As a concrete contractor, the hardest part of your job, other than gathering the right information, bid documents, and submitting your bid, can often be bidding concrete jobs. PlanHub for Subcontractors is the fastest, easiest way for concrete contractors to find funded projects and streamline bid preparation — so you can get there before the competition.
Bidding on concrete jobs requires careful planning and cost estimation. As a concrete contractor, submitting an accurate, competitive bid is essential for winning projects and running a profitable business. Follow the right process to craft bids that cover expenses while also appealing to clients.
This guide will walk through the key steps needed to put together strong bids for residential or commercial concrete work
Understand the Project Scope and Goals
The first step is fully understanding what the concrete job entails Review project plans and specifications in detail before bidding Important factors to note include
-
Project type New construction, remodeling, repair? Different project types impact workflow
-
Concrete specifications: Strength, finish, color, stamping, sealing? Specialized concrete costs more.
-
Amount of concrete: Volume in cubic yards needed for slabs, footings, walls. Calculate precisely.
-
Site conditions: Consider aspects like space to work, soil type, access points. Site challenges add labor time.
-
Deadlines: Confirm project duration and completion date expectations. Rush timelines increase labor costs.
-
Special requirements: Determine if specialized equipment, materials, or techniques needed.
Also discuss the client’s goals and priorities directly. This insight helps tailor the bid and meet their needs.
Estimate Costs of Materials
Material expenses make up a significant portion of concrete job costs. Calculate these accurately based on specs.
-
Concrete: Estimate precise quantity needed in cubic yards, get recent quotes from suppliers. Factor delivery fees.
-
Formwork: Total up lumber/plywood for forms based on area and dimensions.
-
Reinforcing materials: Include rebar, welded wire mesh, fibers as required. Don’t forget ties and spacers.
-
Finishing materials: Account for sealers, coatings, stamping tools, and release agents.
-
Equipment rentals: Estimate fees for mixers, vibrators, saws, etc. if needed.
Consider waste and overage too – add 5-10% to material estimates. Get updated quotes as you finalize the bid.
Estimate Required Labor Hours
Accurately gauging the labor hours needed is crucial for bidding competitively while still covering wages.
-
Review each task: Estimate hours for forms setup, rebar, pouring, finishing, curing, cleanup etc.
-
Factor site conditions: Account for any site access or space limitations that may increase time required.
-
Consider crew size: Total hours depend partially on number of workers.
-
Compare to past jobs: Reference similar past projects to help estimate.
-
Add contingencies: Pad estimates by 10-15% for unexpected issues that may arise.
Capturing all labor time required prevents losing money by underbidding.
Determine Your Markup and Profit Margins
With costs calculated, decide what profit margin to build in. Most bids add a markup of 20-35% to cover overhead and profit. Consider:
-
Overhead costs: Account for expenses like equipment upkeep, office space, insurance, permits. These must be covered.
-
Target profit: Aim for an adequate but competitive margin – 15-25% is often reasonable.
-
Market factors: If demand is high, you may justify higher profits. Adjust for current market dynamics.
-
Risk factors: Complex sites or accelerated timelines may warrant higher margins to offset risk.
Bidding too low just to win jobs leads to financial issues. Price for fair profits.
Put Together the Bid
Now compile costs into a professional bid summary. Include:
-
A clear project overview and specifications
-
Itemized cost breakdown – materials, labor, rentals
-
Overhead and profit margins
-
Total bid amount
-
Payment terms and invoicing schedule
-
Project timeline and milestones
-
Bonding information if required
-
Standard contract terms and conditions
Providing this information shows clients you have a solid grasp of the project scope and requirements.
Adjust the Bid If Needed
Sometimes initial bids come in higher than expected. In these cases, look for areas to trim costs further.
- Use lower cost materials that still meet specs
- Negotiate discounts from suppliers
- Optimize labor estimates
- Reduce profit margins slightly
Cutting corners too much is unwise but modest adjustments can help be more competitive.
Key Takeaways on Bidding for Concrete Jobs
Creating accurate, detailed bids is imperative to succeed in the concrete business. Following a thorough process that accounts for all variables will lead to competitive, profitable bids.
Key steps include fully scoping the project, nailing down precise material and labor costs, factoring in overhead, and determining adequate but fair profit margins. With the right bid amount and terms, contractors are much more likely to win quality jobs that bolster their bottom line.
FAQs about Concrete Projects & Bids
There is an average of over 3,000 funded projects per month, making it easy for prospective bidders to find work.
We make searching for concrete jobs as well as the bidding process simple. Using your geographical coverage area and selecting concrete as your trade, you will get a list of matching jobs and projects. You can also filter your list by construction type, project type, building use, bid date, and sector and labor status.
Yes! We make sure that each project in PlanHub includes necessary drawings, specs, and plans.
Yes! One of the biggest advantages of submitting a bid proposal within PlanHub is that you can submit your concrete bid to all general contractors linked to a project at once. This makes bidding far more efficient — saving you and your team hours of paperwork.
How to Bid Concrete Jobs in 2023 (Estimating Concrete Jobs for Maximum Profits)
How do I bid on a concrete job?
Here is how to bid on concrete jobs: 1. Discuss the client’s goals In order to create an accurate bid on a project, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the client’s expectations for a concrete job. In addition to closely reading the posting if bidding on a posted job, if possible speak directly with the potential client.
Can a concrete contractor bid for a client?
As a concrete contractor, you’re likely to get the bulk of the jobs your company has through bids. This applies to residential, commercial, and industrial jobs alike. However, putting together a bid for a client is more than just throwing together an arbitrary number.
How does concrete bidding work?
With that said, generally, concrete bidding follows a three-part phase. Solicitation: Learning how to bid concrete jobs begins not with the concrete company, but with the client. The client starts by sending out an invitation for bid (IFB) or request for proposals (RFP).
Why should you bid for a concrete job?
Providing the client with a realistic bid per their budget can set you apart from the competitors on your radar. This is often necessary if the stipulated budget is low as expected. As you bid for the concrete job, know that a client will appreciate seeing an array of options for cutting down particular costs or doing things differently.
