Commercial plumbing contractors can face periods when several tenders need to be reviewed and priced at the same time. Internal estimating capacity can become stretched when drawings, specifications, supplier quotations and scope documents all need to be reviewed before a tender can be submitted.
The benefits of external estimating support for plumbing contractors depend on how the additional estimating capacity is used. External support can take on detailed tender work while the contractor retains control over project selection, pricing decisions, and the final tender submission.
Manage Periods of High Tender Volume
Tender workload can increase quickly when several suitable projects reach the pricing stage at the same time.
External estimating support can provide additional capacity during these periods, allowing detailed takeoffs, scope of reviews, and cost build-ups to be worked through without requiring the contractor to increase permanent internal estimating capacity.
This can be particularly useful when tender deadlines overlap, and several projects require attention within the same period.
Keep Internal Resources Focused on Project Priorities
Detailed tender preparation requires time to review drawings, specifications, schedules, supplier information, and revisions.
When part of this work is handled externally, internal staff can continue working on other project requirements while the tender information is being prepared.
The contractor can still review the scope, pricing assumptions, and complete an estimate before submission. The external estimating work therefore adds capacity without removing the contractor’s involvement in the pricing decision.
Maintain a Consistent Tender Review Process
A high tender workload can make it difficult to maintain the same level of review across every opportunity.
External support for tender plumbing estimating can be used for specific parts of the estimating process, such as quantity measurement, material pricing, labour allowances, scope of review, and cost build-up.
The work should be based on the contractor’s project documentation and pricing requirements. This allows the same estimating process to be applied across different tenders while still allowing for project-specific conditions.
Handle Large or Detailed Projects
Some projects require considerably more tender documentation to be reviewed before a price can be developed.
High-rise developments, commercial buildings, civil drainage works, and complex fit outs can contain extensive drawings, specifications, and schedules. These projects may require detailed measurement and cross-checking across several documentation sets.
External estimating capacity can be used when the volume of work requires additional time and resources to complete the tender review properly.
Scale Estimating Capacity Without Changing the Core Business
Contractors do not necessarily need the same level of estimating capacity throughout the year.
Tender activity can vary depending on the projects being released to market, construction schedules, and the contractor’s current workload. External support provides an option for increasing estimating capacity when required without making a permanent change to the internal structure of the business.
The contractor can determine which tenders require additional estimating capacity and how much of the preparation should be handled externally.
Review the Completed Estimate Before Submission
External estimating support does not remove the contractor’s responsibility for reviewing the tender before it is submitted.
The completed estimate should be checked against the current drawings, specifications, supplier information, scope requirements, and project conditions. Any exclusions, assumptions, or areas requiring clarification should also be reviewed before the tender is issued.
This final review keeps the contractor involved in the pricing decision while allowing detailed estimating work to be prepared externally.
For commercial plumbing and civil drainage contractors who need additional estimating capacity during periods of high tender workload, ePlumbing Estimators provides project-specific estimating support based on the tender documentation and required scope.
