When getting bids for construction, it can be quite a daunting process. When you reach out to a general contractor and ask for a bid, you may not hear back for several weeks, if at all. What is the builder doing during this time? Why won’t they just send you an estimate like you want?
There are many reasons that the builder is not as responsive as you would hope. The most common reason is that the builder is devoting more time to a currant project rather than speculating on yours. Estimates are typically free, but they can take time and energy to write, especially if the project is complex. We need to predict the costs of all materials both rough and finish, the cost of up to 10 different trades without even speaking with them, and judge the overall complexity, timeline and contingency of a project based on a brief walk-through. So while the builder may have the best intentions, writing estimates is something we often do at 10pm once the day is over, the kitchen is clean and the kids are in bed, and this means it is usually a last priority. Another reason is that they simply don’t want to do your project. Maybe the work is unappealing or unfeasible at the price the client wants. Finally, many bids are difficult to put together. When a builder reaches out to suppliers for the price of materials, they often don’t respond for days or even weeks. And when they reach out to sub contractors for say, the price of plumbing on this job, they often take a long time to respond and put their numbers together.
Upon receiving a bid from your builder, you might encounter a lack of responsiveness, often due to various reasons. This suggests that your project holds less urgency compared to the active construction. Another factor contributing to the builder’s lack of responsiveness may be their recent submission of five bids to other clients. They await responses to determine if any projects were accepted. Typically, out of these bids, two projects may not materialize, while one could be awarded to a different builder. The remaining two projects might be awarded to the builder you’re considering, leading them to prioritize those clients over you. When there are an excess of projects and not enough builders, general contractors hold the power and can not respond, drive the prices up and generally pick and choose their projects. Conversely, when there are not enough jobs and too many builders, the client has the power to bargain the price down and dictate terms. In Seattle for example, during the summer, there are an excess of decks, roofing and siding projects that need to be done due to the prior 6 months of rain, and you might find yourself in a situation where you simply cannot find a general contractor to do your job in your budget or on your timeline.
In the end, it falls upon the builder to discern the most favorable opportunity. Factors such as profitability, logistical convenience (e.g., parking, storage space), and proximity to their base are evaluated. Additionally, the builder assesses the prospective client relationship, considering potential challenges (basically, are you going to be a giant pain in their ass?). These elements collectively influence the builder’s decision to engage with a specific project. Ultimately, your significance to them may not align with your perception.
Selecting the right builder resembles a committed relationship. It requires dedication, patience, and a touch of luck. Collaborating, empathizing and having a respectful relationship with your builder is crucial. They bear the weight of executing your project efficiently and within budget. This endeavor is demanding, so fostering a cooperative partnership greatly contributes to overall success. If you would like to learn about our new IOS application JobSync, that helps us manage complex construction projects, please visit www.innate-aec.com/shop. If you’d like to learn more about our project management or construction process, visit www.innate-aec.com/about, and if you’d like to get started on a new construction or general remodel project, please visit www.innate-aec/contact.
There are many reasons that the builder is not as responsive as you would hope. The most common reason is that the builder is devoting more time to a currant project rather than speculating on yours. Estimates are typically free, but they can take time and energy to write, especially if the project is complex. We need to predict the costs of all materials both rough and finish, the cost of up to 10 different trades without even speaking with them, and judge the overall complexity, timeline and contingency of a project based on a brief walk-through. So while the builder may have the best intentions, writing estimates is something we often do at 10pm once the day is over, the kitchen is clean and the kids are in bed, and this means it is usually a last priority. Another reason is that they simply don’t want to do your project. Maybe the work is unappealing or unfeasible at the price the client wants. Finally, many bids are difficult to put together. When a builder reaches out to suppliers for the price of materials, they often don’t respond for days or even weeks. And when they reach out to sub contractors for say, the price of plumbing on this job, they often take a long time to respond and put their numbers together.
Upon receiving a bid from your builder, you might encounter a lack of responsiveness, often due to various reasons. This suggests that your project holds less urgency compared to the active construction. Another factor contributing to the builder’s lack of responsiveness may be their recent submission of five bids to other clients. They await responses to determine if any projects were accepted. Typically, out of these bids, two projects may not materialize, while one could be awarded to a different builder. The remaining two projects might be awarded to the builder you’re considering, leading them to prioritize those clients over you. When there are an excess of projects and not enough builders, general contractors hold the power and can not respond, drive the prices up and generally pick and choose their projects. Conversely, when there are not enough jobs and too many builders, the client has the power to bargain the price down and dictate terms. In Seattle for example, during the summer, there are an excess of decks, roofing and siding projects that need to be done due to the prior 6 months of rain, and you might find yourself in a situation where you simply cannot find a general contractor to do your job in your budget or on your timeline.
In the end, it falls upon the builder to discern the most favorable opportunity. Factors such as profitability, logistical convenience (e.g., parking, storage space), and proximity to their base are evaluated. Additionally, the builder assesses the prospective client relationship, considering potential challenges (basically, are you going to be a giant pain in their ass?). These elements collectively influence the builder’s decision to engage with a specific project. Ultimately, your significance to them may not align with your perception.
Selecting the right builder resembles a committed relationship. It requires dedication, patience, and a touch of luck. Collaborating, empathizing and having a respectful relationship with your builder is crucial. They bear the weight of executing your project efficiently and within budget. This endeavor is demanding, so fostering a cooperative partnership greatly contributes to overall success. If you would like to learn about our new IOS application JobSync, that helps us manage complex construction projects, please visit www.innate-aec.com/shop. If you’d like to learn more about our project management or construction process, visit www.innate-aec.com/about, and if you’d like to get started on a new construction or general remodel project, please visit www.innate-aec/contact.
