New GC - How To Get Invited By The Owner!

JT4SC

Hello everyone,
I am a new GC who wants to do new construction commercial work. The problem I am having is getting invited to bid the work. By the time I am finding out about the job the owner has already selected the GC's he wants to bid on the project. This may seem really elementary to most but I need some advise on how to get to the decision makers earlier than I am now to show them what I have to offer. Problem is I don't really know how to do that. Should I go by architects offices and drop my marketing material off?? Who else helps choose which contractors to invite??

Any help would be appreciated!!

SLSTech

Had 4 posts - 2 deleted hmmmm

1 post - states your in the asphalt business & you sub the work out?

If your legit, post an intro here & put your location in your profile

I would also suggest you start reading through the Business, Marketing & General Area's - come back with a properly phrased question with all the details needed (Commercial, Residential, Paving, Handyman, High End, Mid Range etc...)

FYI - there is one GC chosen in most cases - not multiple GC's

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

JT4SC

Wow, SLS Tech, I didn't know you were the post police... The other posts were deleted because I was new to the board and posted them under the wrong discussion topic. I was/am in the asphalt business, I just got my B license and I would like to get into GC work. I am in southern California. I am a Taurus. My wife is 32 years old.

What I want to know is how to get INVITED, not awarded, commercial bid opportunities. As a sub its easy to bid to the GC, they are banging down my door trying to get me to bid to them. As a GC I have not figured out yet how to get the owners to invite me to bid on their work. That is what I need help with. Does that make more sense now??

SLSTech

Send pic of wife

Get listed in the Blue Book is one way of getting invited to bid - company web site - research the topics listed above - get your CCR / DUNS

Good luck (FYI - putting your location in your profile helps others go, hey try this place, etc...)

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

Publisher1

Best way to get invited is to approach owners where you have some level of relationship -- presumably a starting point would be where you worked as a sub for projects they own. Other option is connecting/participating in relevant associations and groups frequented by the owners. You can sign on to the commercial leads services (fW DodgeReid/Bidclerk for data gathering on the open projects; the information allows you to set out some direct communication.)
Realistically, your chances aren't overwhelming until you build some track record and experience (or unless you are willing to risk with less than ethical/paying owners taking advantage of newbees), so I would look from the base of people you know first.

JT4SC

Great, thanks guys! I have Bid Clerk, but the listings almost always say "Owners have already selected a list of General Contractors" and "No inquiries will be accepted at this time". I would like to know how those contractors got to the owner in order for the owner to include them on his list. I will try your ideas, thanks!