# Bid Strategy & Win Rate
Estimating costs real money, so **don't bid everything.** Smart contractors bid selectively and win a higher percentage.
## The bid / no-bid decision
Before estimating, ask: is this the right **size, type, customer, location, and margin** for us? If not, pass — and put that effort into work you can win profitably.
## Track your win rate
Know how many bids you win. A very high win rate may mean you're **pricing too low**; a very low one may mean you're chasing the wrong jobs. Chasing low-margin work just "to stay busy" is a treadmill.
**Takeaway:** Bid less, win smarter — chasing every job at a low margin is a treadmill.
> *Educational content — not legal, financial, or accounting advice. Run your numbers with your CPA.*
