Smart contractors know the bids on these contracts are just for looks and show. The bidding game is to give the right number to get the award, not necessarily price the job correctly.
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Monthly Archives: April 2009
A Failure To Communicate
April 27, 2009 – 8:19 am
The communication failures include may sources, some of them quite innocent and some that are downright wrong.
Friday Tip – Project Documentation
April 24, 2009 – 8:26 am
One of the most important areas of contractor documentation is at the craft level on a project. This is also the least prioritized area of training by contractors. While the project managers can identify the “before and after” conditions, the craft on the project can identify many of the important facts that impacted the installation. [...]
When Are Prices Too Low or Too High?
April 22, 2009 – 6:31 am
Construction prices are not like determining prices for refrigerators, cars or other durable goods produced in factory. These items have material costs and consistent production costs that can be readily determined for a given volume of production. Costs can be determined before the item is put up for “sale” to the customer.
Low Bid – Biggest Mistake – Everyone Loses?
April 20, 2009 – 7:51 am
When a mistake happens or a contractor is “goofy low” at bid time, it is likely the owner is in for a difficult project.
Friday Tip Estimate Reveiw
April 17, 2009 – 8:18 am
You’re preparing a detailed estimate with all the details including assumptions and qualifications for a client and you want it to be perfect, before you submit the estimating package prepare and present it to your worst critic, to the guy that always telling you the sky is falling, telling him you have the perfect estimating [...]
Was your bid the right number?
April 15, 2009 – 7:14 am
Contributed by Mark Mentele, Mechanical Estimator at Tempest Company.
Low Bid – Most Thinking – Everyone Wins!
April 13, 2009 – 8:33 am
I hate admitting it but I have been out thought a couple of times in putting bids together. One memorable lesson on being thumped by the competition out thinking us was done for a project that involved extensive overtime and seven day work weeks, or so it was thought. We had been bidding and performing [...]
How to Develop a Feasibility Estimate
April 8, 2009 – 7:14 am
Feasibility estimates are different than the traditional detailed estimating used in competitively bid projects. A feasibility estimate requires the estimator to have a good overall knowledge of all construction disciplines and historical cost data to develop the estimate based on minimal information. Prior to starting a feasibility estimate background information is needed. This information includes [...]
Friday Tip – Historical Cost Data
April 6, 2009 – 8:46 am
Using cost data that is more than one month old is risky in today’s construction market. Commodities are fluctuating due to conditions beyond “usual or customary” construction supply and demand. When using historical information perform a double check on your cost data by reviewing commodity prices for the past month, six months, year and five [...]
