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From Subcontractor to General Contractor – A Strategic Growth Transformation

Industry: Civil Construction
Engagement Start: Q4 2023

Services Provided: Estimating, Project Management, Health & Safety, Strategic Growth Consulting

Overview

In late 2023, Smart Sites Consulting partnered with a rapidly growing construction firm that had built a solid reputation as a subcontractor in the civil sector. While their 2023 revenue was in the mid-7 figures, their leadership team knew they had the capability—and ambition—to take on more.

However, breaking through the barriers to become a prime contractor on public and private sector projects required a strategic shift in operations, positioning, and internal structure.

Challenges

Heavy reliance on subcontractor roles (90% of contracts)

Limited visibility in competitive municipal bid markets

Inconsistent estimating practices and overreliance on reactive bidding

Underdeveloped project management systems for running full-scope jobs

Lack of internal resources to navigate COR® readiness, RFPs, and complex submissions

The Smart Sites Solution

Smart Sites Consulting deployed a multi-phase support strategy:

1. Estimating & Bid Development

Revamped the company’s takeoff and bidding process using Smart Sites’ in-house estimators

Introduced systems for bid-leveling, scope alignment, and client-specific pricing strategies

Targeted General Contractor (GC) roles through strategic bid selection

2. Project Management Support

Provided full project management support, managing projects from beginning to end.

3. Strategic Growth Planning

Created a roadmap to transition from subcontractor to GC including:

Branding and proposal language overhaul

Guidance on securing bonding and insurance upgrades

Advising on team expansion

4. Client Positioning & Compliance

Guided COR-aligned health and safety implementation

Implemented proposal packaging for municipalities, school boards, and large asset managers

results:

Revenue increased by 69.5%, now exceeding 8-figures

% of work as a General Contractor increased from 10% to 90%

Became prequalified with multiple municipalities and school boards as a prime contractor

Won their first $3M+ self-performed project in early 2024

What this proves:

With the right systems, strategic direction, and expert support, a strong subcontractor can successfully evolve into a competitive and profitable GC, even in under 12 months. Smart Sites Consulting isn’t just a back-office service—we’re a growth partner for ambitious construction firms ready to scale.

We’re Here to Help

Whether you need one-time support or a long-term partner, our team is ready to assist. Let’s talk about your goals.

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