid day preparation pays dividends throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Hear more: https://dub.sh/FxdK4CP

11/07/2025

One copy-paste mistake cost this contractor $380,000.

The estimator reused an old spreadsheet without updating material prices that had jumped 25%. When the supplier refused to honor the outdated quote, the project was massively underbid.

This expensive lesson shows why verification checkpoints are essential in every estimation process. Always confirm current pricing before submitting bids.

Your shortcuts could cost you everything.

Join the conversation: https://dub.sh/uUanAnP

Every contractor's worst nightmare: You win the bid, then your subcontractor pulls out the next morning.[Here's how to p...
11/07/2025

Every contractor's worst nightmare: You win the bid, then your subcontractor pulls out the next morning.

[Here's how to prevent it: https://youtu.be/xSFAdkaCZMU]

Suddenly you're stuck with a backup sub who's 40% more expensive. This isn't an estimating error - it's a harsh business reality you have to absorb.

The brutal truth: There's no limit to how much you can lose on a construction job, but your profit potential is always capped.

This is exactly why building strong, reliable relationships with your subcontractors isn't just smart business - it's survival.

11/05/2025

38% bid spread = $4 MILLION mistake 😱

Here's what went wrong:
✅ Incumbent bid 6x engineer's estimate
✅ Excel spreadsheet glitch
✅ ALL estimators out of town during bid week

Sometimes Murphy's Law hits HARD in construction 🚧

The lesson? Always have backup systems and backup people! 💪

Learn more on our latest episode: https://dub.sh/SjCaIuI

11/04/2025

POV: It's 2 minutes to bid deadline and you find a $1.2M error 😱💀

Watch the full episode: https://dub.sh/dUHRL26

Forget horror movies - nothing's scarier than realizing your spreadsheet is wrong when it's too late to fix it! 📊💸

These bid day nightmares are REAL and they happen more than you think. Time to triple-check those formulas! ✅🔍

Tag a contractor friend who needs to hear this 👇

Smart contractors don't make emotional financial decisions in December.How are you setting yourself up for success in 20...
10/31/2025

Smart contractors don't make emotional financial decisions in December.

How are you setting yourself up for success in 2026? Join the conversation: https://dub.sh/vsLPvJ9

They set guardrails in advance:
→ Plan Christmas bonuses early
→ Fund commitments before pressure hits
→ Document decision processes for multiple owners
→ Communicate honestly with teams when budgets are tight

Your business depends on disciplined financial planning, not end-of-year emotions.

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