Concrete Costs, Fuel Spikes, and Survival in Construction Right Now

The construction industry is shifting fast—and if you're a contractor, you're feeling it. Rising material costs, fuel volatility, tighter margins, and more competition are forcing business owners to adapt or fall behind.In this episode, we sit down with Steve Baklarian of S&P Developments to break down what’s really happening on the ground. From pricing pressure and “race-to-the-bottom” competitors to how fuel spikes and supply chain issues impact your jobs, this is a real look at construction business today.We also dive into practical strategies: how to protect your margins, why educating your clients is more important than ever, and where the real opportunities are in today’s market—from niche commercial work to infrastructure-driven growth.👉 Learn more about Jobtable: https://www.jobtable.comSubscribe for weekly conversations with real contractors building smarter, more profitable businesses.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Customer Review02:00 – State of the Construction Market Right Now06:30 – CN Tower Inspiration & Industry Pride08:00 – Pricing Pressure & Competing in a Tight Market12:00 – Why Educating Clients Wins More Jobs16:00 – Fuel Prices, Material Costs & Margin Impact25:30 – Contracts, Clauses & Protecting Your Business38:00 – Hidden Profit Killers on Job Sites52:00 – Future Opportunities: Infrastructure & Niche Markets01:02:00 – Final Advice for Contractors