JARED HISLOP
FEATURE
Most Asphalt Contractors Don’ t Have a Work Problem—
They Have a Process Problem
JARED HISLOP
In this industry, some contractors are trying to get more leads … and others already have more work coming in than they can keep up with. But here’ s the reality: Most contractors are losing jobs they should be winning. Not because they can’ t do the work. Not because they’ re too expensive. But because of what happens between the first phone call and the signed job.
Good Contractors Lose Jobs Every Week
You’ ve seen this happen— maybe more than you’ d like to admit. A property manager reaches out for a job. They call a few contractors. Everyone’ s qualified. Everyone can do the work. But then:
• One guy misses the call and calls back later
• One says he’ ll send a quote and doesn’ t get to it for a few days
• One sends something quick but it’ s not very clear
• One stays on top of it and follows up And somehow … that last guy gets the job. Not because he’ s better. Not because he’ s cheaper. Just because he handled it better.
There’ s More Money in Your Inbox Than You Think
Most contractors don’ t have a lead problem. They have a follow-through problem. Think about the last couple weeks:
• How many calls did you miss?
• How many estimates are still sitting in your notes or texts?
• How many quotes did you send and never followed up on? That’ s not a criticism— that’ s just how this industry runs.
You’ re busy. You’ re on jobs. You’ re dealing with crews, equipment, customers. But here’ s the part most guys don’ t think about: That’ s where the money is being lost. Not out in the market. Right there in the opportunities you already had.
The Way Most Asphalt Companies Are Set Up
Most companies in this industry are built to do one thing really well: Get the work done. Crews, trucks, equipment, materials— that’ s where the focus is. But the front end? That part usually looks like:
• answering calls between jobs
• writing estimates at night
• trying to remember who you still need to get back to
• digging through texts to find job details There’ s no real system. Just whatever works in the moment. And when things get busy, that’ s the first place things fall apart.
A Few Small Changes That Make a Big Difference
You don’ t need to overhaul your business to fix this. A few simple habits can make a noticeable difference. 1. Stop Letting Leads Sit Even a quick response is better than nothing. If someone reaches out, acknowledge it right away— even if you can’ t get them a quote yet.
2. Don’ t Let Estimates Stack Up The longer you wait, the less likely that job is yours. Getting something out quickly— even if it’ s not perfect— is better than waiting days.
[ 26 ] www. callape. com 1.800.210.5923