Bidding is inescapable in the construction industry. Typically, projects require construction companies like yours to create a detailed proposal that includes specific information about your business, the scope of work proposed, limitations and exceptions to the project, the total cost estimate for the project, timelines and other salient information.

Crafting a strong bidding template can help your company secure work and please clients, which can translate into a positive reception and being awarded more jobs in the future. However, the cost information contained within the document must be accurate to avoid negative outcomes that can harm your reputation. Keep this advice in mind as you create your next bidding template.

The keys to developing a winning bidding template

Create a consistent, professional easy-to-read document

The perception of your bid is greatly influenced by presentation. Your business may have an excellent reputation that proposes fast timelines and modest costs under budget, but if presented poorly, your business will have a much lower chance of being awarded the job.

Use a consistent bid form and process for the best results. You can create a basic form or download a template online - Microsoft offers a free construction bid form that’s available with its Office suite, for example. Using a consistent template that has enough space for pertinent information, enables you to perfect your process and craft complete, professional bids that can help your business win jobs for years to come.

Conduct research to customize your bid

Although many construction projects can be very similar to others, no two are exactly alike. Whether it's massive, new industrial construction or a small addition to a single-family home, unique factors ranging from material requirements to the soil underneath the planned foundation can lead to special considerations.

Each project is made up of a wide range of specifics that can impact deadlines, costs, labor, and equipment needs, just to name a few. As a result, it is highly beneficial for you to gather as much information as possible about the project before you assemble your bid document.

This additional intelligence gained from research can help you project more realistic expectations for the job. Plus, the person or organization running the bid process will have confidence that you have a comprehensive understanding of the task to successfully overcome any obstacles that arise during the course of the job.

Bid for construction projects strategically

Bidding on several projects at once may initially seem like a good strategy. In some cases, however, there are certain circumstances where making many bids will help your business. Typically, issuing too many bids can stretch your resources too thin and make it more difficult to complete all the contracted work on time. Bidding on complicated projects in areas where your company doesn't have the necessary experience or expertise may result in your business losing money and delivering substandard results.

Instead, you might consider focusing your efforts on finding projects that appear to be a good fit for your current structure, capabilities, and resources. These projects can give your business the opportunity to invest more time into attending pre-bid meetings, researching costs, double-checking measurements, and ensuring the bid is competitive, relevant, and attractive to your potential client.

Focus on positive results

A great bid is extremely informative, carefully crafted for each project, and offers competitive and realistic estimates for time and cost. Make sure you have included all necessary information, present your bid in a complete, professional manner, and only bid on projects that are a good fit for your current abilities. Using these tips as a guide can help you make progress and lead to positive results for your business.