How do I get a construction project? It can be a walk in the park if you know what you are doing. Usually, it seems overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by gaining in-depth knowledge about the industry, hone your proposal writing skills, build strong relationships with potential clients, and consistently prove your reliability and expertise.
The objective here is to show that you can solve construction needs, even better than anyone else, and sooner. Then those contracts will flock in.
- Increase visibility by listing your company in business directories.
- Use websites like Construction.com and BidClerk to find potential projects.
- Develop competitive bids that highlight your unique skills and resources. Use online platforms to increase visibility and find project opportunities.
- Networking helps; attend industry events and connect with professionals to learn about upcoming projects.
- Build a reputation by delivering high-quality projects consistently for word-of-mouth recommendations.
How Do I Get a Construction Project?
Now, let’s take a more in-depth step into the process. Once you know how this works, it won’t be too difficult to get in motion and win construction projects for your company.
That said, follow these simple steps to get a construction project:
1. Get your company listed in business directories
Before you get that project, you want to be known. And this starts by making sure your company is listed in all relevant directories – both online and offline. You can use industry-specific directories as well as more general business directories.
When listed, you become more visible and it is likelier for potential clients looking for construction services to contact you for a project.
2. Use construction platforms
There are numerous online platforms where construction projects are posted. Some examples include Construction.com, BidClerk, and ConstructionWire, etc. These websites list projects from all over the country and can be a valuable source of potential work.
3. Develop really compelling bids
When you come across a project listed for bidding, you want the best compelling proposal to win it. Your bid should be competitive in terms of price but also demonstrate the quality of your work and your ability to complete the project on time.
Do not fail to highlight any unique skills or resources your company can bring to the project – potential clients love to read that part.
You can even showcase your past work (if any). Your potential clients want to know they are hiring a company that can deliver high-quality work. Simply include the following to enhance your proposal:
- Before-and-after photos
- Testimonials from past clients
- Detailed case studies of your most successful projects.
Organize every piece of information professionally, such as in a portfolio or on your company’s website.
4. Get an online presence
Make the most of online platforms like construction project portals, and tender websites to search for project opportunities and submit your company’s profile. This can help you reach a wider audience and increase your visibility.
Keep yourself updated with the latest happenings in the construction industry. Look out for government projects, infrastructure developments, and private projects that might need construction services.
The first step towards securing a construction project is identifying potential opportunities.
| Channel | |
|---|---|
| Construction Bidding Platforms | Websites like BidClerk, Construction Bid Source, and iSqFt list numerous construction projects up for bidding. |
| Networking | Connect with architects, developers, property owners, and others in the industry who can tip you off about upcoming projects. |
| Government Portals | Government bodies often have online portals that list upcoming public projects. A lot of construction projects are funded by the government. So, registering your company with relevant government agencies, like the National Highways Authority or Public Works Department, can increase your chances of securing government contracts. |
| Social Media | LinkedIn and other social networking platforms such as Facebook and Instagram can be excellent sources of information about new projects. |
You can also create a simple website to give your company a professional look. This is even a must-have online presence platform – it shows your construction company means business and will help to get a construction project.
5. Network and forge relationships
Put these into consideration:
- Attend industry events
- Become a member of professional associations, and
- Connect with other construction professionals and civil engineers.
A strong network can help you get a construction project since you get to learn about upcoming projects and potential partnerships.
Moreover, collaborating with consultants and architects could mean potential project referrals for your company. Collaborate with them to help establish your company’s credibility and expertise.
6. Invest more in your reputation
Don’t stop at just completing projects but try your best to deliver excellent jobs if you want to keep getting construction projects. Remember, word-of-mouth can be influential in the construction industry. If you consistently deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget, satisfied clients will be more likely to recommend you to others.
7. Submit bids and proposals
Once you identify and get a construction project that interests you, prepare a well-structured bid or proposal.
Make sure to highlight your company’s qualifications, experience, and competitive edge. Emphasize your ability to deliver quality work within the specified budget and timeline.
But before bidding, you need to be prequalified to verify your company’s capability to complete the project within the budget and timeline.
The prequalification questionnaire generally requires details such as financial records, past project history, insurance coverage, and safety records.
| Criterion | |
|---|---|
| Financial stability | Your financial records should show your company’s financial health and ability to handle the project costs. |
| Project history | Past projects demonstrate your experience and proficiency in handling similar projects. |
| Insurance coverage | You should have adequate insurance to cover any accidents or damage during the construction process. |
| Safety records | A solid safety record proves that you prioritize safety and adhere to regulations. |
8. Prepare the bid
Once you’re prequalified, you can bid for projects. Your bid should detail the cost of the project, the timeline for completion, and how you plan to execute it.
| Component | |
|---|---|
| Cost Estimate | A detailed cost breakdown covering materials, labor, equipment, overhead costs, and profit margin. |
| Project Timeline | An estimated completion date, taking into account possible delays due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. |
| Execution Plan | A step-by-step plan demonstrating how you will manage the project, including scheduling, resource allocation, quality control, and risk management. |
9. Follow-up and negotiations
After you make that bid, follow up with the potential client to confirm receipt and ask if they need any additional information. You want your company at the forefront of their mind. Moreover, it shows your interest in and commitment to the project. But don’t be too pushy.
The client reviews all bids and often negotiates terms before awarding the project. Stay prepared to discuss your bid, clarify your plans, and adjust certain aspects of the project if needed.
If your bid is accepted, you’ll receive a contract detailing all project specifics. Review it carefully before signing, and consult with a legal expert if needed.
How Construction Management Bidding Works
As a way of generalizing the procedure, let’s break it into phases.
Phase 1: Designing
The person who owns the project (the project owner) will get a design for the project from architects or engineers. This design will include blueprints and a list of materials needed for the construction (Material Take-Off or MTO).
Phase 2: Bidding
After the design is ready, the project owner will look for a construction company (the general contractor) to do the work. The process of choosing this company is called bidding.
Companies that want the job will offer a bid, which is a document with details like what work they will do, how they will get paid, and how much they think the job will cost.
The project owner can choose to get bids in two ways:
- Open bid. The project owner will tell everyone about the project and any company can offer a bid.
- Closed bid. The project owner will only ask a few specific companies to offer bids.
Phase 3: Choosing a Contractor
Once all the bids are in, the project owner will pick the best one using one of these methods:
- Low-bid selection. Simply pick the company that said they will do the job for the least amount of money.
- Best-value selection. Look at both the cost and the company’s skills to pick the one that offers the best balance of price and quality. The project owner will use a document called a Request For Proposal (RFP) to help make this decision.
- Qualifications-based selection. Focus on the company’s skills and experience. The project owner will look at each company’s Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to decide who is most capable of doing the job.
Phase 4: Contract Signing
Finally, when the project owner has chosen a company, they will both sign a contract that says how and when the company will get paid. After that, the bidding process is done, and the project can begin.
Platforms to Find Construction Projects
The difficulty is not finding a construction project platform but choosing the right tools from so many available options.
When deciding, consider if the construction cost estimating software can work together with other tools (like takeoff software) to make your work easier. Here are some top picks.
1. PlanHub
PlanHub assists subcontractors in finding and bidding on projects shared by local contractors. It also helps general contractors find more subcontractors for their projects.
Once you log in, you will see:
- Open projects needing bids from subcontractors
- Projects not in your area are removed, so you focus on those in your chosen location
You can get a free trial at planhub.com and if you find it useful, you can pay for one of their premium plans.
2. Dodge Data & Analytics
Dodge Data & Analytics helps you find jobs that suit your skills. It also cuts down the time you spend going through documents and handling bids.
With Dodge, you get:
- All details for early-stage projects and upcoming bids in your area
- Organization and management of the entire bid process
3. Construction Journal
With Construction Journal, you can make new contacts and get more business by providing you with the information you need. They have a big list of projects you can look at, including ones you might not know about.
For each project, you get:
- Contact details
- Bid dates
- Trades needing bids
- Plans and specs (if available)
- Filter projects based on your interests.
| Tool | Benefits | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Journal | Make new contacts, find new projects | Yes |
| PlanHub | Find and bid on local projects | Yes |
| Dodge Data & Analytics | Find jobs that suit your skills, get bid details | No |
Final Thoughts
Once you win the bid and get a construction project, work hard to improve your new relationship with clients. Show them that you can finish the work on time, within budget, and without any issues.
You could always suggest subcontractors you know or ideas to save money. Make sure your team is reliable, professional, and follows all rules – that’s all.
Read also: How to Identify and Prevent Cyber Attacks: Safeguarding Your Business
