You found a project that’s a great fit for you and your team. Now you have to win it by putting together a stellar bid. But dozens of other metal roofing contractors are bidding on the same project, so how can you stand out from the crowd and put together a proposal that wins?
In this article, we’ll outline seven ways you can put together a winning bid. These tips come straight from a general contractor in Northeast Ohio – Bob LaRosa, Director of Business and Development at J.L. Moore.
1. Step Into the GC’s Shoes
Before you even start putting together your bid, put yourself in the shoes of the general contractor (GC). Imagine running on tight 3-week deadlines, going through hundreds of bids per project, trying to track down contractors for clarifications, managing various communication channels – it’s a hectic job.
GCs look for clarity in bids. The more information they have, and the easier it is to read, the better chance you’ll have of winning the project.
2. Look for Clarity Early
Ask questions early on in the process for any needed clarifications. GCs will have a little time right after they send the bid out to subcontractors to answer questions and clarify. This is when you want to ask questions and get those details so you can put together a comprehensive proposal.
Sometimes even asking the right questions can make you memorable and get you on the GCs list of preferred subcontractors for future jobs.
3. Find Out Whether the Bid is Competitive or Negotiated
With negotiated bids, GCs will already have been awarded the bid for a project and are collecting bids from subcontractors. Other times, they’re still competing for the bid, in which case finding a lower number from a subcontractor might be more important.
While you shouldn’t lower your price drastically just because a GC is still competing for the bid, it’s valuable to have that knowledge as you start putting one together. Finding ways to lower your cost, such as offering alternatives to more expensive products, can help make your bid more attractive. Keep in mind you will still be responsible for performing to all the specification requirements. Don’t cut corners when it comes to specification compliance.
4. Know What GCs Are Looking For
Your bid will need a baseline of information to be considered for the project. This is what GCs look for in winning bids:
- Comprehensive scope: GCs don’t like to be surprised when work starts, so they want to see what your strategy is for the project, supported by concrete details.
- Knowledge of the project: Show your knowledge of this unique project by providing value engineering through alternative products that could meet the functionality of the roof while saving the client money.
- Relevant experience: Detail any experience you’ve had in the past that positions you as a trusted choice for this project.
- Contact info: The bid is often shared and forwarded to various people throughout the process. Be sure to include all of your contact info on the bid itself, so that others know who to reach out to when they have questions.
5. Make Your Bid Stand Out
Small actions can add up and make your bid stand out:
- Submit early: Submitting your bid early will give the GC more time to review and follow up with questions before their deadline approaches.
- Attend pre-bid walkthroughs: Sometimes the GC hosts pre-bid walkthroughs. Attend these if you’re able, so that you understand the job site and its unique conditions. It helps inform your bid and signals to the GC that you’re serious about the project.
- Value engineering: If you do include alternates, be sure to note this clearly in the bid, and list it as a deductible alternate from the base bid.
6. Understand The Lowest Bid Doesn’t Always Win
GCs aren’t looking for the lowest bid. Instead, they’re looking for the lowest qualified bid – one that outlines the entire scope of the project, with a contractor attached that has the knowledge and experience, the crew, and the support to get the job done.
If it comes down to two bids and the prices are similar, it probably won’t be the dollars that make the difference. It’ll be who offered the most compelling proposal and built trust with the GC throughout the bidding process.
7. Follow Up and Get Feedback
It will likely take a couple days for the GC to review your bid. If you haven’t heard back after a week, you can send a follow-up email to see if they’ve looked it over. This shows you’re still interested in the job. And even if you don’t win the bid, ask for feedback to see how it compared to others, and what you could have done differently to create a stronger proposal. You can use this feedback to build better bids in the future.
Following up respectfully, especially when you don’t win the bid, also shows the GC that you could be good to work with in the future.
Looking for More Support for Your Commercial Metal Roofing Project?
Putting together a bid is hard work, and all of that comes before even winning the project. Support from a reliable metal roofing supplier can provide you with the technical expertise to put together a bid that stands out.
Sheffield Metals International, a leading provider of metal coils, sheets, and accessories, has a Commercial, Architectural, and Technical (CAT) team that can get you the information you need. Plus, we offer free articles, videos, and downloads in the Metal Roofing Learning Center, like these related pieces of content:
The 3 Best Metal Roofing Panel Profiles for Commercial Applications – Sheffield Metals
Contact us today to get support for your next metal roofing project.
