From Army Engineer to Contractor: Systems, Estimating & Winning More Jobs

What does it take to go from military engineer to running a successful construction business? In this episode, Preston shares how he built his company from scratch — and the real lessons that helped him grow fast.We dive into the importance of systems, job costing, and why most contractors lose money on estimating. Preston breaks down how better organization, communication, and tracking your numbers can completely change your construction business.From landing early clients to finishing projects ahead of schedule, this episode is packed with practical insights for contractors looking to improve efficiency, profitability, and control.👉 Learn more about Jobtable: https://www.jobtable.comSubscribe for weekly conversations with real contractors building smarter, more profitable businesses.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Contractor Success Story02:10 – From Army Engineer to Business Owner06:45 – Residential vs Commercial Work Reality11:20 – Why Most Contractors Lose Money on Estimating16:30 – Systems That Improve Job Costing & Profitability22:10 – Corporate Construction vs Small Business27:40 – Leadership Lessons from the Military33:00 – How to Get Your First Construction Clients38:20 – Tools & Software That Actually Help Contractors44:00 – Final Advice for Contractors