There is no denying the fact that construction is big business. The numbers provided by Statista.com, it is projected the global construction spending until 2025 will reach up to 14 Trillion US dollars.  That’s significant money, and construction companies all over the world are scrambling to get their share of this cake.

But did you ever how do these construction companies get projects? Construction companies, as well as subcontractors,  get most of their jobs thru bidding.

A construction bid is a process where the construction company presents a potential client with tender (also called a proposal) to build a building or manage a construction project.

To make sure that the construction bids are turned in their favor, contractors swear by one rule: high accurate cost estimates and lowest bid. These then all starts with looking at the construction plans usually provided by the client and doing a survey on the material quantity takeoff. The estimates will have to be in the Goldilocks zone, meaning, it shouldn’t be too high otherwise they might lose the bid, but it shouldn’t be too low either otherwise, the contractor won’t make any money.

It all looks simple from the outside, but there are many complexities and calculations involved to get the numbers right, and one of the best ways of making sure that your estimates are accurate, in addition to having experienced estimators on your team is to use a construction bidding and estimating software.

What is a tender software? A tender management software for construction or also known as a construction bidding software is a program designed for the construction industry to streamline the estimated construction cost for a project making the bidding process faster.  There are many types of construction bidding in the market, and one of it is bound to be perfect for your company.

With this in mind, how does a construction estimating management software help improve the construction bidding workflow? To understand and answer this question, let’s first take a quick look at the construction bidding process and how it all works.

            THE CONSTRUCTION BIDDING PROCESS

In construction bidding, the price is always a major consideration especially on projects like government construction where the owner (the government) must choose the lowest bid. However, in some projects, the firm’s qualifications will be treated as equal or in some instances more than price.

The basic bidding construction process will more or less consist of the following:

1. 1. Tender Solicitation

In this stage, the owner is looking for bids, and in doing so will provide a package of materials that includes drawings and other documents. This process is also known as RFP (request for proposal) or an RTT ( request to tender).

1. 1. 2. Subcontracting

Subcontracting usually occurs after a general contractor wins a bid. In this stage, a general contractor takes bids from subcontractors for small scopes of work.

1. 1. 3. Bid Submission

Builders submit their bids by a deadline.

1. 1. 4. Bid Selection

In this stage, the owner reviews all the bids and chooses who wins the bid.

1. 1. 5. Contract Stage

This phase finalizes the terms of construction and the legal team starts to write the legal groundwork for the project.

1. 1. 6. Project Delivery

In this phase, construction takes place.

TECHNOLOGY CHANGES THE CONSTRUCTION BIDDING PROCESS

The evolution of the Construction bidding software ever since their introduction about 20 years ago has changed the way estimators prepare bids, making it easier and more accurate.

Bid management software like Procore helps streamline the construction bidding process by managing subcontractor data, monitor communications, share documents, compare bids as well as make the most comprehensive bid package for owners. Here are some other ways that technology has changed the way the construction industry makes bids:

Increased Accuracy and Efficiency in Bid Estimates

Construction estimating software provides companies with tools to track important data like stored materials, back orders, and other things related to recent construction. The right construction bidding software allows your business to put together an estimate closest to the job’s true cost. It also provides cost accuracy for projects while taking into consideration labor cost as well as the total volume of materials. No more guessing game when it comes to price.

Using an estimating software is efficient to make your estimates, and track your company’s projects, win more bids, and free up time to dedicate more time to other equally important aspects of your company’s business.

                        Uniform and Professional Estimates All The Time

Construction estimating software allows you to create professional and uniform quotes, reports and cost estimation every time. And while cost plays a big part whether you get the bid or not, bids that look professional and uniform will allow you to get that professional edge that can set you apart from your competition.

Reduces Errors and Centralizes Information

Having a construction management software allows you to reduce numbers of errors made in the job estimate as well as keep data easily accessible all those involved in the bidding process including those out in the fields. These tools are especially helpful when accepting subcontractor bids.

Speaking of subcontractor bids, having subcontractor information stored in a centralized database can cut thru hours of the general contractor’s work of sifting thru, duplicating and updating subcontractor information before they can start to distribute bid information.