- Published on:
- 4 min read
Table of Contents
Understanding how to bid construction jobs is key to winning more construction projects and work. A construction bid can be confusing if you don’t fully understand the construction bidding process on a construction project or how to bid construction jobs.
From understanding what a construction bid should look like to how to put together a bid on a construction project, you might have many questions. So, we’ve got a quick rundown on the process of bidding a construction job, both as a general contractor, or GC, or as a subcontractor.
Key Takeaways
- Finding projects that are the right fit starts with knowing where to look — use platforms like PlanHub to search for opportunities by keyword so you're spending time on jobs that actually match your scope of work.
- Assessing a project before you commit saves you time and money — review the scope, size, location, and your current workload before deciding whether a bid is worth pursuing.
- Getting your takeoff right is the foundation of a competitive bid — calculate your materials, labor, and installation time carefully, then apply your markup, overhead, and profit to arrive at a price you can stand behind.
- On bid day, be ready to respond quickly and clearly — GCs may ask you to revise your proposal, so staying responsive and flexible gives you a real edge over competitors who go silent.
- The earlier you engage in the preconstruction process, the better your chances of winning work — building relationships with GCs before bid day puts you in a stronger position when it's time to go to contract.
How to Bid Jobs as a Contractor
1. Find jobs to bid
If you’re lucky, a project owner will send you an RFP or RFQ directly and ask you to bid on their construction projects. Otherwise, you’ll need to bid on construction projects on construction job lead sites and general contractor software, like PlanHub, the owner’s website, a construction bidding website, and bid exchanges.
2. Assess the project
First, you need to determine if the project type is a good fit for your company. Indicators include the scope of work, the amount of work or size of the project, the location, and your current workload.
3. Send invitations to subcontractors
If you decide to bid on the project, you’ll need to invite subcontractors to perform each trade. You’ll write up an invitation to bid (ITB) and post it on plan lead sites, or send it directly to subcontractors you want to invite.
4. Takeoff
The general contractor takeoff usually involves a list of the scopes of work and quantities shown on the bid document. During the bidding process, you’ll be answering subcontractor questions and submitting RFIs. Additional bid documents may be issued during the bidding process, and they’ll need to be distributed to subs and suppliers.
5. Bid day
If the contractor was selected for the project, they will enter into negotiations with the project owner on contract terms and price. Once an agreement has been reached, the contract is written and signed by the contractor and the owner.
6. Negotiate with the owner
If the contractor was selected for the project, they will enter into negotiations with the project owner on contract terms and price. Once an agreement has been reached, the contract is written and signed by the contractor and the owner.
7. Buyout
After signing the contract, the general contractor selects subcontractors for their team and issues them contracts and purchase orders. Negotiations are still possible at this point.
8. Start the project!
How to Bid Jobs as a Subcontractor
1. Find jobs to bid
A general contractor may send you directly an invitation to bid on a project, or you may have to search subcontractor bidding sites, like PlanHub. PlanHub allows you to search project documents by keyword, so you can quickly find jobs that include your scope of work.
2. Assess the project
Review the bidding documents to determine if the project is a good fit for you and your team. Things to look at include the scope of work, the amount of work, the location of the project, whether any specialty products are required, and your current workload and schedule.
3. Takeoff
If you decide to bid on the project, you’ll start with a material and labor takeoff. This is a list of all materials and equipment needed for the project, along with calculations for how long it will take to install. It is the basis of your estimate. If you have questions about the project, you can submit them to the general contractor to follow up with the owner or design team. Once you have your costs estimated, you add markup and overhead, and profit to get your proposal price.
4. Bid day
On bid day you’ll submit your proposal to the general contractors bidding the project and answer any questions they may have. They may ask you to revise your proposal, this is common. Each general contractor submits their bid to the owner, and the winning GC is selected.
5. Go to contract
If the winning GC for the project selects you, you’ll start negotiations and eventually go to contract. Once the contract is signed you are ready to …..
6. Begin work!
From crafting a construction contract, to understanding the different types of construction contracts, to the bid process, it can all feel confusing. There are many construction bidding websites or subcontractor bidding sites, like PlanHub, that can help you find opportunities. Visit PlanHub for a free demo and help for finding work.
Resources
How to Decide Which Construction Jobs to Bid On: A Subcontractor’s Framework for Choosing the Right Projects
Quick AnswerDecide to bid on construction jobs based on a combination of project evaluation factors, including whether a project would offer a profitable return based
How Subcontractors Miss Scope and Lose Money in Takeoffs
IntroductionConstruction takeoff mistakes and scope gaps in construction estimates can be a harsh hit to your margins, resulting in higher costs down the line for
Value Engineering for Subcontractors: How to Present VE Options That Win Work
IntroductionA low price bid often wins the job, but it can also mean racing other subcontractors to the bottom bargain price. So how do subcontractors
Related Posts
