BiggerPockets

Most forms used for " bids" have the same, relatively generic jibberjabber, with key legal phrases and words that ARE important to you. You can purchase some at your local office supply store. However, the bulk of the proposal deals with the specifics of your project...YOU need to specify the materials, methods, and specific, detailed, scope of work. Typically the format is an RFP.....Request For Proposal. You can easily search the web for documents to model off of, depending on the complexity of your project. Larger projects will have architectural drawings etc. You need to specify time constraints, use of subs, warranties, disposition of punch lists, timing of payments, and a variety of other details, depending on the scale of the project.

Hello,

I have bought/sold/redeveloped about 90 projects (ie. 1 project may be a 43 unit condo, etc) so I have a lot of experience with this. Secondly, I have started my own contracting company and now own an Architect/engineering firm as well as a mortgage company. So I know what you're going through.

I can email you some forms that I have created/customized over the years. I'm not selling you anything - it doesn't cost me to send you an Excel spreadsheet.

Regards,

Rich

Hi All,

I am happy to provide you with a contractor's bid form. The one I'm attaching is by construction division and quite comprehensive.

I wish to warn any person who uses this form that the intention here is knowledge and communication. I do NOT recommend going with the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder doesn't have the insurance or cash reserves to fix problems or generate solutions WHEN (not " if" ) problems in construction arise.

Here it is:

I don't want to speak for Richman, so I look forward to his response, but my take on this is that this file looks like his budget worksheet as the general contractor. What you do with this that as you get the bids back from the subcontractors you fill in the bids so you get an overall view of the entire jobs costs. You don't give this to the subcontractors. It's either that or he uses this as a worksheet for his estimates. Every contractor has their own style so I hate to guess how he does things.

Maybe I misunderstood your original question but I took it to mean you were looking for something like specs so that every contractor is bidding the exact same scope of work. To me this worksheet does not accomplish that. Specs are always job specific unless you are a production home builder. Thats why it is so difficult to answer your question. I will work on something to give you a better idea of what I am talking about but for now I will share with you my worksheet I use when comparing subcontractor bids.

OK here is an example of some plumbing specs. I would attach these to my contract that I have my subcontractors sign and also attach their proposal but my contract and specs take precidence.

If you are hiring a general contractor to do the job then he should specify all details of the job in his contract (if they aren't already stated in the construction documents such as the drawings) with you similar to this. If you don't get these things in writing you may end up with many surprise C.O.s.

Hey Rich

I was hoping you could send me the spread sheet that you posted awhile back. Thank you.