Help - First General Contracting Bid - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

LeeQuality · 07-25-2007, 10:49 AM

Good Morning! I am usually a subcontractor (stick with framing and trimming usually) and I have been asked to bid an entire remodel job. I have gathered all the numbers and done a ton of research, so I think I'm ready to start the proposal -- but, I have no idea what to include in the proposal. Do you usually organize in categories and give numbers for each? I am a little bit hesitant to give too many numbers as think that would lead to the customer nickle and diming me so to speak... Please Help!

C.C.R. · 07-26-2007, 04:31 PM

Proposal should list everything the customer gets for the price (scope of work). Also list everything he's not getting for that price (may be even more important than what he gets) One total price. You could break it down into catagories : Demo, framing, rock, etc. Yes I have had some people think the proposal is a menu and start picking and choosing what they want me to do and what they will take care of themselves. Make sure you have a clear payment schedule too. I almost whent under because of that on one job not to mention the customer was a PITA. As far as what work you will be and not be doing I think it should be as detailed as possible. good luck

LeeQuality · 07-26-2007, 06:18 PM

Thanks for your advice. Do you actually list price per category of project?
i.e. Demo and Prep -- explain scope of work -- $xxx
Framing labor and material --- explain scope of work, dated plan --- $xxx
Electrical labor and material --- explain scope of work, allowance for fixtures, etc. ---$xxx -OR- Electrical labor and material --- $xxx, Fixture Allowance --- $xxx etc. etc.

I know that in the long run the smaller details will work themselves out, but I would like to start with presentable proposal that relays the quality and professionalism of my work.

Also, I usually do three draws for my subcontracting projects - what is a reasonable draw schedule for a larger scale project? 10%-15% down, concrete-draw, dried in-draw, rocked-draw, completed-draw? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

C.C.R. · 07-28-2007, 07:14 PM

Price per catagory - you could if you want. I think it depends on the size of the job and the customer (sometimes, like I mentioned before, it encourages the customer to pick and choose what aspects of the project you will be handling) for instance: Your proposal, "Demo - $7,000" --- Your potential customer, " Oh I have a brother inlaw that can do the Demo for a bag of crack." But you can do everything else and you can start dropping your tools and supplies off ASAP. CRACKHEAD BROTHER INLAW + YOUR TOOLS =

Sorry, I don't know what came over me, I never had that happen to me or anything.

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Seriously though some customers do like to see where the money is going. How ever you are going to do it put EVERYTHING in writing -- details, details, details...

In my experience when the HO tries to be the GC everything gets dragged out that's why I'm kinda against them "handling" parts of the project.
I just reread your last post. YES always write in allowances. And I break that down to labor vs. material.

The cost of labor is the same for a $2.00 tile as it is for a $20.00 tile.

LeeQuality · 08-06-2007, 10:55 AM

Thanks for the advice! It's always appreciated!

compass69 · 12-05-2007, 02:51 PM

Does anyone out there have a comprehensive bid form they would be willing to share?
Steve