Any contractor will tell you that the process of tendering is one of the most time consuming, not to mention nerve-wracking, parts of the job. You know that you’re going up against rival firms, you want to make sure that you’re not underselling yourself or the amount of work that it’s going to take, and you want to make sure you get your bid in quickly enough to show that you know your stuff and that your incentivised, but not so quickly that you rush through it and miss something important. You also want to show that you’re up to date with the latest information from the government.

If you’re looking for a way to make the whole process a little less overwhelming or time-consuming, here are a few tips to help you knock it out of the park every time.

Make The Most Of Every Available Resource

Putting together an estimate can sometimes make you feel like you’re sprinting to the finish line, and that everyone else has heard the starter’s pistol before you did. What is important to remember is that, even though speed is of the essence, you need to show that you have what the others don’t. One of the best ways to do that is to use the expertise of the people around you to make sure that every base is covered. Don’t be afraid to ask the opinions of your colleagues, after all: you trust their expertise on the job! Researching your potential client will also help you to gather some insight on their specific priorities and business ethos.

Embrace New Technology

We all have the same image of what putting together an estimate looks like, and it tends to include print outs, sheets filled with numbers, and an awful lot of stationery. However, it’s really not necessary to put yourself through so much time-consuming paperwork, especially when you’ve almost certainly got other projects and tasks to be focused on! Now, there’s estimating software for builders that can streamline the whole process by stripping out all the unnecessary elements and focusing on what matters. If you want to learn more about how estimating software can save you time and get you ahead of the pack, RapidQuote has a detailed break-down of how their programme works. They also have plenty of glowing reviews to prove that it works.

Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses

Anyone who has to pitch for work knows that it’s an endless hustle to keep the work rolling in and make sure that everyone is getting paid. With the economic outlook continuing to look uncertain, this concern has only grown more pressing. As a result, some contractors will end up bidding on projects that they may not be that well suited for and losing time and potentially other work as a result. Before you get to work on writing a tender, think carefully about whether this is something that you will be able to deliver. And remember: always make sure to ask for feedback on your tenders. Even if it’s a no from them, you may be able to identify previously unnoticed weaknesses that you can address in future.