Usually one of four reasons: bidding the wrong jobs or GCs, carrying scope that other bidders excluded, costs or markup out of line with the market, or a proposal the GC couldn't compare. Track every bid and its result, ask the GC where you landed after award, and the pattern tells you which one it is.
Too far from your strengths: the wrong size, the wrong type, or a GC who only shops your number. Deciding bid or no-bid before you start saves the estimating hours.
You carried more scope
Other bidders excluded what you included. That's not a reason to cut scope; it's a reason to state your scope clearly so the GC compares like with like.
Your numbers are off
Labor units, rates or markup out of line with the market. Compare estimated hours with actual hours on the jobs you won.
The proposal was hard to compare
Vague scope, missing alternates or unit prices, no addenda listed. A GC sets those proposals aside, or levels them against you.
Track it, then fix it
1
Log every bid
Job, GC, bid date, your price, the scope you carried, and the hours you spent estimating it.
2
Ask for the results
After award, ask the GC where you landed and, if they'll say, the winning number or the spread.
3
Look for the pattern
After a few dozen bids, sort by GC, job type and size. Win rates usually differ a lot between them.
4
Change one thing at a time
Stop bidding the GCs that never award to you, tighten your exclusions, or recheck the labor units in the system where you're always high.
Questions estimators ask
What's a good win rate for an electrical contractor?
It depends on how selective you are. A shop that bids everything wins a smaller share than one that only bids the jobs and GCs that suit it. Track your own rate by GC and job type; the trend matters more than the number.
Should I lower my markup to win more?
Only if you know your costs are right and the market price is lower. Cutting markup on a job where you carried more scope than everyone else just makes the loss smaller when you win it.
Can Bidprobe help me win more bids?
It helps with two of the reasons. The bid / no-bid position helps you pick the jobs worth estimating, and the recommended qualifications and exclusions make your scope clearer to compare. It doesn't set your price.
Pick the jobs worth your nights.
One free bid check on every new account, no card required. Most checks come back in 5 to 15 minutes.