Bid

Bids are the norm on public projects, commercial work and jobs where an owner or general contractor collects prices from several contractors for the same plans. The scope comes from the owner’s documents, not from you, so every bidder prices the same thing.

Public bids are usually sealed and opened at a set time. The award typically goes to the low bidder that is both responsive (the bid meets every requirement in the documents) and responsible (the contractor is qualified to do the work). Private owners can choose on any basis they like.

Read the whole bid package: drawings, specifications, addenda, bond and insurance requirements, schedule and contract terms. Missing an addendum or a required form can disqualify an otherwise winning bid.

On private bids, list your assumptions, exclusions and qualifications. On a public bid, qualifications can make the bid non-responsive, so ask questions through the RFI process before bid day instead.

A winning bid is only good news if it’s profitable. Bid from a careful takeoff and your real costs, not from what you think the competition will charge.