Bidding Contracts

moko14

I just recently went on my own doing drywall and painting, and have just kept busy with a couple of friends that are builders, my question is that I want to expand out some, how do I approch other builders to bid on thier work?

justplayn

Do you know any other builders or have tried any print advertising or calling those listed in the phone book?

GoodPainter

Maybe you could try looking in your phone book under contracters and call some up to schedule a meeting or let them know about your services. It might be better to go to the office in person and give them a business card and/or letter about what you have to offer.

You can even drive around to new development to find the busy contractors and get their number off their signs. YOU may not want to go on the job site for legal reasons tho

Robert

moko14

How would one approach them when I walk in Im sure alot will just turn you away like in a phone call

theworx

I'm sure if you came to them in a professional manner with business cards and a portfolio of work you've done (including references) they would give you a few minutes of their time. In the time you get, you have to sell yourself, your work, and present yourself properly. Not as scary as it might seem. Most of the people you will talk to started out just like you and probably appreciate what you're trying to do (because they've been there). Good luck and walk in there with confidence ...

I also believe that it's better to show up in person than just make phone calls or send letters. To me it would show you are truly puting an effort in!!!

K_Tile

Walk-ins are unprofessional IMO, thats called solicitation! My time is limited and I cant always find it to meet the schedules I already have. Depending on the size of your town and the volume of the builder there are several ways of working it.

Cold calls will give you an idea of what that particular builder is looking for.

You: Hi my name is “?” and I’m interested in subcontracting with your company.
Them: OK! Please fax your price list to # and we will get in touch.

Good Luck with that approach! If they are desperate it will work. You need to have a name. What works? Stop off at a construction trailer and speak to the CM or PM of the subdivision. Get a name of the contact in the purchasing dept or whomever controls “contractor relations” and then call.

Cold call…

You: Hi! May I speak with Bob the Builder?
Them: One moment, please!
Bob: This is Bob
You: Hi Bob! My name is “?” and I was talking with PM @ subdivision and he told me to contact you about subcontracting with your company.
Bob: OK! What do you do?
You: Paint and Drywall
Bob: Do you have a price list?
At this point two things can happen..

1. If you reply with a one word, yes, he will just want you to fax a price list. This leaves you with nothing but a piece of paper with numbers to sell your company. And the ball is in his court.

Or you can…

2. Say yes, I do. Can we set up a time to discuss in more detail what your requirements are? This leaves you with unlimited ways to sell yourself and you canget a feeling on how serious they are in needed of someone.

Thats my take!

moko14

Thanks for the input guys! If anyone else has any opinions I would love to hear them. For you guys that are builders GC's Do you often look at new subs? or only when ones aren't working out?

cssconstruct

I am always willing to give somebody a chance. I may not turn you loose on a whole house the first time, but I am always looking for people that do good work. I will usually give them a smaller project ( drywall repair, small room paint, work on a deck with my guys) and see how it goes. We were all the new guy at sometime, and somebody had to give us a chance.