I usually only got maybe 25% of my bids. I figured if you get all the jobs, your bidding too low. If you get no jobs, you are bidding too high. At about 25% acceptance i was making good profits and kept very busy. Personally I could not handle too many accepted jobs.
Funny thing is, sometimes i bid a particular job way too high hoping i would lose the job for one reason or another, and end up getting that job. They end up being good money makers, but still hate getting the job.
Im so glad i retired. I dont miss it at all. All i do now is home standby generator service at fixed rates. I can do quotes over phone, site unseen.