You need a steady flow of jobs to keep your crew busy when you’re a contractor. Bidding on projects isn’t enough. Winning those bids is essential to the success of your business! These three tips for bidding on construction jobs will help your bid stand out.
1. Bid within your expertise.
Every project is an opportunity to enhance the reputation of your business. Bidding on projects you’re not equipped to handle, however, is one way to quickly damage your reputation. Before bidding on a specific construction job, consider whether or not your employees and subcontractors can do a good job on it. If not, passing on the project may be better for your company in the long run.
Even if a project is well within your expertise, winning the construction bid isn’t a guarantee. Ensure you’re following the owner’s instructions for the bidding process and ask for clarification if necessary. When you specialize in a specific type of project, it also makes it easier to showcase similar jobs to the one you’re bidding on in your proposal.
2. Rely on a professional estimator.
A professional estimating company takes care of the most important part of your bid: how much it will cost for you to complete the proposed project. As a business owner or manager, you don’t have time to estimate costs yourself. However, keeping an experienced estimator on staff adds to your overhead costs.
This is where a company like Chianelli Estimating comes in. We can put our expertise to work to ensure your bid is accurate. Accuracy is paramount; bid too high and your proposal will immediately be discarded. Bid too low and you may put the future of your company at risk. An estimating service for builders will also line-item specific costs, which can help the project owner understand what they’re paying for.
3. Build relationships.
Winning construction bids isn’t just about having the lowest total price. It’s also about building relationships with potential clients, as well as reputable subcontractors and estimators. This can be especially beneficial to your business when it comes to repeat business. Building trust with owners with multiple properties and projects can ensure work for your crews for years to come.