Why chase for contracts when you havent got a hope in hell of getting them?

[Pebbs]

I thought things were getting better on the works front. I have enough work to carry us through for a while yet, and have been flooded with quotes for the past few weeks. Well you know what thought did.

Two clients sent me through drawings for the same project, this happens sometimes, they both get the same prices no matter what the relationship is with them. The job is for Gordon Ramseys new eating place at One New Change, quite a nice contract, toilet fit out, reception, kitchen and back of house. One of the tile suppliers specified rang me back today, and said Lynn do you know how many stone companies are tendering for this job...I say 6? she said no 17 enquires so far! So what chance do I have of getting this contract...I would estimate NO CHANCE! tomorrow, Im ringing both clients and telling them its a no quote from us. The outcome will be this...at the end of the day they will go for the cheapest, and that wont be us, I cant compete with firms paying their lads £10m2 for ceramics, and as little as possible for the stone works.

Sign of the times I guess.

Lynn

 

[doug boardley]

it's not always the low quotes that win jobs tho' Lynn. Reputation can always win contracts too.

 

[Dan]

Chin up pebbs. if it's a no quote you've spent little time on it. I think you knowing that there are 17 enquiries so far shows you've got the right contacts, I bet not all 17 of them know there are so many (and probably a few more to come).

Deffo a sign of the times though as you say.

 

[White Room]

It's to hear different views about work, still a volitile market out there

 

[david campbell]

IMO you would as well put a tender in........nothing lost nothing gained,i've won jobs albeit domestics at higher prices bcause customers feel more comfortable with my opinions and reputation

 

[hillhead]

Trying times for big and small by the sounds,Lynne your work speaks volumes

 

[Colour Republic]

You know that game better than me but from past experiance cost isn't always a factor if you can keep certain promises. The main contractors know that if it falls behind because of some **** up by an in-experianced firm it's going to cost them dear by having to throw money at it. I certainly wouldn't want to be the one to tell Gordon Ramsey he'll have to cancel the opening night

 

[david campbell]

if 1/2 of them thought along the lines that there's no point tendering then it would be down to 8 quotes

 

[DHTiling]

Lynn.. Get that quote in.. You just never know..

 

[doug boardley]

...and don't give us "I can't be bothered" lame excuse:lol::lol:

 

[The D]

you have to be in it to win it IMHO

 

[White Room]

Thats the lottery deano......

Maybe you are right, lifes a lottery

 

[Pebbs]

Doug you know how to hit home...:incazzato::incazzato: Ok I'll flipping drag the drawings out tomorrow... Im still convinced its a no goer, but I'll bang a quote in.

Thanks

Lynn

 

[Scott]

YEah Lynn you sound like your tiler you werent happy with, Mr cant be bothered?

On a different note supposing you quote and the other 16 dont???

 

[Spud]

its a lot of work putting a price together and if its 2 main contractors sending you the drawings they havent been awarded the job yet ,when i get drawings from the estimation department of any contractor I normally bin them ,they dont award the work and only use your price as a guide price for the main contract tender, once they have the work and the q.s sends me drawings then i am interested and will put the effort in pricing the job spec and also offer value options

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I'd agree with Gary - your doing their work for them at no expense.
17 is an awful amount of competition/quotes and in times of cost effectiveness we all have to analyse our time.

 

[SandyFloor]

What I used to do when I was in construction as a subbie was to complete and return the more desirable tenders as requested. I would then find out, usually with a call to the architects, all the other main contactors pricing the same job and then call the estimators and forward it to them. After that I would regularly call a main contractor estimator and ask if they'd been successful and if not who was.

You then have the contractor who has the contract and it's no problem to find the name of the QS who will have a copy of your tender. Then you have a name to pester and have a far greater chance.

Just a thought because I hated pricing for someone who was also pricing so I made sure the the contract winner had my tender and it quite often paid off.