Estimating & bidding · General contracting
Get more bids out without more estimators.
ITBs pile up with overlapping due dates while the team grinds through manual takeoffs and inconsistent sub quotes. Good opportunities get no-bid because the clock ran out.
The reality
Most bids never get submitted.
An estimator can only chase so many invitations at once. Plans come in on iSqFt and BuildingConnected, subs send back quotes that don't line up scope to scope, and good opportunities get no-bid simply because there wasn't time to assemble a number.
The operator runs the full bid cycle. It reads the drawings and specs, builds the quantity takeoff, solicits and levels sub coverage by trade, applies the labor and markup model, and assembles a complete, apples-to-apples proposal before the deadline.
How the operator runs estimating & bidding
Bid #2024-0631 · Takeoff
quantifying- Concrete — CY quantified
- Structural steel — tonnage
- Drywall — SF from A-series sheets
01Read the ITB and take off
Pulls drawings and specs from BuildingConnected, runs quantity takeoff by trade, and builds the bid form structure.
Sub coverage · Bid #2024-0631
leveling- Mechanical — 3 quotes, leveled
- Electrical — 2 quotes, leveled
- Plumbing — chasing third bidder
02Solicit and level subs
Sends scoped ITBs by trade, tracks coverage, and normalizes returned quotes to a common scope of work.
Proposal · Bid #2024-0631
submitting- Labor + burden applied
- General conditions priced
- Qualifications + exclusions — finalizing
03Assemble and submit
Applies labor rates, GCs, and markup, builds the proposal and qualifications, and submits before the bid clock closes.
The outcome
2× bid volume with same estimating headcount
Accurate, competitive bids out on every opportunity.
- Fewer good ITBs no-bid for lack of time
- Sub quotes leveled to a common scope before they hit the estimate
- Proposals assembled and submitted ahead of the bid deadline
Common questions
Estimating & bidding
- What does the Estimating & bidding operator do?
- The operator runs the full bid cycle. It reads the drawings and specs, builds the quantity takeoff, solicits and levels sub coverage by trade, applies the labor and markup model, and assembles a complete, apples-to-apples proposal before the deadline.
- What impact does the Estimating & bidding operator have?
- 2× bid volume with same estimating headcount. Accurate, competitive bids out on every opportunity.
- How does the Estimating & bidding operator work?
- Pulls drawings and specs from BuildingConnected, runs quantity takeoff by trade, and builds the bid form structure. Sends scoped ITBs by trade, tracks coverage, and normalizes returned quotes to a common scope of work. Applies labor rates, GCs, and markup, builds the proposal and qualifications, and submits before the bid clock closes.
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