Beyond Price and Quality Part Four: The Job Walk

One of the keys to a successful construction tender (request for bids) is an effective job walk. More often than not contractors are asked to view a potential site on their own without a project manager to explain the details of the job.  Asking contractors to view the site independently may seem the like easiest route to receiving proposal? But, without a proper job walk you will get large spreads in pricing because contractors will inevitably bid on different scopes of work.  Scope confusion and varying pricing, doesn’t sound effective? Avoid the headache, invest a little time and conduct a proper walk with your potential contractors.

Here are some tips:

1. Schedule a specific time for the job walk. You will not need more than one hour. Invite all four contractors to attend at the same time.
2. Use email to invite, it is easier than phoning. Request confirmation of attendance from the contractors via email.
3. Invite four contractors, so if one doesn’t show, you are covered.
4. Hand out your tender package to each contractor based on your budget quote. Review the basic specification and scope, your areas of includes and excludes and the submittal deadlines.
5. Set the key expectations: Submittal dates (two weeks), time frame (deadline for start and finish) and any unique requirements.
6. Walk the entire site with the group. Encourage clarifying questions. Now is the time to answer questions and get the entire group on the same page.
7. Red Flag: If a contractor calls with multiple questions after the job walk, it is a red flag that they do not communicate well and they will have a hard time meeting your specific needs throughout the job.
8. If an important change in scope occurs at the job walk send out an addendum to all bidders via email to keep everyone on the same page.

There you go, a few simple steps to achieving an effective job walk. More to come . . .