25 Things Every Contractor Should Consider Before and After Landing a Large Project

Every contractor dreams of landing a big job—whether it’s $20,000 or $2,000,000. But big projects can either transform your business or strain it. Success comes from preparing before you sign the contract and leveraging the project after completion.

Here’s a contractor’s complete checklist of considerations, strategies, and marketing moves to make every massive project a win.

Before You Sign the Contract – Planning and Risk Management

1. Estimate Realistic Timelines: Account for delays, inspections, and client changes.
2. Calculate True Profit Margins: Include labor, materials, equipment, insurance, and overhead.
3. Evaluate Staffing and Subcontractor Needs: Do you have the manpower or need extra help?
4. Consider Impact on Other Jobs: Will this large project prevent you from taking profitable smaller jobs?
5. Review Payment Terms: Can you manage cash flow if payments are 30, 60, or 90 days?
6. Protect Yourself with a Solid Contract: Avoid scope creep, unclear change orders, and late payments.
7. Confirm Insurance and Bonding: Ensure coverage for the project size.
8. Audit Equipment and Resource Needs: Determine if rentals, purchases, or subcontracting are required.
9. Research Client Track Record: Verify that they pay on time and maintain clean project sites.
10. Identify Risks: Plan for weather, supply chain issues, permitting, or financing delays.
11. Prepare Contingency Plans: Know how to handle budget overruns or schedule setbacks.
12. Align With Business Goals: Ensure the project supports long-term growth rather than becoming a distraction.

After Landing the Job – Marketing and Growth Strategies

Before the Project Starts

13. Include Marketing Rights in Your Contract: Protect client privacy while securing content rights.
14. Hire Professional Photography and Videography: Capture high-quality visuals from day one.
15. Plan Timelapse or Drone Footage: Show project progress in a visually engaging way.
16. Highlight Strategic Partnerships: Showcase collaborations with GCs, architects, or suppliers.
17. Pitch to Media and Industry Outlets: If noteworthy, get press coverage early.

During the Project

18. Launch a Social Media Mini-Series: Share behind-the-scenes progress to engage audiences.
19. Capture Authentic Team Moments: Show problem-solving, celebrations, and crew expertise. 
20. Record Client or GC Testimonials On-Site: Collect feedback while the project is fresh.
21. Document With Both Professional and Casual Footage: Create a mix of polished and relatable content.

After Project Completion

22. Collect Google Reviews: Include clients, GCs, and partners to boost credibility.
23. Build a Project Recap Hub on Your Website: Include SEO-optimized summaries, before-and-after visuals, and testimonials.
24. Publish Blog and Video Case Studies: Share lessons, timelines, and key successes to attract future clients.
25. Leverage the Project for Referrals and Recognition: Submit for awards, promote on social media, and send recap emails highlighting success.

Turn Every Big Project into Long-Term Growth

Most contractors don’t have the time, systems, or expertise to capture, polish, and strategically use all the content a big project creates. That’s where Contractors of Colorado comes in.

We act as your execution partner, helping with every step: reviewing contracts for marketing rights, capturing professional photos and videos (including drone and timelapse footage), collecting client and GC testimonials, creating SEO-optimized project blogs, running social campaigns, building project hubs on your website, and setting up referral systems.

Our goal is simple: to help you turn every massive job into a marketing machine that builds credibility, generates leads, and fuels your next big project.