Strategies for building a successful construction company, as well as construction industry news and commentary. Topics will include creating winning job bids, maximizing profitability, job costing, marketing strategies, our thoughts about industry trends and more.
Thinking about starting your own construction business?
Before you start worrying about finding your first client... you need to make sure you're actually ready.
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, the guys break down:
• How to build relationships with General Contractors
• Why platforms like BuildingConnected matter
• How bid invite systems can help you get discovered
• Why networking should start before you go out on your own
• The importance of management experience (not just field experience)
• Why you need capital, and how much
• Why so many new construction businesses fail in the first year
The truth is this:
Being great in the field doesn’t automatically make you ready to run a company.
You need connections.
You need cash flow.
You need to understand bidding, payroll, overhead, and project management.
And ideally... you need your “rolodex” filled before you ever hang your own sign.
Construction is booming. The trades are in high demand. But starting smart is the difference between building something sustainable and digging yourself into debt.
If you’re a contractor looking for a simple, powerful way to handle bidding and job costing, check out ProfitDig. https://profitdig.com
Starting at $149/month. Priced for reality.
Like the video. Subscribe to the channel. And tell us - are you thinking about going out on your own?
AI is everywhere.
From ChatGPT and Gemini to Copilot and Claude... artificial intelligence is being built into nearly every tool we use.
But here’s the real question:
Should contractors be worried?
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, the guys sit down and talk through:
• Why AI feels intimidating
• The difference between chatbots and large language models
• Real-world ways AI can improve productivity
• Where AI still falls short (and completely makes stuff up)
• Why “experiment and verify” is the smartest approach
• Whether AI will actually replace construction professionals
Here’s the truth: AI is a tool. A powerful one. But it’s not magic. It can speed up workflows, tighten presentations, analyze spreadsheets, and generate ideas, but it still needs an expert behind the wheel.
The contractors who learn to use AI as an accelerator will outperform the ones who ignore it.
The ones who try to hand it the keys completely? They’ll be disappointed.
Experiment. Verify. Evolve.
If you're in construction and want tools built for real-world contractors - not enterprise companies with massive budgets - check out ProfitDig. @ Starting at $149/month. Priced for reality.
Like the video. Subscribe to the channel. And tell us: are you using AI yet?
What is a construction takeoff - and why does it matter so much before you submit a bid?
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff and Jeff break down the fundamentals of project takeoff. If you're bidding work without fully understanding your quantities, you’re guessing... and guessing is expensive.
Here’s what we cover:
• The difference between an estimate and a true blueprint takeoff
• Why visiting the jobsite can make or break your bid
• What “quantities” actually mean (dirt, pipe, stone, erosion control, structures and more)
• Where contractors really win or lose projects
• Old school hand takeoff vs modern takeoff software
• How digital tools can speed up the process without costing a fortune
The reality? Most competitive bids are within 1-2% on materials. The difference comes down to labor, equipment, and production rates. That’s where real profit is made... or lost.
If you're an up-and-coming contractor trying to compete with larger companies, understanding takeoff is non-negotiable.
Got questions about takeoff? Drop them in the comments.
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable way to bid and track your projects, check out ProfitDig - priced for reality at just $149/month. www.profitdig.com
Like the video. Subscribe to the channel. And let us know what topic you want us to tackle next.
When most people hear the word “lobbyist,” they think corruption, backroom deals, and politics gone wrong.
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, we talk with Scott Miller from the Dixon Water Authority about what lobbyists actually do for utilities and why they matter more than most people realize.
This conversation pulls back the curtain on how local utilities navigate regulations, legislation, and government oversight at the state and national level. It also explains why someone has to be paying attention when new bills are introduced that sound good on paper but could cause serious problems in the real world.
We cover:
How local water authorities are structured and governed
Why utilities hire lobbyists in the first place
The role of state associations in protecting utilities
How proposed laws can unintentionally create real-world risks
Why compromise matters when legislation affects infrastructure
How water systems are regulated and why that matters to everyone
What it really takes to deliver clean, reliable water
If you work in construction, utilities, or any regulated industry, this episode gives valuable insight into how decisions get made above the jobsite and how those decisions affect your work long before you ever hear about them.
ProfitDig helps contractors bid smarter, track job costs, and build systems that hold up under pressure. It’s priced for reality and built for people who actually do the work.
Learn more at https://ProfitDig.com
Dealing with customers is part of the job. Most of them are great. Some of them are not.
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, we talk honestly about what it’s like to deal with customers in the real world, from appreciative homeowners who bring food to the crew, to the ones who skip calling you and go straight to complaints, social media, or the news.
This is not about bashing customers. It’s about setting boundaries, having policies, and understanding when helping turns into enabling bad behavior.
We cover:
Why most customer issues come from miscommunication
The difference between feedback and being unreasonable
When it’s OK to say “this may not be the right fit”
Why policies exist and why you can’t always bend them
Real examples from public utilities and service work
How better systems reduce customer conflict
Why calling first usually solves the problem faster than complaining publicly
If you work in construction or any service business, you’ve been here before. This conversation is about staying professional, protecting your team, and not letting a few difficult customers wreck your mindset or your business.
ProfitDig is built to help contractors stay organized, bid accurately, and track job costs so small problems don’t turn into big ones. It’s priced for reality and built for contractors who actually do the work.
Learn more about how to grow and manage your construction business with ProfitDig: www.profitdig.com
Growth sounds great… until you realize what it might actually cost you.
In this ProfitDig Live episode, the guys break down real-world risk analysis for construction companies - what it is, why it matters, and how it can save your business from making a very expensive mistake.
You’ll learn:
What risk analysis really means in construction
When to outsource it (and when you can do it yourself)
How market cycles affect your long-term decisions
How risk analysis helps you evaluate big projects outside your comfort zone
Why the process itself will expose problems you didn’t even know you had
How to avoid taking on work that could sink your company
If you're thinking about growing, taking on bigger work, adding crews, or making long-term moves, this one’s for you.
Try ProfitDig Risk-Free
ProfitDig is the easiest job bidding and costing software for small and growing contractors.
✔ No contract
✔ Cancel anytime
✔ Built for real-world construction
Start bidding like a pro: https://profitdig.com
Rain can shut a site down fast - muddy ground, unsafe conditions, blown timelines. Jeff breaks down how real contractors keep crews productive, protect their budgets, and avoid getting hammered with liquidated damages.
From prefab work under tents to smart job selection to documenting every weather delay (and getting signatures to back it up), this is how you survive the wet season without blowing your margins.
If you want tighter records, cleaner reporting, and a bidding tool that keeps your numbers straight even in the messy seasons, check out ProfitDig. No contract. Risk-free. 30-day money-back guarantee.
https://ProfitDig.com
When work gets thin, a lot of contractors panic and chop 10–15% straight off the bottom of a bid. Jeff explains why that’s a fast way to wreck your margins - and what you should do instead.
Learn how to tighten production, protect your hard costs, and stay competitive without blowing your budget or damaging supplier relationships. Contractors who survive slow seasons don’t get lucky… they get strategic.
If you want a tool that helps you run the numbers, compare scenarios, and keep your bids tight and accurate, ProfitDig’s got your back.
No contract. Risk-free. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Try it at https://profitdig.com
Material prices swing like crazy. Pipe, fuel, hydrants - you name it. Jeff breaks down a simple move that can save you serious money when the market gets volatile: stockpiling the right materials at the right time.
Build relationships with your suppliers, watch your quotes, and don’t get caught bidding with outdated prices.
ProfitDig helps you keep every material price fresh with automatic reminders tied to your vendor quote terms. Bid smarter. Protect your margins.
Try ProfitDig risk-free today at https://profitdig.com
The world is changing fast - and so is the way we power it. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Givens and Jeff Spencer dive into how electrical systems really work - from transformers and AC/DC current to solar power, batteries, and electric vehicles - and what all this means for construction contractors.
They discuss:
How transformers and inverters actually manage the power you use
Why the rise of electric vehicles and solar means more opportunities for contractors
How data centers and power grids are driving massive infrastructure projects
What contractors need to know about the coming demand for EV charging stations and renewable installs
Electricity powers everything - and if you’re in construction, it’s time to start thinking about how that affects your business.
Learn more about how to grow and manage your construction business with ProfitDig: www.profitdig.com
If your projects keep coming in under your profit goal, it’s time to take a hard look at how you estimate, track, and manage your jobs. In this ProfitDig Live episode, Jeff Givens and Jeff Spencer break down real-world ways to protect your profit margin - from setting realistic production goals to rewarding crews who hit them.
Learn how to:
Keep your team focused on the true budget number
Use ProfitDig’s tools to track progress and costs in real time
Motivate your field crews with incentives that actually work
Adjust your estimating process when jobs fall short
Build a culture of accountability and ownership
Too many contractors think a “smaller profit” still means success - but losing even 1% means you missed your target. This conversation will help you tighten your process and make sure every job you win actually pays what it should.
Join today and save big! Take 90% off your first three months at www.profitdig.com using code BF90.
Google’s new AI overviews are changing how people find businesses online, and that includes construction contractors. In this ProfitDig Live, Jerry and Chris break down how you can keep your company visible:
Use blogging and local content to show up in AI results
Keep your Google Business Profile accurate and active
Update old directory listings with the right info
Use AI tools to help research and organize your online presence
These are simple steps, but most contractors aren’t doing them - meaning you’ll stand out if you do.
👉 Learn more about the world’s easiest construction bidding and job costing software: https://profitdig.com/
Think marketing is too complicated or expensive? Think again. In this ProfitDig Live, Jerry and Chris talk about Marketing by Walking Around - a simple way contractors can grow their brand with nothing more than a phone. From taking daily photos on the job to posting consistently on social media, this strategy helps you stay visible, win trust, and attract more work. They also cover time-saving tools, posting tips, and how even a few boosted posts can expand your reach.
Learn more about the world’s easiest construction bidding and job costing software: www.profitdig.com
Got a customer asking for extra work while you’re standing on the job site? Don’t just dive in and hope for the best. In this ProfitDig Live, Jeff and Chris break down how to protect yourself with fast, legal agreements - even from your phone. From emails that hold up in court to quick paper sign-offs with witnesses, here’s how to make sure you get paid for every change order.
Learn more about the world’s easiest construction bidding and job costing software: www.profitdig.com . Use code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months!
Can you really go from shoveling dirt to running your own construction business in just a few years? In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Givens and Jeff Spencer talk about the real path from entry-level laborer to project manager - and eventually business owner.
We cover:
✅ Why excelling at every stage matters
✅ The importance of learning bids, project management, and profit margins
✅ How to avoid going broke on your first job
✅ Why using affordable tools like ProfitDig makes all the difference
Whether you’re dreaming about starting your own company or already building your path, this conversation will give you both motivation and practical steps to get there.
From www.profitdig.com - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Use code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months! Just $99/month—until Jerry decides it’s time to raise the price.
Running a job is tough enough - don’t make it harder by ignoring the simple stuff. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Spencer and Jeff Givens swap practical hacks for project managers, from smart material placement and mobilization strategies to negotiating better supplier deals and hiring crews you can trust.
If you’re a project manager or contractor looking for ways to save time, cut costs, and protect your reputation, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation.
Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com and use our promo code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months!
Ever been stuck on a job where the design looks good on paper - but falls apart in the dirt? In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Spencer, Jeff Givens, and Jerry Work break down why communication between engineers and field crews is critical. We talk real-world examples of drawings that don’t match conditions, why younger engineers struggle with field feedback, and how site visits can save time and money.
Whether you’re an engineer, contractor, or project manager, this conversation will hit home.
Learn more at www.profitdig.com - easy construction bidding & costing, priced for reality.
If you've ever searched for construction bidding software, you’ve seen it:
“FREE job costing software!”
Spoiler alert - it’s not free. It’s barely affordable.
In this ProfitDig Live episode, Jeff, Chris, and Producer Jerry break down the shady tactics used by legacy software companies:
- Hidden module pricing
- Confusing quotes and sales hoops
- “Free” software that ends up costing double
- Desktop installs... in 2025!?
ProfitDig is different. One price. No contracts. No modules. No games.
Whether you’re a one-man crew or growing a team, ProfitDig was built for contractors who need real tools at a real price - not bloated enterprise junk with a 90-minute sales call.
Visit https://profitdig.com - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. No contract, cancel any time.
Use promo code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months
Also… shoutout to our unofficial sponsor: CatsOnCaps.shop
Contractors - when’s the last time you double-checked your material pricing?
In this ProfitDig Live episode, Chris and Jeff walk through one of the most overlooked (but critical) parts of bidding: keeping your material costs accurate and updated. You’ll learn how ProfitDig’s material tracking and price verification system helps you avoid outdated pricing, stay profitable, and make smarter bidding decisions.
✅ Add custom materials
✅ Track supplier pricing
✅ Get reminders when it’s time to reverify
✅ Keep your team aligned across every bid
Plus, it’s all part of the new and improved Version 3.0 — faster, smoother, and still priced for reality.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Visit https://ProfitDig.com now. Use promo code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months.
Tired of wasting time adding the same materials to every bid?
In this ProfitDig Live episode, Chris Work and Jeff Givens show off the blazing-fast Material Groups feature in the newly updated ProfitDig platform. Learn how to save time by grouping commonly used materials for repeat tasks - perfect for contractors who regularly bid similar jobs.
Whether you're estimating water lines, sewer lines, or anything in between, Material Groups will streamline your bid process and keep your profit margins tight. No dongles. No BS. Just fast, smart bidding software priced for reality.
ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Sign up at www.profitdig.com
Grab a beer, pull up a chair - this one goes deep.
In this unfiltered episode of ProfitDig Live, Jerry, Chris, and Jeff sit down to talk about real-world marketing strategies for construction pros. From AI content creation to SEO, YouTube, Performance Max ads, and daily Google Business updates, nothing is off the table.
Topics covered include:
If you're a small contractor trying to get more visibility and land more jobs, this is 100% worth your time.
From www.profitdig.com - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
Use code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months!Just $99/month—until Jerry decides it’s time to raise the price.
Need to send out multiple bids or tweak numbers for different GCs?
Don't start from scratch. Just hit "Clone."
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jerry, Chris, and Jeff walk through one of the handiest tools in the ProfitDig construction bidding software: Bid Cloning. Whether you're adjusting pricing, testing different strategies, or sending bids to multiple general contractors, this feature will save you a ton of time.
Highlights:
Clone an entire bid in under 2 seconds
Quickly adjust bond, overhead, and profit percentages
Send customized versions to different clients
No risk of retyping errors or missing line items
Visit https://profitdig.com to learn more. Use code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months!
Ever wonder how to really understand what's inside a construction bid line item?
Chris and Jeff from ProfitDig walk through a powerful (and newly updated) feature inside the ProfitDig app - Line Item Type Breakdown. This tool lets contractors drill down into the nitty-gritty of each line item: materials, labor, equipment, subs, contingencies, and more.
✔️ See how taxes, bond rates, and overhead affect your costs
✔️ Learn how our advanced breakdown improves bid accuracy
✔️ Get full transparency with built-in formula explanations
✔️ BONUS: What exactly is the cornbread icon?
If you're tired of messy spreadsheets and risky manual calculations, ProfitDig is priced for reality and built to help small contractors win more work.
Start your journey at www.profitdig.com
Special offer: Use code V3LAUNCH for 50% off your first 3 months!
Jeff Spencer explains why maintaining a daily job diary is extermely important, not just for staying organized and on-track, but for possible legal purposes. If bed weather prevents you from making progress on a job, you need to make sure that information is documented. The guys also discuss the upcoming daily diary feature that is being developed for ProfitDig.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
Visit https://ProfitDig.com now.
Equipment breakdowns are expensive - and totally avoidable. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Givens, Jeff Spencer, and Chris Work talk about smart ways to track and plan maintenance for your construction equipment so you don’t get hit with surprise costs or unexpected downtime. Whether it’s earthmovers, pickups, or excavators, your gear is one of your biggest investments - take care of it and build those costs into your bids the right way.
Also: we’re still waiting on that call from Coors Light.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
Visit https://ProfitDig.com now.
Just starting out as a contractor? Winning jobs is great - but if your bid isn’t airtight, you could lose your shirt after the job starts. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Chris Work, Jeff Spencer, and Jerry Work break down exactly how to build a solid bid proposal that wins work and keeps you out of trouble.
What you’ll learn:
How to bid strategically (not just competitively)
What to include - and more importantly, what to exclude
How to handle unknowns like rock excavation
Why exclusions, notes, and scope letters are your best defense
Tips for dealing with change orders, overlapping trades, and material quote windows
Don’t just hope for the best - learn how to cover your butt from day one.
ProfitDig makes it easy to create professional bids and track job costs. Try it out at www.profitdig.com
Drop a comment and let us know your biggest bidding lesson so far.
Like, subscribe, and share with your crew.
Thinking about buying your first piece of heavy equipment? Tired of getting crushed by high prices? In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Chris Work and Jeff Spencer break down real-world tactics for negotiating better deals on bulldozers, excavators, and other construction equipment. This video is NOT sponsored by @MillerLite as they have not yet sent us a case of beer.
Learn how to:
Get multiple quotes and use them as leverage
Compare options like a pro (specs, service deals, and hidden costs)
Build relationships with dealers and sales reps that pay off long-term
Avoid common rookie mistakes that kill your bargaining power
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade from rentals, this is the contractor advice you need before dropping big money on gear.
ProfitDig helps contractors bid jobs and track costs with ease. Try it out: https://profitdig.com
Drop your biggest negotiation win (or fail) in the comments below! Like & subscribe for more contractor tips.
Sometimes the best conversations come from just hitting record. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, the crew gets together for an off-the-cuff conversation about gear, tech frustrations, growing older, and staying humble in your work and life.
From USB adapters and laptops for CAD software…
To three-wheelers, internet fiber, spicy site visits, and old-school mentorship…
We cover a lot of ground, but it all circles back to one thing: community.
What to expect:
The value of reconnecting with peers
Choosing the right tools for your craft
Tech problems that never die
Why asking the “right” question matters
Staying humble and always learning
And a whole lot of laughs in between
No filters, no script - just real people, real talk.
From ProfitDig – easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. @
ProfitDig Live takes a strange and fascinating detour through the world of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) design with Phillip Greer, an experienced HVAC designer who shares stories from engineering site visits - including one involving a meat plant, an ice cream company, and a very unexpected video shoot.
We talk about:
What MEP engineers actually do
Working with municipalities and treatment plants
Designing HVAC systems for complex, functional spaces
The realities of site visits in abandoned buildings
The shift from CAD to Revit
Dummy thermostats and building management tricks
And the eternal struggle of ductwork vs. everything else
This one's got laughs, insights, and just the right amount of chaos.
Learn more about ProfitDig www.profitdig.com
Contractors! If you're still using spreadsheets to bid jobs, it’s time to upgrade.
Like, comment, and subscribe to follow more real talk from real industry pros.
Seth O. Williams joins the ProfitDig Live crew for a deep dive into the world of professional concert lighting—from arena shows and Red Rocks to teaching middle schoolers the ropes.
Learn what it takes to tour with major artists like the Goo Goo Dolls, how lighting rigs are built and programmed, and why attitude and work ethic matter more than anything when you’re living life on a tour bus.
Topics Covered:
What a lighting “rig” actually is
DMX, ArtNet, and lighting protocols explained
Wireless lighting control via iPad
Augmented reality in live event tech
Touring crew structure and planning
How Seth balances pro work and youth education
Life on the road with major touring acts
Learn more about us at www.profitdig.com
If you're a contractor, ProfitDig makes job bidding and costing easy.
Whether you're trying to win your first job or fill a hole in your schedule, negotiating a construction bid is a delicate game. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, the crew dives deep into smart (and not-so-smart) negotiation tactics contractors can use to win jobs without giving away all their profit.
💬 We cover:
✔️ When (and how) to negotiate your price
✔️ How to talk to GCs about being “a little high” on your bid
✔️ What to say without sounding desperate
✔️ The importance of building in a CYA buffer
✔️ Why relationships with suppliers matter during negotiations
✔️ When a GC reaches out to you for cuts - and how to handle it
You’ll also hear real-life examples from the ProfitDig team about how negotiation has saved jobs… and how it can go wrong if you’re not careful.
🛠 ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
💻 Try it out at https://ProfitDig.com - unlimited jobs, just $99/month.
Just wrapped up a job? Don’t move on so fast. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Chris Work and Jeff Spencer talk about why it’s important to look back at completed projects—even the profitable ones—and figure out what actually went right (or wrong).
💡 You’ll learn:
✔️ Why reviewing hours and costs is key to improving your estimating skills
✔️ How to use tools like ProfitDig to break down your numbers by crew, equipment, materials, and more
✔️ How a simple typo can wreck your margins
✔️ What a “filler crew” is—and how it can save you time and money
✔️ Why constantly swapping crews can kill both productivity and your data
Whether you're using software or tracking with pen and paper, do something to learn from each job. Your future profits depend on it.
🛠 From ProfitDig – easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
💻 Try it out at https://ProfitDig.com – unlimited projects for just $99/month.
New to construction? Or still struggling with profit margins after years in business? You're not alone. In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Chris Work sits down with Jeff Spencer and Jeff Givens to talk about one of the most common - and costly - mistakes contractors make: confusing their total bid with their actual working budget.
✅ Learn why your bid amount is NOT your budget
✅ The difference between markup, profit, and raw costs
✅ How to build a budget that protects your margins
✅ Why qualifying your bid can keep you out of legal trouble
✅ How to deal with weather delays, faux crews, and more
This episode is packed with real-world advice to help you stop bleeding cash and start bidding smarter. Whether you're just getting started or you've been in the game a while, you'll find something valuable here.
From the creators of ProfitDig – easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Visit https://ProfitDig.com now.
Drop your questions in the comments - we’d love to help.
Where do you go to get experience… when you don’t have any?
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, we respond to a great viewer question: How does someone with no job experience—like a new engineer—get started in the construction industry?
We break it down with real-world advice on internships, co-ops, field experience, and why working your way up matters more than just your degree. If you're in school or just starting your career, this is a must-watch.
👉 Learn more about ProfitDig—the easiest construction bidding and costing software around: @
Trying to break into the construction industry as a new sub or startup contractor? In this episode of ProfitDig Live, we answer a viewer’s question: Where can I find GCs or architects who’ll give me a shot as a new guy?
Jeff Spencer and the crew lay it all out—from how to build relationships on the job site, to walking into GC offices, to why your business card should have a QR code with your past work.
If you’re a startup contractor or a solo operator trying to get your first jobs, this one’s packed with street-smart tips that actually work.
👉 Learn more about the world’s easiest-to-use construction bidding & costing tool: @
From ProfitDig – for contractors who are making it happen.
How do you lead a crew that’s older and more experienced than you? In this episode of the ProfitDig Live Show, Jeff Spencer shares a raw, real story about becoming a foreman at 23—managing guys who’d been in the game longer than he’d been alive.
It wasn’t easy. It involved nerves, pushback, lost sleep—and firing a longtime team member to keep the crew on track.
If you're a young contractor or new to leadership in the field, this one’s for you.
Got a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments—we might feature it in a future episode!
👉 Check out the world's easiest construction bidding & costing tool: @
From ProfitDig – real talk for real contractors.
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jerry Work, Chris Work, and Jeff Givens discuss why having a clear, memorable mission statement is one of the most powerful things you can do for your business. Whether you're just starting out or managing a growing team, your mission isn't just a line on a website—it's the compass that guides your entire operation.
Learn how a simple purpose can improve team morale, attract loyal customers, and keep your business on track—especially in the fast-moving world of construction.
👍 Like the video and subscribe for more business insights
🔔 Hit the bell to stay updated
👉 Visit ProfitDig.com for the easiest-to-use job bidding and costing tool for contractors
In this heartfelt episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Givens and Chris Work discuss a real-world situation involving an employee whose personal life began to affect his performance. Jeff shares how he approached the issue with empathy, honesty, and a practical solution that helped the employee rebound—without sacrificing the needs of the business.
If you're a business owner or manager wondering how to handle similar situations, this is a must-watch. Learn how to lead with compassion and accountability.
👍 Like, subscribe, and share
🔔 Hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes
👉 Learn more at ProfitDig.com
In this episode of ProfitDig Live, Jeff Givens and Chris Work dive into the topic of pleasanteeism—when employees prioritize being agreeable over being honest, even if it means letting projects fail. Whether you’re running a construction crew or managing a growing business, this behavior can be a hidden productivity killer. Learn what causes it, how to spot it, and what you can do as a leader to create a culture of honesty and accountability.
🔔 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on all things construction business and leadership.
👉 Visit ProfitDig.com to learn more about our easy-to-use construction bidding and costing solution.
In this episode of ProfitDig, Chris Work and Jeff Spencer sit down with Scott Miller, CEO of Dickson Water Authority, to discuss practical ways homeowners can reduce water usage and detect hidden leaks before they become costly problems.
💧 Key Topics Covered:
🔹 Water-Saving Appliances & Fixtures – The best ways to cut down on water consumption in your home.
🔹 Tracking Your Water Usage – Why calling your local water authority can help if your bill seems too high. Many utilities, like Dickson Water Authority, can run profiles and store up to 45 days of water usage to pinpoint potential leaks or inefficiencies.
🔹 Understanding Water Bill Adjustments – Learn about generous leak adjustment policies, like the one in Dickson County that allows a bill adjustment once per year if you have a concealed leak of 15,000 gallons or more.
🔹 Why You Should Contact Your Local Water Authority – Policies vary by location, so reaching out to your water provider can help you understand your area's specific leak adjustments and conservation incentives.
If your water bill seems unusually high, don’t wait—contact your local water authority to investigate potential leaks and find ways to save!
🔔 Like & Subscribe for more expert discussions on construction, utilities, and home management!
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for #construction contractors. Visit https://www.ProfitDig.com to get started.
In this episode of ProfitDig, Jeff Givens (Engineer), Jeff Spencer (Project Manager in Underground Utilities), and Scott Miller (CEO of Dickson Water Authority) discuss the technology, security, and challenges of managing a modern water system.
💧 Key Topics Covered:
🔹 Water System Cybersecurity – Why treatment facilities use air-gapped networks to prevent hackers from accessing operating software.
🔹 SCADA Monitoring & Remote Access – How the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system allows water authorities to monitor and control tank sites and pump stations remotely.
🔹 Smart Metering Technology – The role of AMR and AMI meters in tracking water usage through a cell-based “beacon” system.
🔹 How Fire Hydrants Affect Water Pressure – A deep dive into hydrant water flow, color-coded classifications, and why rural areas require special considerations for fire suppression.
🔹 Fire Hydrant Testing & Rural Challenges – Why accurate flow tests are difficult in rural areas and how fire trucks supplement water supply when hydrants are far apart.
From protecting critical infrastructure to ensuring fire safety in rural areas, this discussion is packed with valuable insights for engineers, contractors, and anyone interested in water management and underground utilities.
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In this episode of ProfitDig Live, we sit down with Scott Miller, the newly appointed CEO of Dickson Water Authority, to discuss how the organization operates, the challenges of managing a water system, and the innovative technology improving efficiency.
Key Topics Covered:
💧 Building a Strong Team – All leadership hires were made in-house, ensuring employees with deep institutional knowledge are running the show.
💧 Water System Management – Learn how the county’s 6 million gallons per day serve over 21,000 customers, with water sourced from the Cumberland River and beyond.
💧 Infrastructure & Leak Detection – With some pipes dating back to the 1930s, the water authority employs full-time staff dedicated to finding and fixing leaks.
💧 New Technology in Water Management – AMR (Automated Meter Reading) and AMI (Automated Meter Intelligence) are revolutionizing efficiency, customer service, and leak detection.
💧 Water Loss & Conservation – Discover why an unaccounted water loss of under 20% is actually impressive, and how pressure changes at night impact leaks.
Scott provides an inside look at what it takes to keep water flowing, the importance of smart hiring, and how technology is shaping the future of utility management.
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From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for #construction contractors. Visit https://www.ProfitDig.com now to sign up.
One small error can cost you big, which is why you must read every page of any drawings given to you during the job bidding process. You may bid a job 3 or 4 times before you get drawings complete enough to offer a hard bid. There may be architectural, civil, electrical, plumbing and various other drawings. You need to look through every single page to make sure you are accurate in the scope of work you are bidding.
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Change orders are a crucial part of construction contracts, but do you know how they work? In this episode of ProfitDig Live, professional construction Project Manager, Jeff Spencer, breaks down what a change order is, when you need one, and how to handle them the right way. Whether you're adding work, removing scope, or dealing with unexpected site conditions, understanding change orders will help you protect your bottom line. Learn the process, avoid common pitfalls, and make sure you get paid for the work you do!
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What happens when bad weather slows down your job site? 🏗️❄️ In this ProfitDig Power Tip, Chris Work and Jeff Spencer break down what new contractors need to know when weather delays hit. From checking your contract for allocated weather days to handling change orders before you get hit with liquidated damages, we've got you covered.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Always review your contract for designated weather delay days
✔️ Communicate with the GC or project manager if you’re nearing your limit
✔️ Stay ahead of liquidated damages with timely change orders
Don’t let a little snow shut down your business! Check those contracts and stay ahead of the game.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Visit https://www.ProfitDig.com now.
In this discussion, based on Chapter15 of our book, Digging for Profit: Secrets to Success in the Construction Industry, the guys talk about what size projects you should pursue for your business, which is based on many factors.
Another helpful video from ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
The guys talk about what they expect for the economy and the construction industry now that Trump has won the presidency.
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The ProfitDig guys talk about how to have a successful career in construction. Construction can provide a great life for you and your family, but it can also bury you if you make the wrong mistakes. You career will begin by working for another contractor, where you will get paid to learn. If you are a hard worker, you will have an advantage right from the start. Make sure you leave a good impression wherever you go and whatever work you do. Also be aware that you need multiple years of hands-on experience in the field before you will be ready to go out on your own. You must have a willingness to work and a willingness to learn. Go above and beyond what you are asked to do. You can progress your career from labor to skilled labor to foreman to supervisor to project manager if you follow this advice from Jeff Spencer.
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Our viewer, @Anouyz asked: "I'm looking to get into some equipment. I do smaller scale rough stonework patios drystacked walls, etc. Do you think I should go for a skid steer to get the ability to move and load material, while also having a set of forks to move pallets? Or do you think a tractor is better investment to allow me to get a backhoe as well?"
Our resident expert, highly experienced construction Project Manager, Jeff Spencer, gives his advice.
Hint: Buy the skid steer!
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Visit https://www.ProfitDig.com. The all new and improved version 3 launching soon!
Jeff Spencer discusses how RPOs ("rental purchase options") are a great way for contractors to acquire the equipment they need while still maintaing flexibility. These agreements allow you to apply rental payments to the purchase of equipment - thus, you still have the ability to turn the equipment in if it is not needed, but still purchase it if so desired. Some equipment companies will even give you 100% of your payments toward purchase, or it may be less than your full payments. Jeff also talks about the importance of having a good relationship with your equipment companies.
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ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer, a highly experienced construction project manager and company owner, discusses renting versus buying equipment, especially for new contractors. Jeff advises that you own your smaller tools and equipment, But heavy equipment is extremely expensive. Renting equipment gives you the flexibility to turn a piece of equipment in if you no longer need it or don't have any work for it. Buying it, on the other hand, ties you to that bank note. A new contractor starting out has no backlog. As you build up a backlog of work (at least six month), then it may be time to consider purchasing some of your equipment. As your backlog increases, you can gradually buy more of your equipment.
Take your business to the next level with a Web-based tool that makes it much easier to create and submit professional quality bids, and then track your job costs down to the line item. Visit https://www.profitdig.com and try it out today!
A peak into a conversation between Josh Young. Jeffrey Washington and the ProfitDig guys about making it an independent contractor. It's not easy getting started, and they talk about things they have had to do along the way to generate income to get their businesses off the ground. A fascinating look into the lives of men who are dedicated to growing successful construction businesses.
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Josh Young, with Young's Construction, and Jeffrey Washington from NK2 Home Solutions, home improvement contractors in Middle Tennessee, discuss customer relation strategies to make sure their customers are happy and come back for repeat business. If you are an independent contractor, you will get some ideas from this video!
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Continuing our conversations with Josh Young (Young's Construction) and Jeffrey Washington (NK2 Home Solutions), we discuss the need in certain counties for having a home improvement license that allows you to do much bigger jobs. Licensing exists for a reason. Bonding allows you to get your home improvement license. Bonding covers the client in case the contractor is unable to complete the job. When should you pursue licensing and bonding? What do you need to know about it? Listen to these professionals talk about it and find out!
Another fascinating interview from ProfitDig! Bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Josh Young, with Young's Construction, and Geoffrey Washington from NK2 Home Solutions, who are good friends while also competing in the same market, talk about their history together and how they are able to help each other build more successful businesses - sharing contacts, tools, collaboration and more. Washington describes it as "collaboration over competition." If you are a local home improvement contractor, you should definitely give this a watch!
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Successful entrepreneur, Jeremy Perkins, author of the Amazon best-seller "The Entrepreneurs Intervention: The 12 Steps to Business Recovery", has experienced wild swings in his business career - from being broke millions in debt to now owning multiple companies generating millions in annual revenue. How did he do it? How does he run so many businesses? Listen and learn from Jeremy's amazing story. You may just find the inspiration to turn your own business career around!
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Entrepreneur Jeremy Perkins explains the idea of "spec homes" and "custom homes." He describes his business structure, which includes rental houses, home building and storage. He explains the difference between "slow money" and "fast money" - he gets paid every week on some projects, which helps him maintain cashflow for slower paying, larger projects. He explains that he pays his contractors much more for his custom homes because of the quality of the work. If you dream of being a successful home builder, you would do well to learn from a master like Jeremy Perkins!
Take your business to the next level with a Web-based tool that makes it much easier to create and submit professional quality bids, and then track your job costs down to the line item. Visit https://www.profitdig.com and try it out today!
Successful entrepreneur, home builder and author Jeremy Perkins, talks about the mistakes he made and bad life decisions that led to losing his business before turning it around. As Jeremy explains, he was addicted to business the same way some people are hooked on drugs, which led to a wreckless lifestyle. He talks about how he turned his life around, and the lessons that inspired him to write his book, The Entrepreneurs Intervention. You will definitely learn some lessons from this fascinating conversation!
From ProfitDig - bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Entrepreneur and author, Jeremy Perkins, is a successfull Middle Tennessee home builder specializing in high end custom homes. He is also in the storage unit business and is a best-selling author on Amazon.com. In this video, he sits down with the ProfitDig guys to discuss the highs and lows in his career. Like many successful entrepreneurs, Jeremy's lows have been very low...and the highs very high. Listen in on this fascinating discussion with this successful home builder and see what wisdom you can glean.
Take your business to the next level with a Web-based tool that makes it much easier to create and submit professional quality bids, and then track your job costs down to the line item. Visit https://www.profitdig.com and try it out today
Scott Miller is the General Manager of Operations for the Water Authority of Dickson County, which is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area, one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Scott talks about the challenges in getting water taps installed and keeping up with customer demand in light of that rapid growth. As Scott explains, in his situation, the infrastructure and permitting situation is well-equipped to handle the growth. However, construction of capital improvements has to be planned years in advance. As opposed to water supply, waste water is a bigger challenge. Someone in Scott's position must have forsight to account for future demand.
Another fascinating interview from ProfitDig! Bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Scott Miller is the General Manager of Operations for the Water Authority of Dickson County, so the man knows ALL about how municipal and county water systems work. Scott started out as a manual laborer and worked his was up to running an entire multi-county water system. Listen in as he explains everything from how government lobbying for his industry is done to how clean water is delivered to your home. The purpose of the Water Authority is to provide clean water and, in some cases, collect sewage back, which is cleaned and re-released (a process called "distribution and collection"). For those interested in a career in water distribution, Scott discusses various certifications and career paths.
After watching this video, you'll feel like you are an expert! This is great knowledge to have for contractors involved in laying water and fill lines.
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Josh Young, with Young's Construction, talks about the things he is doing to build his home remodeling business. ProfitDig's Jerry Work, a marketing professional, also gives some tips. If you are seeking to build a local business providing construction-type services, you will definitely learn something here! It's not hard, but many of your competitors will not even do these basic things, which could give you a distinct competitive advantage.
Bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Handyman / home remodeler, Josh Young, talks about the difference between new construction and remodeling and the work he is doing to build his own business. He talks about the problem with modern pressure-treated wood, which does not provide as much longevity as it used to, and how different construction techniques should be used to minimize moisture contact with the wood. His focus is on things he is doing differently with regard to the construction of decks. He also discusses regional difference which affect how decks and other structures should be built. The guys also talk about how often decks should be treated, and why painting a deck is a bad idea.
From your friends at ProfitDig - job jobs, track costs, make more money. Made for construction contractors like you. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com and save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
The ProfitDig guys have a conversation with home renovator, Josh Young, who explains that just having a strong work ethic, and being willing to roll up your sleeves and learn, goes a long ways toward building a successful career and business. Another factor in Josh's success is having a solid understanding of tasks that he is good at and those he is not comfortable doing, and making sure you are able to do top-notch work that is in your wheelhouse.
Bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Smart thermostats can be an excellent way to control temperatures in a cost effective way, but Internet-connected thermostats have a very real potential danger - losing control of the ability to set the temperature in your own home or business. This is already happening in other countries - could it also happen in the U.S.? Is it already happening?
From your friends at ProfitDig - job jobs, track costs, make more money. Made for construction contractors like you. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com and save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
As HVAC professional, David Collins, explains, the HVAC industry has completely changed in the last 5 years. One major change is the refrigerants that are used. New refrigerants are being used that have zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was signed, which was the beginning of the movement to save the ozone layer. Since then there has been a continue effort to create refrigerants that do not deplete ozone and also have low global warming effect. The problem is that those new refrigerants are very flamable, which changes the whole way HVAC units work. Modern HVAC is a fascinating field and you're not going to find many people more knowledgable than David, so give it a watch! You will definitely learn something.
Bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Professional HVAC instructor, David Collins, joins the ProfitDig guys for a conversation about how one goes about becoming an HVAC professional. They discuss what is involved in the one-year HVAC training program that David teaches, and how a coopreative program with local HVAC companies is so critical in getting his students the hands-on experience they need. That experience is invaluable in getting better jobs post-education and is worth more than just having good grades. HVAC professionals are in high demand, so this is an excellent career choice for anyone who likes solving problems and working with their hands. As David explains, just having a strong work ethic goes a long way toward getting your foot in the door and having a great career.
From your friends at ProfitDig - job jobs, track costs, make more money. Made for construction contractors like you. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com and save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
In our final video with HVAC expert, Jonathan Booker, he tells the guys some HVAC horror stories, such as encountering rats, opposoms, skunks and various other creatures in attics and crawlspaces (skunks love ductwork); getting eat up by dogs while under a house; witnessing weird (and sometimes disturbing) things at peoples' homes; horny customers and much more! Give it a watch or listen for a laugh.
From your friends at ProfitDig - job jobs, track costs, make more money. Made for construction contractors like you. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com and save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
Continuing our conversation with HVAC expert, Jonathan Booker, we talk about various HVAC-related topics, including the value of having backup generators, green energy options, changes in refrigerants, electrical versus gas systems, and many more interesting topics. If you have any involvement with HVAC in your work or life, you will definitely learn something!
Bid jobs, track costs and make more money with ProfitDig. Sign up at https://www.profitdig.com. Save 50% off your first 3 months with coupon code 50off (no contract, cancel any time).
HVAC expert Jonathan Booker discusses the differences between HVAC systems for homes versus commercial locations. If you are involved in home or building construction, take the time to increase your knowledge of HVAC systems by learning from a professional with many years of experience.
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HVAC expert Jonathan Booker joins the ProfitDig crew to talk all about heating, venting and air conditioning. HVAC is becoming increasingly complex, but it is a critical component of building and home construction. Learn what HVAC is, how HVAC systems work and what your options are for HVAC systems. He also spends time explaining how important it is that an HVAC system be sized appropriately for the structure (not too small, not too big) and much more! Whether you're a home owner needing to understand HVAC or a contractor constructing buildings, you will learn some valuable information here.
Another useful video from your friends at ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
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Certified bridge inspector, Corey Work, finishes his visit with the ProfitDig guys by explaining the exact steps he follows when inspecting a bridge. He also talks about weird things he or his co-workers have seen under or around bridges. As Corey explains, step one: turn the truck off and get out of the track. The guys have quite a few laughs in this one, so give it a watch!
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Our buddy, Seth Williams, collects rare concert posters, most of which he personally purchased at the actual concerts. Many of those posters are not very valuable. ProfitDig's Jerry Work is a collector of vintage toys and comic books. If you are a collector, you will enjoy this conversation between two guys who are passionate about their collections!
Most of the time we talk about construction...but sometimes we don't!
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Continuing our conversation with certificed bridge inspector, Corey Work, the ProfitDig guys talk about if there is anything that could have prevented the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore from collapsing (other than not running into it with a cargo ship), how bridges over water are constructed, underwater bridge inspection, the reason a major bridge in Memphis was shut down last year, how too much stress can cause cracks in steel, having to shut down a bridge, and much more!
Another fascinating discussion brought to you from ProfitDig. Easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors, starting at $99/mo., no contract required. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com.
Bridges are on everybody's minds, so this week professional certified bridge inspector, Corey Work, joins the ProfitDig guys to discuss what a bridge inspector does and what they look for when inspecting bridges. Corey discusses the three main components of a bridge and what inspectors look at in each component. He also discusses environmental factors that affect a bridge's integrity and many other bridge-related topics. This is just part 1 of a 3 part series with Corey.
Another fascinating video from ProfitDig - bid jobs, track costs, make more money. Easy!
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Seth Williams, an engineer who currently makes his living managing lighting crews for major entertainment acts, talks about his experience working on wind turbines, which often required him to climb up an ever-narrowing tower that stretched hundreds of feet into the air. This is some wild stuff!
Just another entertaining and educational video from ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
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The ProfitDig guys welcome Seth Williams, a skilled electrical engineer who has spent years managing lighting for major artists since 2007. Seth talks about the technical challenges and difficulties setting up lighting trusses, managing his crews, and just life on the road. He also talks about some of the wild things he has experienced in his career. You do not want to miss this one!
Another fine video from ProfitDig - Bid jobs. Track costs. Make money. Easy!
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Professional construction Project Manager, Jeff Spencer, has spent the last 22 years bidding construction jobs, and as he explains, the key to increasing your company's profits is by increasing production. Materials will cost everyone the same, and profit margins tend to be fairly standard across firms. Bidding with higher margins baked in will likely cost you jobs, so the key is beating the production rates used to create the bid.
Watch this short video and learn from a master!
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The ProfitDig guys talk about safety precautions when performing elevated work, such as on lifts and ladders. Safety is no joke! Workers on a lift must be tied off and they must have safety harnesses. OSHA and PPE costs are discussed. Nowadays, safety requirements are industry standard, which makes it easier to stay compliant. Most general contractors have safety measurements in place that are often higher than what is required by OSHA. If you are not compliant with the GC's safety requirements you will not be hired for work in the future. Jeff explains that his company has a safety sub who looks at their safety plans and write their MSDS sheets to make sure they are in compliance with safety regulations. However you account for safety, make sure you account for that cost in your bids!
Another fabulous video from your friends at ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Sign up today with coupon code "50off" and save 50% off your first three months. Non-contract, cancel any time.
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Construction project manager, Jeff Spencer's firm has a division that specializes in sprinkler systems. Jerry mentions that he knows people who live in a town where a huge EV battery factory is being built, and wonders aloud what kind of sprinkler system you have to have for something that potentially dangerous and difficult to control. Jeff discusses the classification of fire system you have to have, water volume and pressure demands, flow data, onsite water tanks, installer liability and more.
Another fascinating discussion from ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Save 50% off your first 3 months' subscription with coupon code "50off". Non-contract, cancel any time.
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In this episode of the ProfitDig Construction Show, the guys talk about mobilization. Planning ahead is the key to effective mobilization. Does the job have multiple phases? Look at the phasing plan so you know how many times you will have to move your equipment in and out of the jobsite. There could be weeks between phases of mobilization. Look at where the project is located. There is a big difference between a city project and a rural project. Make sure you understand everything that the project will entail from a mobilization standpoint and bid appropriately for that part of the job. Listen in and learn from a professional Project Manager with decades of experience.
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There are very important differences between a construction bid and an estimate, and it is critical that you use the correct language with customers or potential customers. Jeff Spencer has been bidding work for 30 years so is highly knowledgeable on the subject. Our special guest, contractor Luke Fielder, joined us for this conversation and described his personal experiences related to the matter.
From ProfitDig - the world's easiest to use construction job bidding and costing solution. Save 50% off of your first 3 months (no contract, cancel any time) with coupon code "50off". Visit us today at https://www.profitdig.com.
The guys talk about hot water heaters. Recent extreme cold weather in Tennessee had water pipes busting all over the place. What can cause a hot water heater to go bad? A hot water heat is just a tank with a heating element and supply lines. Your local codes will dictate how water lines should be run. Should you go tankless? Jeff Spencer is an expert at underground water lines, so listen in as he explains the technicalities of water lines and heating.
Another useful video from ProfitDig - bid jobs, track costs, make more money. Easy!
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In today's ProfitDig video, the guys talk about when you should get your General Contractor's license. The discussion centers around the state of Tennessee, but the ideas apply anywhere. They also discuss the risk to General Contractors that allow you to operate under their license. Jeff Spencer is a highly experienced construction project manager and former company owner, so he is highly experienced in licensing and bonding requirements, concepts that aspiring contractors must understand.
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Chris and Jeff talk about construction bonding. Bonding can cost you a potential job if you are unable to perform the required bond. You have to work with your insurance company, and you likely have some kind of monetary limit on your bonding capacity. Make sure you know your limit.
Watch and learn much more about this critical aspect of construction job bidding.
Another helpful video from ProfitDig - bid jobs, track costs, make more money. Easy.
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The ProfitDig guys talk about emerging technology trends for the construction industry for 2024, with Jeff Spencer, our resident construction project management expert, Jeff Givens, our resident engineering expert, and Jerry Work, who doesn't know much but he reads a lot of articles. Topics include:
AI and robotics on the construction site
The problems caused by lack of available labor, and solutions such as "tilt-up walls"
Industrial 3D printing
Technology waves
Risks in relying too much on artificial intelligence for decision making
Mass timber as a carbon-friendly alternative to concrete and steel
Listen in as the guys have a fascinating discussion about topics that will have a profound impact on the construction industry in the years ahead.
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ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer talks about his preferred brands of heavy construction equipment (based on his extensive experience) and discusses the concept of "or equal to" materials.
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Construction contractor, Luke Fielder, gives his advice for how to repair a damaged driveway.
Any gravel driveway without a finished surface like asphalt will require period maintenance. Making sure your sub-grade is correct is the first step. Make sure your base stone is dropped on an even surface. Ditches need to carry your water away from the driveway. Water should not be allowed to flow across a road.
Listen and learn from the construction experts at ProfitDig!
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The ProfitDig guys talk about tilt-up construction, a form of construction in which concrete walls are poured in forms on the construction site and then lifted to form walls of a building. How does it work? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Watch now and find out.
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The guys talk about weird things they have seen on a jobsite - such as a guy who left to get a tool from his truck and then showed back up with it months later. Have a laugh with the guys as they talk about jobsite ridiculousness.
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Wally Rankin, from Trout Creek Home Inspections, LLC, gives his take on the state of the economy from his perspective as a home inspector. As Wally explains, home inspections have died down quite a bit in his market area, likely indicative of the overall market in an environment of inflation and higher interest rates.
The guys have a laugh, as usual, while discussing a very serious topic.
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Being your own General Contractor on a construction project, such as a home build, is difficult if you are not highly experienced in the construction industry. Jerry explains the difficulties that someone he knows well has experienced while acting as her own GC. Jeff explains that the GC must elicit bids from subs for every part of the project that cannot be self-performed (which is likely most of it). From excavation to roofing, plumbing, electrical and everything else, there is a LOT that must be dealt with, and it must be done correctly to pass codes. Though it is difficult, IT CAN BE DONE!
So listen in as the guys talk about how to be your own General Contractor.
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The ProfitDig guys break out into an economics discussion regarding interest rates. How are rising interest rates affecting the construction industry? How are they affecting new home construction? Home loan applications are at their lowest rate since 1995. A recent home building rebound likely reflects permits approved many months ago. Can the construction industry survive while rates remain high? What should a contractor do? Listen in!
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The ProfitDig guys talk all about easements, which are agreements to allow you to perform work on someone else's property. As Jeff Spencer explains, it is important to record, takes notes and time-stamped photos about the condition of the property before you do any work. Look for cracks in foundations and anything else that could be affected by your work. When the job is done, be sure to restore the property to equal or better value than it was before you entered the property.
Listen in on this important discussion led by a seasoned construction industry veteran!
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Don't get burned by the contracts you sign! In today's ProfitDig video, the guys discuss various topics including:
On a project, you become part of the business of the General Contractor.
Make sure your scope of work is specified in the contract.
If it is a long contract with a company you have never worked with before, consult an attorney.
Language in proposals to protect your interests.
Daily jobsite documentation to protect you in court cases.
And more! If you deal with construction contracts, you need to give this a watch.
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The ProfitDig guys talk about the importance of daily jobsite documentation. Jeff Spencer talks about using contractors' daily diaries to document information such as jobsite conditions, weather, or any other factors that might affect the work that gets done on a particular day. This information is invaluable in situations such as a court case. You need to be able to explain what happened on a particular day, or set of days.
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In this non-construction episode of the ProfitDig Construction Show, our buddy, Wally Rankin, talks about his experience with chainsaw wounds and knife stabs - all incidents he has experienced with family members growing up in a logging town in Michigan, and with his children in Tennessee.
This was supposed to be a Halloween episode, but better late than never.
Another fascinating video from ProfitDig - the world's easiest to use construction job bidding and costing solution. Non-contract, Web-based, and perfect for small contractors.
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ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer discusses his invoicing strategies to make sure that you have the draws you need to pay the job bills along the way while maintaining healthy profit at the end of the job. Avoid overly aggressive billing! If you bill too aggressively, you may very well find yourself out of money by the end of the job and forced to pay expenses out of pocket.
From ProfitDig - the world's easiest to use construction job bidding and costing solution. Create professional quality job bids and track costs down to the line item for just $99/mo. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com.
ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer and Jeff Givens talk about power quality.
As Jeff Givens explains, the U.S. is divided into three major grids, and generation of power is based on the demand by homes and businesses within those grids. Generated power has to align with the demands on the grid. Non-linear sources of power for drives, motors and electrical equipment wreak havoc on the quality of power that comes into your home or business.
When companies sign an agreement with a particular energy provider, they have expectations with regard to the quality of power coming into their locations. Different municipalities will have different power requirements as well. Poor power quality can cause damage to your equipment, so having a better understanding of your power needs will help you maintain that equipment.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for #construction contractors. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com.
The guys talk about all subcontractors. If you are bidding on work that you do not self-perform, you will require subcontractors. A good subcontractor is hard to find, especially in a hot market. Having a well-established relationship with a subcontractor will help immensely. A sub is essentially an employee of the GC, so good relationships are critical.
ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer is a highly experienced Project Manager and former company owner, so learn from his wisdom in the latest ProfitDig video.
ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for #construction contractors. Sign up today at https://www.profitdig.com
“Dirty” power can cause expensive damage to the equipment in your shop. ProfitDig’s Jeff Givens, a former electrical engineer, explains what to do if you are not getting clean power to your shop.
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In years past, safety requirements were not so strictly enforced, but these days, OSHA is strict about enforcing those rules, and most companies take pride in keeping their employees safe. That is good news for employees, but from a job bidding standpoint, safety compliance must be accounted for in your bids.
When you sign on to perform work for a General Contractor, you become part of that company. Every GC has a safety program, and you must abide by the GC's requirements in addition to OSHA. Often the GC's requirements will be even more strict than OSHA. You will likely have to have your crews go through jobsite-specific training with the GC. That time costs you money, so you need to cover it in your bids.
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The ProfitDig guys talk about trench boxes, chains and slings - essential safety equipment used on a jobsite to prevent injury from collapsing trenches. Chains and sligns are used to lift heavy items. Most trench boxes weigh 8 - 12 thousand pounds, so they are very heavy devices. They must be used correctly based on soil and OSHA requirements, which vary from state to state. Trench boxes must be tagged properly. A missing tag will rquire recertification. It is critical that these items be set up correctly. Items used for lifting must also be tagged and dated.
Learn everything you need to understand about trench boxes, chains and slings.
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ProfitDig After Dark... not really! But it is Chris and Jeff talking about pipes! As Jeff explains, come municipalities require certain brands or types of pipes for specific applications. If you are engaged in underground utility work, it is critical you understand the different types of pipe and when to use what. Jeff is an expert in underground, so he knows what he is talking about.
Another helpful video from your friends at ProfitDig! Check us out at https://www.ProfitDig.com. Easy job bidding and costing for #construction contractors.
Highly experienced construction Project Manager, Jeff Spencer, talks about how to hire a foreman to help your company grow. As Jeff explains, it is hard to find workers in general, so finding a foreman is even more difficult. Jeff gives his tips for finding the right guy to run your crew.
From ProfitDig - the world's easiest to use #construction job bidding and costing solution. $99/mo. No contract. Sign up today at https://www.ProfitDig.com.
Professional home inspector Wally Rankin of Trout Creek Inspections shares some of the weirder things he has seen and experienced while performing home inspections.
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Wally Rankin of Trout Creek Inspections explains how there are limitations in every home which can make it difficult to examine everything. Every home inspector has a legal agreement detailing these limitations. It's extremely important to document everything discovered during the inspection. A home inspector isn't allowed to move items around without written permission. A thorough home inspection is like an investigation. A good home inspector will take the time to properly every accessible square foot.
Visit Trout Creek Inspections - https://troutcreekinspections.com/
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The ProfitDig guys talk with home inspector, Wally Rankin, about why you need a home inspector when purchasing a home. Most legitimate real estate agents want accurate home inspections and will advise their clients with regard to inspections.
If a realtor supplies you with a list of inspectors, do your research and pick the best one, even if he is the most expensive. With home inspection, you get what you pay for. A good inspector will begin his inspection even before arriving at the property - he will be looking at other properties in the neighborhood!
An inspector can also provide year-later inspections for warranty purposes, which is an excellent idea that can identify structural or engineering issues that will affect resale down the road.
Learn much more about what home inspectors are, what they do, and how to hire the very best one for your needs.
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In the latest ProfitDig video, we continue our conversation with professional home inspector, Wally Rankin, of Trout Creek Home Inspections. We ask Wally how building codes affect the home inspection process. Home inspectors do not inspect to code - they code to home inspection standards, which are set at a national level. National codes such as those related to electrical issues will be pointed out.
Wally also warns home built quickly during the recent housing boom should be inspected carefully for shoddy work. Watch and learn much more about the relationship between codes and home inspection!
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https://troutcreekinspections.com
Special guest, Wally Rankin from Trout Creek Inspections, joins the ProfitDig crew to talk about what to look for when hiring a home inspector. Wally runs a successful business and knows exactly what makes a good inspector.
Among the advice:
A good inspection for an average size home should take about 3 hours.
An inspector should be able to tell you exactly what they will be inspecting.
Ask the inspector if they inspect the roof.
Inspector certifications.
The type of reports that are provided, and how soon will they be delivered.
And much more! Listen in and learn from a true home inspection expert.
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https://troutcreekinspections.com
Today's ProfitDig video is all about silt fences and erosion control! Silt is runoff from a job site. Natural erosion control is best for slowing silt down, but silt fences are erosion matting attached to posts that is used to control runoff. The idea is for silt to pile up next to the fence. Silt fences often have to be redone to maintain control, and there are erosion control companies that specialize in that process. If you are doing dirt work, you must understand the proper use of silt fences. The ramifications of not properly doing erosion control can be disastrous.
We also talk about the mating season of Tennessee crawdads.
Give it a watch!
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The ProfitDig guys talk about bidding underground utility jobs - something Jeff Spencer knows a LOT about! When looking at a specific project, the specifications limit what you can and can't do on a project. Ease of accessibilty is a huge concern. How hard is it going to be do to get your equipment moved around? Where will you have to store your materials? Different types of materials will also greatly affect your bids. Make sure you understand job qualifications. Is stone backfill required? Do your suppliers have the necessary approved supplies you will need?
These are just a few of the items we discuss that have a tremendous impact on how profitable an underground utility job will be for you.
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Starting a new construction job and unsure of the local codes? Codes apply to the location (city and/or county) of the job. You may have to take a drive to a local courthouse for an application or at times you may get lucky and have the option to apply and pay online. ...and don't forget to budget for these in your job cost!
The ProfitDig guys talk about what to look for when buying construction equipment. Your equipment is a MAJOR expense, so you want to make sure you buy the equipment that is going to work best for your business and provide you years of service.
Topics include:
Making sure you buy equipment that suites the scope of work you are going to be doing.
What to look at when examining used equipment, such as number of hours on the equipment, how it operates, leaks or signs of damage.
Maintenance records.
Taking an experienced mechanic with you when purchasing equipment to get his opinion.
And more. Don't make the investment in equipment for your construction business until you watch this video!
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The ProfitDig guys talk about "cut and fill," a concept that anyone engaged in construction needs to understand. It is a simple concept, but one that is essential for preparing a level construction site. It can also allow you to increase profits if you are strategic about it.
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The ProfitDig guys talk to contractor, Luke Fielder, about the process of interviewing job candidates. All three of these guys have experience hiring and firing, so they have a strong understanding of how to find and hire the best candidates for a job. Whether you are looking to hire or looking to get hired in the construction industry, you will gain some valuable insights!
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Payment schedules are crucial for monitoring cash flow as you purchase materials and supplies and pay independent contractors and subcontractors throughout the course of a project.
In this video, Jeff Spencer, a construction expert, gives tips to Luke Fielder on how to manage payment schedules.
Just more wisdom from ProfitDig - easy job bidding for #construction contractors.
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Chris and Jerry talk about how to set up an account with Google and add a Google Business Profile for your business, which GREATLY improves your chances of appearing highly in Google local search results related to your line of work. To improve your odds, they also discuss creating citations and using the Google Business Profile updates feature.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding for #construction contractors. Bid jobs. Track costs. Make more money with ProfitDig.
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Using job bidding software can be beneficial for a new construction company owner. It can help streamline the bidding process and provide a more professional and accurate bid proposal.
In this video, Luke Fielder, owner of TriStar Land Solutions, gives feedback on ProfitDig as their job bidding software. We also talk about how ProfitDig makes it easy to track your job costs.
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In the construction industry, the efficient management of your crew is crucial for delivering projects on time, within budget, while maintaining high standards of quality. At some point in your business, you need to know when you need to hire more crew or people.
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All employers make sure that their employees are well-compensated. So in this video, the guys talk about the things to consider when raising labor rates.
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Chris Work, who is highly experienced in the world of Internet marketing, talks about using display advertisements to cheaply promote your construction company in your target markets. He also talks about the requirement to upgrade Google Analytics on your website to the new version, GA4.
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Jeff Givens discusses "physical penetraction testing," which is the process of penetrating the security of a company in a real world sense - in other words, not just security from a computer standpoint, but literally engaging in real world, walking through the door security.
If you are responsible for securing documents, you need to make sure someone can't just walk into your business and steal your files! Don't let your business be crippled by a security violation.
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The guys continue their conversation on how to absolutely destroy your construction business and ruin your reputation. This is based on a recent actual event that took place in which a young contractor just starting out made NUMEROUS mistakes. Items discussed in this episode include:
Having to install a driveway multiple times to pass inspection
Not knowing where gas lines are
Not knowing county codes
Not corresponding appropriately with county codes departments
Lack of attention to detail
The expense of busting a gas line
Being evasive in dealing with your customers
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Jerry talks to Jeff and Chris about the problems he is experiencing with a young excavation contractor who was hired by a friend to perform grading and build the pad for a new home construction. Among the mistakes made include:
Poor communication between the contractor and his crew
Failing to strip topsoil
Building a pad way too small for the project
Poor work in trying to correct the original mistakes
Failure to take responsibility for mistakes
Poor communication with client
And this is only part 1! If you are looking to start a successful construction company, you must provide TOP QUALITY work and account for mistakes when they happen. Otherwise you risk ruining your reputation, setting you back YEARS! There are valuable life and business lessons contained in this one.
Just more wisdom from ProfitDig - easy job bidding for #construction contractors.
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Chris Work and Jeff Spencer talk about the state of the construction industry as of May, 2023. The guys have a couple of laughs, but also talk some serious business. Jeff says construction in Middle Tennessee is still going strong, but he is seeing a decline in bid invites. Jeff expects there is a seasonal aspect to it, but it is something he is keeping an eye on. As expected, Jeff is seeing more bid invites for apartment complexes, which can be an indication of a declining economy.
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Jeff Spencer talks about newer technology that is helping secure and monitor construction equipment on the jobsite, along with strategies for preventing theft of materials and other items on the jobsite.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding for construction contractors just like you. More and more contractors are making the switch to ProfitDig. Give it a try for $99. No contract required.
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The ProfitDig gang talks about how virtual reality and augmented reality might soon be used in the construction industry. Jeff Givens also discusses an actual use case related to electrification with which he is currently involved.Brought to you ProfitDig - easy job bidding for construction contractors just like you.https://www.ProfitDig.com
Jeff Spencer talks about the need to get up very early in the morning if you want to productive and successful in the construction business.
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Luke Fielder, owner of TriStar Land Solutions, talks about using ProfitDig to create his job bids. We also talk about how ProfitDig makes it easy to track your job costs.
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ProfitDig co-founder Jeff Spencer gives ten tips for bidding construction jobs for inexperienced company owners or estimators. The list includes the following suggestions:
Make sure you have the necessary resources. If you are awarded a project, you are going to have to fund it. Make sure you are not overstepping your boundaries and you are able to perform the work.
Make sure you meet the job qualifications. If the job has licensing or insurance requirements that you cannot meet, then you will be wasting your time.
Know the job. Make you are familiar with the drawings for the job as well as the actual physical jobsite before you do the job bid.
Get a soils report. If you are unsure of soil quality or there is no such report, you need to use qualifications in your bid to make sure you are not held accountable for problems that arise because of problems with soil or rock.
Watch the video to see Jeff discuss all ten tips for bidding your construction jobs.
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Construction company owner, Luke Fielder, discusses the challenges he has faced in his first year as a contractor.
Topics include:
The seasonality of excavation
Finding work during slow periods
What Luke has learned about running a business
Targeting heavy civil work
Competing with uninformed, low budget competitors
Tracking job costs
The mentality of growing a successful business
Finding profitable markets
and more! Listen is as construction industry veterans discuss the ups and downs of starting and running a successful construction business.
Learn more about Tristar Land Solutions - https://www.facebook.com/TristarLandS...
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Following is a partial transcript of some of the key points in the conversation between ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer and Marlana Martinez from Under the Mountain Underground, LLC (https://utmu.rocks) about bidding excavation work.
From ProfitDig - https://www.ProfitDig.com
The ProfitDig guys answer a question a viewer had asked in a video comment. When you bid a GMP ("guaranteed maximum price") contract, you are guaranteeing a maximum price for the customer. However, sometimes change orders are required that will affect your scope of work. You must be careful to qualify your bids to make sure you are protected in such a case. When the GC is locked into a particular price, you are as well. But sometimes mistakes happen that require change orders. Who is to blame when mistakes are made? Can you charge more when extra work is required because of change orders?
General Contractors like GMP contracts because they are good money, but make sure you don't get burned from the mistakes of others!
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The guys talk about how interest rates are affecting the construction industry. As Jeff explains, one major effect of rising interest rates is a shift from single-family home construction to mult-family construction. People would rather lease during times of high interest than be saddled with a high interest mortgage. Rising interest rates and falling home sales also affect things like contractors' ability to acquire or rent equipment, and the ability to fund new projects.
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Working on a construction site that contains a railroad track requires proper permitting. A good engineer on a project will already know what permits are required, but sometimes you may have to do it yourself. A flagger will be required. Those costs must be accounted for in your job bid. Jeff Spencer discusses permitting, the difficulties and technicalities of boring beneath a railroad, the holdups that occur when a train comes through. The guys have a laugh (as usual), but this is a serious topic that can result in very substantial fines.
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In part 2 of the ProfitDig discussion about construction takeoffs, we talk about the following topics:
Timestamp
0:00 Introduction
1:40 Making an outline of your job.
2:20 Be aware of conflicts
4:00 Document your notes
5:10 Get clarification on changes
6:10 Know your drawings
6:50 Be conservative
7:30 Don't push your men too hard
9:00 Set your employees' expectations
10:00 Where you win and lose jobs
10:30 Going from takeoff to bid
11:55 Adding contingencies per bid item
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Construction industry veteran, Jeff Spencer, talks about construction takeoffs. Understanding exactly what you are bidding on is critical for performing a profitable job. As a construction company owner and professional project manager, Jeff tells you how he approaches takeoff. The guys talk about it while looking at some plans.
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One thing a contractor has to deal with is materials and waste - that stuff has to go somewhere! Construction industry expert, Jeff Spencer, talks about how he handles the situation - including qualifying bids to leave waste material on site, or adjusting bids for the cost of trucking waste offsite. There must be a permanent dumpsite, which will cost you by the ton. You must be strategic when factoring in your swell factor, trench depth and the like, so you account for its cost.Brought to you by ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding and costing for contractors. https://www.ProfitDig.com
Construction project manager and ProfitDig co-founder, Jeff Spencer, has had a very successful career in the construction business. Part of his success is just the fact that he is so nice to everyone he meets.
The ProfitDig guys talk about simple strategies for growing your business through networking. Growing your network of contacts is critical, and it is important that you maintain relationships (and remember names) along the way.
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Working on a construction site that contains a railroad track requires proper permitting. A good engineer on a project will already know what permits are required, but sometimes you may have to do it yourself. A flagger will be required. Those costs must be accounted for in your job bid.
Jeff Spencer discusses permitting, the difficulties and technicalities of boring beneath a railroad, the holdups that occur when a train comes through. The guys have a laugh (as usual), but this is a serious topic that can result in very substantial fines.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding for construction contractors.
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When you get into a situation where you are asked to do work outside your scope of work, don't get into a situation where you have to find a sub at the last minute. Get quotes from you subs before you bid a job. If you go to work without a locked in price, you'll be open market when it comes to what you pay (time and materials).
There are consultants in the market just bidding work and subbing all of the work out. Anything you can self-perform will be more profitable, but anything else should be subbed out. If you are a new company starting out, stick with the type of work you know and sub everything out.
Construction industry veteran talks about using subcontractors in the construction field on this episode of the ProfitDig Construction Show.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
Jeff Spencer talks about what a contractor needs to be thinking about when the weather starts cooling down. With respect to cold temperatures, all of your equipment needs to be serviced and winterized.
From a bidding standpoint, you need to consider what type of work you want to bid on for the Spring. But continue to look for jobs you can during the colder months to keep your crews busy and generating some cashflow. Absorb these nuggets of wisdom and you will be better prepared for keeping you business going through the winter months.
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When performing work at a site that contains a gasline, you must adhere to the rules and regulations as put forth by the owner of the gasline. A representative from the gas authority will typically be onsite at the job location.
Jeff relays a story of his getting in trouble on a job where he did not know he was not even allowed to drive on a property with a gasline. As it turns out, a permit was required to take any equipment across the pipeline, and it required construction of a temporary bridge. These considerations must be taken into account when bidding on a job. Listen and learn from a construction industry veteran.
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Jeff Spencer explains that it is up to the project manager to understand the plans and the nature of the jobsite to create and manage a plan for accomplishing the job as cost effectively as possible. But he or she needs to take feedback from the supervisors, foremen and workers at the jobsite with regard to better better ways to perform the work. Listen and learn from a highly experienced construction project manager.
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It is important to qualify your bids to protect yourself in the event change orders are needed. When you enter into a contract, it is imperative that you read through it and make sure that everything that pertains to your bid, or part of the job, is qualified.
Any that needs to be qualified should be added somewhere in the contract as an exhibit.
For example, if you are a grading contractor and don't have a soils report, and don't know if you will hit rock, you need to have a rock clause to protect yourself.
You can do an all inclusive bid, in which case you are responsible for the work regardless of circumstances that arise, but be careful with that type of arrangement. The grading contractor would be responsible for dealing with rock in that case.
Construction industry veteran, Jeff Spencer, explains bid qualifications and gives several concrete examples of situations when bid qualifications were so important.
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We asked #construction expert Jeff Spencer if someone who wants to start a construction company should do so when construction is booming, or wait until he has all the necessary resources and experience, even if the economy isn’t as good.
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Construction is a fantastic career choice. It can provide you and your family a very nice living, especially if you proactive in advancing your career. Construction veteran, and ProfitDig co-founder, Jeff Spencer, gives his best advice for working your way up the career latter in construction.
What do you want to talk about next time? Comment down below.
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Certificates of insurance (COIs) are used in situations where liability and significant losses are of concern and require one, which is in most business contexts. The ProfitDig guys share how insurance works in a construction. Jeff Spencer also talks about the benefits of COI in individual projects.
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Luke Fielder is a new excavation company owner currently running a three-man crew. In this second part of our interview with Luke, he talks about some of the jobs he is working on, the problems with trying to find more employees, and the difficulty acquiring the equipment he needs (even rentals) to complete his jobs. He also touches on the fact that his wife plays a critical role in the business by handling paperwork and administrative tasks.
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A construction bond protects your clients if problems develop with your work. The types of bond include bid, performance, payment, maintenance and supply bonds, among others.
In this video, Jeff Spencer explains the difference of bidding bonds and payment and performance bonds.
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In this episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show that is all about marketing, the guys talk about how to identify the right marketing company for your construction business. Jerry talks about the three major segments of digital marketing that construction contractors should be aware of. The guys then talk about where a new contractor is best off concentrating his time and budget.
You may know construction, but you probably don't know marketing (at least not like the guys in this video)! You might get business from word-of-mouth or other means, but if you want to really grow your business, you need to be aggressive using Internet marketing tactics to increase awareness of your company and drive targeted traffic to your website to learn more about you.
From ProfitDig - makers of easy-to-use, Web-based construction job bidding, costing and reporting solution, ProfitDig. Learn more at https://www.ProfitDig.com
Part 1 of 2 videos in which the ProfitDig guys sit around their conference table and talk about Internet marketing strategies for construction contractors.
Chris Work explains what you should look for when searching for a person or company to take care of your marketing for you. This is an important decision, and whether you hire someone or do it yourself, you need to understand what exactly digital marketing is and what you need for your business.
We talk about search engine optimization, "SEO", and how "local SEO" differs but is probably even more important for a construction contractor operating within a limited geographic radius.
Jerry Work also tells where we came with the name for our show ("the ProfitDig Radio Show") and how it ties into a very famous financial expert.
The theme of this episode is that if you want to build a successful life for yourself as a construction contractor, you must accept responsibility for building your business. Your success is in your own hands. Marketing is a tool that can help bring people to your door. ProfitDig is a tool that can help you win jobs and make more money.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost, Web-based construction job bidding, costing and reporting.
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A takeover occurs when one company makes a successful bid to assume control of or acquire another. Jeff Spencer, Chris Work, and Luke Fielder, talks about the process of job takeover in construction.
ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Low monthly fee. Cloud-based. No contract.
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The ProfitDig guys explains everything about takeoff and what are the best ways to do a takeoff. Luke Fielder and Jeff Spencer shares their experiences in using transparency sheets to do a takeoff.
Subscribe, share the link, and get some tips from the ProfitDig guys!
ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Low monthly fee. Cloud-based. No contract.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
This episode of the ProfitDig Construction Show is all about as-built drawings. If you are in the construction industry, it is critical that you understand this topic.
As-built drawings reflect how the project is actually built versus how it was shown in the original construction drawings.
When you make changes in the field that are different from the contract drawings, your men will make note of those changes - measurements, depths, etc. A project manager will then move that information onto a CAD file which is sumbitted to the GC. From there it is submitted to the architect or engineer or record, and finally to the owner. The as-builts must be accurate in order to properly reflect the actual work that has been done. If a problem arises, it allows the source of the problem to be more quickly located.
Listen in as a construction industry veteran, project manager and ProfitDig partner Jeff Spencer, tells you everything you need to know about is-built drawings.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost job bidding and costing for contractors.
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Jeff Spencer, Chris Work, and Luke Fielder discuss the purpose of addendums in a construction contract, especially during the bidding process. Jeff also gives advice on what contractors should do when addendums affects their scope of work.
Addendums are frequently used in construction contracts, as they allow for changes to the initial contract without having to completely rewrite the document.
Check out this podcast, be protected, and be informed about the importance of this document.
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Jeff Spencer explains the process of finalizing a job, what information needs to be conveyed to the client, when your insurance on the job starts and more. He also explains that just finishing a job on time and on budget should not be a reason to celebrate - it should be your expectation. Finally, he talks about the importance of making your crew feel appreciated.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding for construction contractors.
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Starting out, you are likely going to require bank financing to start your construction business. Whatever money are you spending on a loan payment, pay it off and then continue to make those payments into your own escrow account. That will give you a fund from which to draw money. Treat it like a bank account and pay yourself interest. Be your own bank!
You are likely looking at around 10% overhead and 15% profit in your business. You need to target $5 million minimum revenue, which would generate $750,000 per year income to invest into your company. Your goal the next year should be to grow to $7 million, then $9 million, all the while investing more into your business and setting more into your personal escrow account.
Continue to pay yourself into your own escrow account that you can then borrow against (and pay yourself interest). The bonuses will come once you get your company where it needs to be. Be disciplined enough to live off of a minimum salary for a few years while your company grows.
Presented by ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
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Construction expert Jeff Spencer describes a strategy for managing your billing and cashflow that insures that at the end of the project all the bills are paid and you still have profit left over.
He also talks about the great danger of being too dependent on a single source of work, which was a bad mistake his company made years ago.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
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Continuing their discussion of some POSITIVE things happening in the construction industry, based on a recent article from ForConstructionPros.com, the ProfitDig crew talks about the increasing adoption of technology in the industry, especially as it relates to more accurate job bidding and cost tracking.
Job cost tracking can give you a decided advantage over your competition. Use of information technology is how a small contractor becomes a big contractor. Jeff talks about the problems he had with cost tracking in the past because of the great expense and difficulty of use of the leading job bidding solutions. Those problems led to the idea of ProfitDig.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for contractors.
A discussion of AIA (American Institution of Architects) contracts, which are standardized contracts that contractors can purchase. They can be expensive, so are they worth it? Will they make your life easier?
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding and costing for contractors.
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A discussion of AIA (American Institution of Architects) contracts, which are standardized contracts that contractors can purchase. They can be expensive, so are they worth it? Will they make your life easier?
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding and costing for contractors.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
The ProfitDig guys talk about a trend that started after the pandemic - young people choosing to go to trade schools rather than college! This is exactly what the construction industry needs at this point in time.
From ProfitDig - we make construction job bidding fun!
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Luke Fielder is a brand new excavation contractor who talks about the struggles he has encountered starting his business, and strategies for short-cutting the process if you have limited funds. Part 1. Look for Part 2 coming soon!
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In this information-packed half-hour+, highly experienced construction project manager, Jeff Spencer, gives a ton of strategies about managing your company's finances, whether you are a brand new subcontractor or an experienced pro trying to build a more profitable business.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
In this episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, we have a half-hour+ conversation with Mr. Luke Fielder, a contractor who just recently struck out on his own. Learn about how Luke started his business, the difficulties he has had, how he is promoting his business, how he is securing work, and much more!
If you dream of starting your own construction business, this is priceless information. It will very likely give you some things to think about!
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost job bidding and costing for construction contractors. Try it today at https://www.ProfitDig.com
In this episode of the ProfitDig Construction Show, Jeff Spencer explains some strategies for making maximum use of crews when you have multiple crews at one or more jobs.
You don't want to have crews of men standing around with nothing to do! Know your crews, what they are best at, and put them in the best position to gain experience and keep the workflow going. It is a battle to retain good employees, so keep them busy and pay them a good wage.
Jeff also answers the question "do robots eat hotdogs?"
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding for contractors.
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The ProfitDig guys discuss the problems finding good employees in the construction industry. The universe of qualified construction workers has stayed basically the same while demand has exploded, driving wages to record levels. Jeff Spencer explains some of the things his company is doing to attract labor, including trying to hire complete crews all at once.
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for construction contractors.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
In this episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show,:
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In this episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, the guys discuss various fascinating topics related to the construction industry, such as:
So sit back and listen in as the ProfitDig guys discuss these and more topics in their usual laid back, irreverent fashion. You just might even learn something!
From ProfitDig - easy job bidding and costing for contractors. $99/mo. No contract.
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Jeff Spencer, Jerry Work and Chris Work discuss how not understanding you jobsite access and any required traffic control can ruin your profits on a construction job. Your employer or general contractor may not explain all of those details.
Https://www.ProfitDig.com - easy, low cost construction job biding, costing and reporting.
Seasoned project manager / estimator Jeff Spencer has seen and done it all in the construction field. In this episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, Jeff talks about when is the best time to strike out on your own as a subcontractor, how a new sub can get good prices on materials, leveraging your relationships and more.
There is some excellent advice here for anyone who makes his or her living as a construction subcontractor. In this era of intense competition, surging materials prices, and a battle for the best labor, you need every advantage you can get. So sit back and learn from a master.
Jeff Spencer and Chris Work talk about construction job bidding in these difficult times. The construction industry in Middle Tennessee, where ProfitDig is located, is booming. However, a lack of workers and rapidly rising materials costs are placing extreme pressure on many contractors.
Jeff has been a professional project manager for many years, and he has seen it all. So he talks about some strategies for bidding jobs when demand is very high, like it is now. He also gives some advice about renting equipment when you don't have what you need for certain jobs.
The men also discuss when to stockpile materials. Jeff talks about how his business is currently experiencing shortages and wait times of four to six weeks to get materials.
Another topic discussed is making sure you have a firm understanding of the mobilization that will be required for a job. If you do not have a firm understanding of how and when you are going to have to move your equipment, it could have severe negative consequences to your profitability.
Listen in as a seasoned professional dishes out some of this best advice for bidding jobs in times of high demand and low supply.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding, costing and reporting.
In this discussion between Jeff Givens and Jeff Spencer, the guys talk about setting your man hours in your job bids. As Spencer explains, you do not want to try to bid a job with the exact number of hours you think the job will take because you leave yourself no wiggle room for mistakes or to account for job conditions beyond your control. They discuss analyzing a project afterwards to see what went wrong in a project to cause it to run over on man hours.
They also discuss the dangers of getting too close to a donkey!
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding, costing and reporting.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
In this "Jeff and Jeff" episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show podcast edition, project manager Jeff Spencer talks about the problems he has had dealing with engineers with little field experience, how bad engineering results in change orders, who is responsible for change orders that result from engineering mistakes and more.
This is valuable information for project managers, contractors or anyone involved in the field of construction. Subscribe to the ProfitDig Radio Show podcast to learn about building and running a successful construction business.
ProfitDig's Jeff Spencer explains to Jerry Work some strategies a construction company owner can use to create a steady stream of work. Jeff discusses getting added to General Contractor bidding lists, and then as jobs are awarded making sure you represent yourself well, do good work, keep a neat job site to improve your chances of being awarded more jobs in the future. As a former company owner and professional project manager, Jeff knows what he is talking about.
ProfitDig's Jerry and Chris Work talk about the marketing advantages that a small construction company can give itself if it will just do the things that their competition are likely not doing, Chris issues a $100 challenge to any contractor who can point out a competitor who is doing the actions discussed. The guys also talk some nonsense. No Jeff Spencer in this one - just the marketing guys.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding, costing and reporting that is made for dirt men by dirt men. Starting at $99. Learn more at https://www.ProfitDig.com.
This podcast episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show is a compilation of some of construction expert Jeff Spencer's best advice for being more successful in your job bidding.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding, costing and reporting.
In this episode, Jeff Spencer talks about the time he had major conflict on a job that required change orders because a sewer manhole that the project required tying into was far too close to a foundational wall. Following the original plans could have been disastrous or far more expensive. Jeff recognized the need for change when we saw the jobsite with his own eyes and had to explain to the engineers why their plan would not work.
Jeff recommends that all estimators, project managers and engineers have multiple years of hands-on experience in the field.
Bidding your first job as an independent construction contractor is exciting and stressful, but if you are careful and do the proper preparation, you can be successful, win the job, and earn a profit. Jeff Spencer, a highly respected project manager/estimator and former company owner, gives his best advice for bidding your first job.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding, costing and reporting.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
Jeff Spencer talks to Chris Work about the importance of understanding the exact safety requirements for every job you perform. Many General Contractors have their own safety requirements beyond those mandated by OSHA. It is critical that you understand those and price your jobs accordingly to account for meeting the standards set by your employers.
From ProfitDig - easy, non-contract #construction job bidding, costing and reporting starting at $99.
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Professional construction project manager/estimator Jeff Spencer explains to Chris Work how to be successful as a foreman. Jeff worked his way up from labor to company owner, and has been involved in the construction field for nearly 30 years. In this ten minute episode, he talks about the need to be flexible and well-rounded, the ability to perform any part of a job, to operate equipment, and effectively manage a crew.
Learn tips for building a successful career in construction from a master. Subscribe to our podcast for ongoing discussions like this.
From ProfitDig - easy construction job bidding, costing and reporting. Starting at $99. No contract.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
In this short episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, professional construction project manager Jeff Spencer tells his number one top secret for any company to be successful in 2021.
In episode 4 of the ProfitDig Radio Show, Jerry Work and Jeff Spencer discuss the trials and tribulations of working nearly 10 years to get the ProfitDig construction job bidding and costing solution off the ground. The guys talk about what happened to the construction company that Jeff owned with his father and brother, why there is such a need for a solution like this, the difficulty in creating such a thing, staying independent, and answer the question: why are we still doing this???!!!
https://www.ProfitDig.com - made for dirt men by dirt men.
In the third episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, Chris Work asks Jeff Spencer about the things he typically has to deal with as a project manager and estimator.
Jeff also gets attacked by a microphone.
From ProfitDig - the world's easiest to use construction job bidding, costing & reporting solution.
https://www.ProfitDig.com
In the second episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, Jeff Spencer advises a diverse approach in terms of multi-family versus single-family construction, although it may depend greatly on your geographic market. He and Chris Work also talk about surging materials prices, the danger that presents to contractors, and how to mitigate the risk.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding, costing and reporting. Visit https://www.ProfitDig.com to try it out today.
Subscribe to our YoutTube channel at https://youtube.com/profitdig, and our audio podcast at https://podcast.profitdig.com.
SHOW LESS
In the debut episode of the ProfitDig Radio Show, Jerry Work talks about the need to pivot your business toward the prevailing trends in the construction industry, expanding your capabilities, and using your digital marketing and social media as tools to attract employees. 2021 is going to be a tough year in the construction industry, so you are going to need every advantage you can muster.
From ProfitDig - easy, low cost construction job bidding and costing. Made for dirt men by dirt men.
Visit https://www.ProfitDig.com to learn more.