In this episode of The Bid Sheet for General Contractors, we expose the real cost of “free estimates” and why so many GCs are getting played—spending hours building detailed breakdowns (labor, materials, supplies, sequencing) just for the prospect to shop it, leverage it against their current contractor, or walk away with your expertise for free. We break down how the game has changed, why information is currency now, and the simple protections every GC should start using immediately: an estimating deposit credited if they sign, an estimate acknowledgement/waiver that limits sharing and bid-shopping, and a two-tier process where detailed breakdowns only come after commitment. We also tie it back to why commercial bidding is a more stable lane than homeowner-driven work.

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