Articles & Guides
Expert construction articles, estimating guides, and industry insights to help you build smarter.
Subcontractor Markup by Trade 2026: What GCs Actually Pay by CSI Division
Real subcontractor markup data by trade for commercial construction in 2026. Concrete, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and specialty trades benchmarked from actual bids.
Read articleHow to Build a Project Estimate That Wins Bids and Holds Margin
Build a complete construction estimate from site visit through final price. Covers scope, materials, labor, overhead, profit, and presentation.
Read articleHow to Calculate a Bid Price That Wins Work and Protects Profit
Build a bid price from direct costs through overhead and profit. Understand markup vs. margin and competitive positioning.
Read articleHow to Calculate Change Order Markup That Protects Your Margin
Calculate proper change order markup that covers material, labor, overhead, and the disruption cost most contractors miss.
Read articleHow to Calculate Job Costs and Track Profitability Per Project
Track actual vs. estimated costs by category to find out which projects make money. Set up cost codes and identify budget overruns.
Read articleHow to Calculate Profit Margin for Construction Jobs
Understand the difference between markup and margin - the most common contractor math mistake. Convert between them and track gross vs. net margin.
Read articleHow to Calculate Your Contractor Hourly Rate to Cover All Costs
Calculate your true hourly rate from salary, overhead, and billable hours. Stop pricing backwards by copying competitors.
Read article7 Common (and Costly) Mistakes in Construction Project Budgeting
Discover how to avoid the 7 most common and costly mistakes in construction project budgeting that impact your profitability and financial control.
Read articleBest 3PLs in the Southeast US (2026): 5 Providers Compared
Five 3PLs serving the Southeast US in 2026 and what each one is best at, from port-adjacent drayage to hazmat-certified storage and foreign trade zone duty deferral. Written for brands weighing a warehouse buildout against outsourcing.
Read articleHow Many Bricks Per Square Foot? Brick Calculator + 2026 Cost Guide
Modular bricks cover 6.75 to 7 per square foot at a 3/8 inch joint. Installation runs $10 to $25 per square foot in 2026. Free calculator handles walls, patios, and veneer with mortar bag count and material cost.
Read articleHow Much Fence Do I Need? A Complete Guide & Material Calculator
A complete guide to calculating fence material needs, including posts, rails, infill, and concrete. Features our new Fence Material & Cost Calculator.
Read articleHow to Estimate a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
Phase II ESA cost typically runs $4,500–$120,000+ depending on scope. Step-by-step guide for environmental firms — labor-position-rate pricing, drilling sub coordination, lab analyte selection, and the variables/exclusions that matter on hard-dollar vs T&M contracts.
Read articleTry a different search term.