ADA Contract

Complete Pro

Hey guys....I've been asked to bid an apartment rehab for a local retirement community to conform to ADA compliant dwellings. This isn't so bad because the person who runs the complex has provided me with architects plans so the bidding process is fairly straight forward.
The concern arises from the fact that this is being financed by a government grant and requires a fairly extensive amount of paperwork just in the contract signing alone. There are clauses concerning minority employment, surety bonds, sub-contractor minority employment, etc. etc.....
Have any of you ever done such a thing or have any advice? The apartments a approximately 600 sf and each in a 4-plex type building. As one finishes, and another empties, I just move on to the next. I would LOVE to land this job!!! It is only a few blocks from home and and looks fairly straight forward, and profitable.
ps...I've been doing residential remodeling for about 20 years, but always as an employee (laborer, lead carpenter, production manager), but, after careful planning began running my own company this winter. Although business hasn't been through the roof yet, it so far has kept food on the plate and the lights on. A contract like this would really be a boost to a start up like me, but again, I've never dealt with government contracts before. Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

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XanadooLTD

Our company has been doing govt/medicare work for 30+ years. It is a very good thing to get into...if you have enough money to start. I say this, because billing will be a problem. You have to have a medical billing company bill the govt. The govt gives you and approval number then you contact the govt again with the approval number...only after you get a sign off from an inspector. In most cases who gives the tennants the price that you were paid. Basically it is a "are you happy with this work for ??? amount of money." Some of the jobs we have done were paid 6 months to a year later. And from what i have heard on this site this thing hapens all over the country. You will probably also have very strict timelines, not properly staffed this could be a problem. You also better know your ADA code. I can tell you for one that if you are looking at multiple stories you will be looking at an elevator. The best thing to do is contact the governmental office that is funding this and get affiliated with that program. The govt office will tell you what licenses you will need. Good luck though. I hope everything works out for you.

Complete Pro

Thanks XanadooLTD...
I don't have to worry about elevators, or even the designs, all of that has been taken care of by the housing board for the care center. They tell me they already have the money in hand, from a grant that they procured, to do the work. Now it's just a matter of getting bids from contractors (myself and two others) and getting them approved by their board. The ADA code for these units is pretty straight forward, and the plans have already been approved by the city architect/engineer. I plan on bidding it fairly straight forward, as if I were working for a regular home owner, but make sure to add a little for the headaches that will most likely come from dealing with the unexpected, (at least by me), provisions of the contract requirement. Either way it will be an experience I can at least say I've had.

BuiltByMAC

I did one estimate for a gov't grant funded wheelchair ramp for an old folks home and was told at the estimate straight up - "Low bid gets it"

I didn't bother turning in a bid.

Good luck to you and your business (and welcome to the site) -

Mac