Most Contractors are Underbidding - Here is How to Fix

Most Contractors are Underbidding - Here is How to Fix

From The Better Contractor Podcast by Brent Oberlink

April 28, 2026 · 17 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the common mistake of underbidding among contractors and offers strategies to improve profitability.

Episode 79 breaks down one of the biggest mistakes contractors make. Underbidding. This results from not accounting for overhead, which leads to underpriced jobs and small margins. Brent Oberlink and Alex Eckhardt dive into when it makes sense to rent vs buy, and how the wrong decision can cost you in the long term. They also cover smart financing strategies, including building banker relationships and setting up a line of credit before you actually need it. On the operations side, they stress the importance of solid contracts, clear scope, and proper payment. If you're trying to stay profitable in a competitive market, this episode lays out what you need to do differently.

People in this episode

Host: Brent Oberlink

Guest: Alex Eckhardt

Topics covered

  • underbidding
  • contractor mistakes
  • financing strategies
  • operations management
  • profitability

Keywords

  • underbidding
  • contractors
  • overhead
  • financing
  • contracts
  • profit margins
  • competitive market

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