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How Asphalt Paving Contractors Can Win Jobs with Better Bids & Estimates

  • Nate Jones
  • Oct 1
  • 3 min read

In the asphalt paving industry, winning jobs isn’t just about being the lowest bidder—it’s about presenting accurate, professional, and strategic bids and estimates. With rising material costs, tight deadlines, and fierce competition, contractors who refine their bidding process can secure more profitable projects and build long-term client relationships.


Asphalt Paving

In this guide, we’ll explain how asphalt paving contractors can win jobs with better bids & estimates. You’ll also learn how Contractor Back Office supports estimating workflows and how Wexford Insurance protects your growing business.


Why Better Bids & Estimates Help Asphalt Paving Contractors Win Jobs

Accurate bids and estimates are essential for asphalt paving contractors to win jobs and maintain profitability. They help:

  • Build trust with clients through transparency

  • Avoid underbidding and protect margins

  • Improve planning and resource allocation

  • Increase win rates in competitive markets

According to ConstructConnect, contractors who align their bidding strategy with business goals and use smart tools are more likely to win jobs and grow sustainably.citeturn15search96


Strategies to Help Asphalt Paving Contractors Win Jobs with Better Bids & Estimates

1. Define Your Bidding Strategy to Win More Asphalt Paving Jobs

Start by aligning your bidding approach with your business goals. Are you focused on growth, entering new markets, or maintaining profitability? Only pursue projects that match your strengths and long-term strategy. This helps you bid smarter—not just more often.


2. Make Your Bidding Process Quantifiable

Track key metrics like number of bids submitted, average bid value, and win rate. For example, if you submit 10 bids and win 3, your win rate is 30%. Measuring performance helps you identify what’s working and where to improve.

Learn more in this ConstructConnect expert guide.


3. Use Historical Data and Industry Standards

Review past projects to understand trends in pricing, win rates, and job types. Compare your performance to industry benchmarks—10–20% win rate for hard bids, 30–50% for negotiated jobs. This helps you refine your estimating and targeting strategy.


4. Improve Cost Control and Estimating Accuracy

Regularly update vendor pricing, labor rates, and equipment costs. Even small errors can lead to overbidding or underbidding. Use tools like Buildertrend to streamline estimating and ensure your bids reflect real costs.


5. Track Time Spent on Each Bid

Speed matters—but so does accuracy. If you rush, you risk mistakes. If you’re too slow, you may miss deadlines. Track how long each bid takes and look for ways to streamline without sacrificing quality. This helps you stay competitive and responsive.


6. Use Smart Estimating Software

Tools like Quick Bid automate cost calculations and integrate with takeoff software. They help you build fast, accurate, and professional bids that stand out. Software also reduces manual errors and saves time.


7. Break Down Estimates Clearly for Clients

Clients appreciate transparency. Present estimates with clear line items—labor, materials, equipment, and overhead. This builds trust and makes your bid easier to evaluate, increasing your chances of winning.


8. Perform Bid/No-Bid Analysis

Not every job is worth bidding on. Evaluate each opportunity based on profitability, fit, and risk. A structured bid/no-bid process helps you focus on high-value projects and avoid wasting time on low-margin work.


How Contractor Back Office Supports Asphalt Paving Contractors with Bids & Estimates

Contractor Back Office helps asphalt paving contractors win jobs with better bids & estimates by offering:

  • Estimating Templates: Professionally designed formats tailored to paving projects

  • Proposal Creation: Branded, client-ready proposals that improve your chances of winning bids

  • CRM Integration: Track leads, follow-ups, and estimate status in one place

  • Phone Support: Handle client inquiries and scheduling professionally

  • Bookkeeping & Invoicing: Ensure your estimates align with actual costs and cash flow

With Contractor Back Office, contractors can focus on delivering quality work while their back-end operations run smoothly.



Protecting Asphalt Paving Contractors with Wexford Insurance

Winning more jobs also means taking on more risk. Wexford Insurance offers coverage designed for asphalt paving contractors, including:

Wexford Insurance helps contractors operate confidently and protect their growing business.


Conclusion:

Better bids and estimates help asphalt paving contractors win jobs, protect profits, and build lasting client relationships. By applying smart strategies and leveraging support from Contractor Back Office, contractors can streamline their bidding process and stand out in a competitive market. With Wexford Insurance, they can grow safely and sustainably.


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