Field Notes

Quoting tips, pricing strategies, and business advice for contractors who'd rather be on the job than behind a desk.

Quoting

How to Write a Roofing Quote That Wins the Job [2026]

Most roofers lose jobs not because their price is wrong but because their quote looks like it was written on a napkin.

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Business

Markup vs Margin: The Math Most Contractors Get Wrong

A 20% markup is not a 20% margin. That mistake costs contractors thousands every year.

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Quoting

Good/Better/Best Pricing: Close at Higher Prices

Offering three tiers on every quote can increase your average ticket by 20-30%. Real examples by trade.

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Product

Best Quoting Software for Contractors [2026]

Hammer vs Jobber vs Housecall Pro vs ServiceTitan vs spreadsheets. Honest breakdown of speed, price, and features.

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Business

How to Follow Up on a Quote Without Sounding Desperate

The exact timing, templates, and strategy for following up on quotes. Plus when to walk away.

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Trade Tips

How to Price HVAC Jobs Without Leaving Money on the Table

Material markup, labor rates, seasonal pricing, and equipment margins. The pricing guide you wish you had as an apprentice.

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Trade Tips

7 Electrical Estimating Mistakes That Cost You Jobs

From underbidding service upgrades to forgetting permit costs, the estimating errors electricians make most often.

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Quoting

Free Plumbing Bid Template [2026]

A complete plumbing bid template with line items, markup guidance, and the sections most plumbers forget.

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Business

How to Handle Change Orders Without Losing Your Shirt

Change orders kill profits when they're handled informally. The process and pricing strategy that protects your margin.

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Product

Best CRM for Contractors in 2026

Five contractor CRMs compared on price, ease of use, and whether they actually help you close more work. No affiliate links.

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Quoting

How to Write a Contractor Quote That Wins [2026 Guide]

The exact structure, pricing psychology, and line items that separate quotes that close from quotes that get ghosted.

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Quoting

Free Contractor Estimate Template [Download + Tips]

A universal contractor estimate template with line item examples, formatting tips, and the sections most contractors forget.

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Business

How to Price Labor for Any Trade: The Complete Guide

Labor burden, burdened rates, hourly vs per-unit pricing, and the formula that protects your margin on every job.

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Product

AI Quoting Tools for Contractors: What Works in 2026

What AI quoting can actually do, what's hype, and how to evaluate whether a tool is worth your money.

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Trade Tips

How to Price Landscaping Jobs: Mowing, Hardscaping & Maintenance

Per-visit mowing rates, hardscaping per square foot, maintenance contracts, and the seasonal pricing strategy that builds real businesses.

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Trade Tips

Painting Estimate Guide: Interior, Exterior & Commercial

Per square foot rates for interior, exterior, and commercial painting. Plus the prep pricing mistakes that kill painter margins.

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Trade Tips

How to Quote Concrete Work: Flatwork, Foundations & Decorative

Volume calculations, per square foot rates, and the estimating mistakes that cost concrete contractors on every pour.

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Trade Tips

General Contractor Pricing: How to Markup Sub Bids + Materials

Standard GC markups on subs and materials, how to calculate overhead, and the project budget math that protects your profit.

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Business

How Much Should a Contractor Charge Per Hour in 2026?

Real hourly rates by trade, the formula to calculate your minimum rate, and why most contractors are working for less than their employees.

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Business

Contractor Profit Margins: What's Normal by Trade?

Gross vs net margin benchmarks for every trade, the 5 biggest margin killers, and how to improve yours without raising prices.

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Business

How to Follow Up After a Job: Getting Reviews + Referrals

The exact timing and scripts for turning every completed job into Google reviews, referrals, and repeat business.

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Business

5 Signs You're Undercharging (And How to Fix It)

Your close rate is too high, customers never push back on price, and you can't take a vacation. Here's the fix.

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