Construction bidding jobs are widely available in both the private and public sector nationwide. You can land jobs in construction bidding if you come to the table with the right credentials. While entry-level positions handling construction project bids are prolific, the better paying jobs in construction bidding require industry knowledge that only comes from training and experience. To pursue careers in bidding for construction projects you should accumulate as many certificates and degrees as you can.

Look for training opportunities in construction bidding through online construction job costing programs and through contacts and connections you can make in the industry. Use all the tools available to you to find the best education in commercial construction bidding. There are a number of avenues you should pursue as you continually upgrade your training for construction project bidding.

1. Peruse online training in construction job costing

2. Find training in through construction bidding trade groups

3. Enlist the help of construction job costing experts

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Watch for training for online construction bids

Take the time to regularly watch the employment sites, as you look for opportunities online to advance your construction bidding career. You'll find a number of online training programs that will be most helpful as you search to upgrade your skills and credentials. Check out the requirements and look for training to make you more suitable for the position you seek.

I recommend: Get a free hour of continuing ed classes when you sign in to participate in the numerous selection of industry courses at the American Institute of Constructors. Find certifications and other industry classes that are made available online through the American Society of Project Estimators.

Look for construction projects training through associations

While you are pursuing a career in construction job costing, you also should be accruing a list of connections that will help you throughout your career. Trade associations are great places to get involved with experienced professionals and make those important contacts. At the same time, most associations offer a wide variety of professional development courses that will look good on your resume.

I recommend: Look for opportunities to take classes, attend seminars, get certifications and meet other industry pros through the Construction Institute. Look for educational opportunities that are approved and accepted by the members of the Professional Construction Estimators Association.

Enroll with construction project bidding programs

Recruiters and headhunters know the landscape and can point you in the direction of the companies that may hire rookie project bidders to help estimate construction project bids. Send your resume to recruiters so that they can at least know about your credentials and your availability. Update the service with a new resume after you complete additional certificate courses.

I recommend: Make arrangements to get certified and trained at the HUB Contractor Business Academy. ITT Tech can provide the opportunity to get a bachelors degree online in construction management which will include complete training in the bidding process.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find a construction bidding manager that is willing to mentor you while you continue your training in construction bid leads.

Construction bid leads are the proverbial dangling carrot; creating excitement among associates and employees alike. Avoid jumping on construction bid leads too quickly though, before you’ve had time to count the costs.

Determining the costs of materials is crucial in the beginning of construction project bids. All components involved must be considered. Forgetting to figure the cost of hinges and hardware on cabinet jobs, for example, can eat away at your profit after construction bidding. Knowing some basics can help small construction bidding companies.

1. Calculate the cost of labor into construction project bids. Bidding for local construction projects allows you to use sub-contractors with which you’re already familiar. Knowing their rates, reputations and readiness makes bidding for construction projects simpler.

2. Factor in “inflation cost” of materials when bidding a job that won’t be started for 6 months or a year. Remember that material costs continue to rise.

3. Add in the cost of extra liability insurance. Bidding on jobs for large companies or corporations requires more liability insurance than small construction bidding companies do.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Construct a construction bidding image

Getting active in the construction bidding arena and bidding on as many jobs as possible gets you in the public eye and establishes you as professional. Jump on in nationally and attract more clients as you find construction bid leads.

I recommend: Sign up for membership at NationalContractors.com and get exposure to online construction bids in both residential and commercial fields. See government jobs listed also. Other online tools to find construction bidding opportunities include BidClerk, ConstructionWire, Dodge and Onvia.

Write a constructive construction bidding cover letter

Present yourself professionally. Putting your best foot forward catches attention.

I recommend: Use a template to help you write a bid cover letter that will grab the attention of potential customers. Help yourself win more profitable bids when you check out a free demo of construction solutions software.

Indicate your efficiency when bidding for construction projects

Being a good time manager, planning and tracking all aspects of a construction job from bid to bidding farewell will help you win bids and compete successfully with other construction bidding companies.

I recommend: Check out software that can help you with planning and tracking jobs. Use a portfolio management tool to impress future clients. Create a professional-looking estimate for construction bidding with small business financial software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Bidding for construction projects successfully requires time, patience and perseverance to accomplish consistently. Find a mentor in your particular field who has been bidding jobs successfully for years and learn all you can.

Construction bidding continues to evolve as Internet usage grows and more construction bidding companies learn how to make the most of online users. Construction bid leads online is one of the largest growing segments in the commercial construction bidding industry, with more tools and consultants available to help every business owner find the construction bids and RFPs that will earn them the most money and provide the resources they need to grow their business.

Construction project bids remain strong as more online construction bids break ground with new software products and quicker turnaround time. Construction job costing can be packaged to take advantage of market fluctuations and bulk purchases. Follow the construction project bidding news and trends through industry magazines, online resources and trade associations. Stay in the loop with current information on construction project bidding news and trends in a number of ways.

1. Follow trends in construction bidding online

2. Subscribe to the most popular construction bid leads reports

3. Meet with construction bidding companies to get the latest information

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use online construction bidding news services

As construction bidding companies learn more about how developers navigate the Web and use their Internet connections, they are becoming savvier about making their information more accessible. B2B Internet commercial construction bidding processes are available to those who know how to navigate the information on the Web.

I recommend: McGraw Hill Construction's Dodge Reports is the leader in publishing construction bid opportunities but Construction Wire is a good lower cost alternative. Subscribe to free trials of the regular updates and reports. Onvia specializes in residential and commercial construction bid leads.

Stay on top of construction bids information

To remain competitive and make sure you are getting the best deal you can, you need to stay informed about the latest news affecting your industry. Find niche publications that can narrow your focus and regularly feed you with the important news that you need so have each day.

I recommend: Reed Construction Data has a number of magazines and news reports that can help you keep in touch with the latest bidding news on the web. Construction Journal brings you news from around the country that you can use to make decisions fro your company.

Get involved with construction job costing pros

You often can hear about the latest news affecting your industry before it even hits the press from a good networking group. Find ways to interact with your peers and be prepared to give and get important information on news and trends that you've picked up.

I recommend: The Associated Builders and Contractors keep members updated with the latest news affecting bidding through their website and association publications. Check out the latest news headlines and detailed reports that you need when bidding on jobs at the Associated Specialty Contractors website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Give employees time each day, when you can, to read an industry publication and present regular reports on construction project bids that they've found.

General contractors submit bids on construction projects with the hope that their company will be chosen for a proposed construction project. Bids are one of the most important parts of the selection process on construction jobs. General contractors submit their bids to the owner or client of the proposed construction. But general contractors also solicit bids from subcontractors, too. Construction project bidding key terms are used for both creating bids and soliciting them.

Action Steps
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Bid or Bids

Contractors bid on a project. A bid is the best estimate of what a proposed construction project will cost to be built. A bid shows a cost breakdown of the different charges for the work to be performed. It includes the cost of the materials and supplies, the number of laborers, how many hours it will take and the hourly rate for laborers on the job. It includes the cost of using a subcontractor for electrical work or any other subcontractor that will be used on the project. A bid will also include a notation as to what overtime charges will be. It will include an estimated start and end date to the project. Bids are also called estimates.

I recommend: Software Advice shows different options for construction bid software and contains demonstrations of bids and estimates.

Building material

Building material includes wood, nails, glass, paints, and all material items that go into a construction project. The cost of all the building materials to be used on a project is a line item on a bid, usually noted with the words 'cost of materials.'

I recommend: The Free Dictionary defines building materials using a list of many items that are necessary to construction projects.

Cost of labor

Cost of labor is the calculation of how many people in what capacity will be required to complete a project. Hourly rates for each laborer have to be calculated for a bid, along with overtime terms, such as when overtime is applicable and how it will change the cost of labor.

I recommend: Service Magic defines cost of labor and also provides important advice about calculating the cost of labor.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance is the coverage you have for third party claims and any other problems or calamities that are the result of your neglect or misconduct. Without liability insurance, you may not be hired for a construction project.

I recommend: Entrepreneur gives an informative definition of liability insurance, why it is necessary and what it covers.

Subcontractors

Subcontractors are usually specialized contractors that are used in building projects. General contractors solicit bids from subcontractors and hire them for specific work on the project. Electricians are often subcontractors, as well as air-conditioning contractors and painting contractors.

I recommend: Legal Dictionary defines subcontractor and provides pertinent information on the role subcontractors play in construction projects.

Inflation rate

Inflation is the rise in the cost of goods over the course of time. We all live with inflation but in construction project bidding, inflation costs need to be factored in if the project is going to be long-term.

I recommend: Investor Words provides a basic definition for inflation rate.