Bidding - Plumbing Zone

I'mYourTourGuide · 06-26-2008, 01:19 AM

I'm new to the bidding process of a commercial job and was curious of how it worked.

We done a school about 2 years ago and the supplier (Ferguson) won that bid, the supplier bid. . So that kinda threw me for a loop .. . I'm use to pricing labor & material or just labor on a job. .

How does it work to bid a big commercial job in?

Plumber_Pete · 06-26-2008, 10:50 AM

I believe that it is your responsibility to bid material and award that bid. Depends on the job, but I have seen some where all fixtures are provided by the owner and some that require the plumber to supply. But all floor drains, primers, backflow devices, floor sinks stuff like this you need to bid.

**ILPlumber** · 06-26-2008, 06:23 PM

We bid jobs based on materials, labor, and profit. Don't normally bid jobs where someone else supplies material. I want to make a markup on it and the customer wants a turn key complete job. If I supply something and there is a problem, I fix it. If the owner supplies it, it gets a little sticky if there is defective materials.

GrumpyPlumber · 06-26-2008, 06:30 PM

I'll take a stab at this with what little I know on commercial bidding.
It's a numbers game, bid as many jobs as you can, bid high and wait to see what comes back.
Your better off not getting larger jobs at low rates than getting high cost jobs at under-bids.
I have seen my share of new shops loose their shirts when they fall a few weeks behind and cannot make payroll before the next incrimental check is due.
I saw a comment elsewhere on this forum about Ferguson bidding commercial jobs(?)...
IF thats so, forget it...you won't match their stock pricing...which arouses questions on whether it's true that they do plumbing and whether it's not an illegal conflict of interest.

Killertoiletspider · 06-27-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrumpyPlumber

I saw a comment elsewhere on this forum about Ferguson bidding commercial jobs(?)...
IF thats so, forget it...you won't match their stock pricing...which arouses questions on whether it's true that they do plumbing and whether it's not an illegal conflict of interest.

It is not unusual on large commercial projects for the GC to get a quote on the fixtures and supply them to gain the markup that can be made on them.

What you are bidding is going to dictate what parameters you use to bid it, a school would be much different than a high rise, because government work is going to be prevailing wage, and you can bid it exactly as drawn because government jobs only have to meet BOCA code. A high rise you have to bid a bit different, because if you have someone on staff that can do design, you can work with the architect after you are awarded the job to start eliminating stacks, an eliminated stack can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars saved on the job. High rise work is all about being able to size and design systems that can provide for the building with the fewest number of stacks.

**Bill** · 07-18-2008, 06:54 PM

I do plumbing for a GC who is in WVA and he supplies all materials. I just do labor. Sometimes I have had GC's give me thier labor number and wait to see if i can do it for that amount.

Killertoiletspider · 07-18-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USP45

I do plumbing for a GC who is in WVA and he supplies all materials. I just do labor. Sometimes I have had GC's give me thier labor number and wait to see if i can do it for that amount.

Labor only is a poor way to run a business, it makes it very difficult to cover any mistakes you may make when estimating it.

**Bill** · 07-18-2008, 07:29 PM

yeh, I know. But I had a bad year. My son got into trouble and my wife asked (Told) me we had to bail him out. We did, he skipped court. Cost me 90,000.00

Put me in one hell of a bind. Dont have much money to back up materials right now. Am getting back out the hole soon.

Lesson, kids get locked up, tough luck

22rifle · 07-18-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USP45

yeh, I know. But I had a bad year. My son got into trouble and my wife asked (Told) me we had to bail him out. We did, he skipped court. Cost me 90,000.00

Put me in one hell of a bind. Dont have much money to back up materials right now. Am getting back out the hole soon.

Lesson, kids get locked up, tough luck

Sorry to hear that man. Really am. Proud of you for going on.

**Bill** · 07-18-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22rifle

Sorry to hear that man. Really am. Proud of you for going on.

Thanks. Its not been easy. Thats why I can not afford the materials on larger commercial jobs. I am not scared of them, aint nothing but pipes. I am just determined to get my share of what this world owes me and whosever share that dont want it!

06-26-2008, 01:19 AM	#1
I'mYourTourGuide Chase Plumber Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chase Wall Posts: 287 My Photos	Bidding I'm new to the bidding process of a commercial job and was curious of how it worked. We done a school about 2 years ago and the supplier (Ferguson) won that bid, the supplier bid. . So that kinda threw me for a loop .. . I'm use to pricing labor & material or just labor on a job. . How does it work to bid a big commercial job in? __________________ Your #2 is my #1!

07-18-2008, 06:54 PM	#6
Bill Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: I have no idea! Posts: 5,867 My Photos	I do plumbing for a GC who is in WVA and he supplies all materials. I just do labor. Sometimes I have had GC's give me thier labor number and wait to see if i can do it for that amount. __________________ Virginia Plumbing Codes Virginia Department of Licensing Ones intellect can often be summed up by his own words Everything in the known universe is governed by "Cause and Effect", there is no getting around it. Think about what you do before you do it.

07-18-2008, 07:29 PM	#8
Bill Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: I have no idea! Posts: 5,867 My Photos	yeh, I know. But I had a bad year. My son got into trouble and my wife asked (Told) me we had to bail him out. We did, he skipped court. Cost me 90,000.00 Put me in one hell of a bind. Dont have much money to back up materials right now. Am getting back out the hole soon. Lesson, kids get locked up, tough luck __________________ Virginia Plumbing Codes Virginia Department of Licensing Ones intellect can often be summed up by his own words Everything in the known universe is governed by "Cause and Effect", there is no getting around it. Think about what you do before you do it.

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06-26-2008, 10:50 AM	#2
Plumber_Pete Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 My Photos	I believe that it is your responsibility to bid material and award that bid. Depends on the job, but I have seen some where all fixtures are provided by the owner and some that require the plumber to supply. But all floor drains, primers, backflow devices, floor sinks stuff like this you need to bid.

06-26-2008, 06:23 PM	#3
ILPlumber Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: IL Posts: 5,308 My Photos	We bid jobs based on materials, labor, and profit. Don't normally bid jobs where someone else supplies material. I want to make a markup on it and the customer wants a turn key complete job. If I supply something and there is a problem, I fix it. If the owner supplies it, it gets a little sticky if there is defective materials.

06-26-2008, 06:30 PM	#4
GrumpyPlumber Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 572 My Photos	I'll take a stab at this with what little I know on commercial bidding. It's a numbers game, bid as many jobs as you can, bid high and wait to see what comes back. Your better off not getting larger jobs at low rates than getting high cost jobs at under-bids. I have seen my share of new shops loose their shirts when they fall a few weeks behind and cannot make payroll before the next incrimental check is due. I saw a comment elsewhere on this forum about Ferguson bidding commercial jobs(?)... IF thats so, forget it...you won't match their stock pricing...which arouses questions on whether it's true that they do plumbing and whether it's not an illegal conflict of interest.