Page 277 - TCDB combined Book

254 The Complete DESIGN BUILDER

Subcontractor Estimating:

The portions of your proposal estimates that you will be unable to quantify in your
estimate format will require pricing by outside subcontractors including their supplier and
manufacturers material costs. "Tendered type Proposals" with more complete drawings,
information and specifications will be the easiest estimates to obtain accurate quotations on. The
"Custom and Qualified" proposal estimates will require pricing to be completed from
preliminary Outline Specifications and possibly sketch type drawings. The selection of your
subcontractors for these particular proposals should be based on their ability to accurately
estimate on these minimum information proposals, and fully realize the nature of your
company’s objectives and goals. Subcontractors that traditionally quote on firm, detailed,
precise documentation may not meet your more flexible needs, and this may not be apparent
until you have used their quotation to secure a design-build contract. The key point here is to
establish a good rapport with a number of competent, competitive subcontractors for all the work
phases and divisions you will require outside quotations for.

The advantage of maintaining an ongoing friendly contact with competent and
competitive subcontractors is to ensure secrecy and confidence in the exchange of prices and
design information. The ideal arrangement would include exclusivity with any subcontractors
quoting on your project requirements, in exchange for your assurance of a contract award if
you're successful in obtaining the prime contract. The key points in establishing these important
relationships are mutual trust, sincerity and full cooperation in the information exchange on all
proposal estimates, therefore; "Know Thy Subcontractors."

Professional Estimating:

There will be projects that will not reach the full proposal stage and yet require accurate
pricing. Maintaining an ongoing friendly relationship with numerous design professionals will
enable you to solicit budget pricing based on their professional expertise in determining accurate
costs without a complete design. Understanding the minimum basic information that will be
required for accurate feedback from your design professionals is the key point. Remember the
design professionals that provide these early stage budgets for your complex and unique projects
should be rewarded with the final design-work on any secured contracts. The ongoing
relationship with a selected group of design professionals for all the major disciplines will be
immeasurable. Establishing your company as a bonafide Design-Builder along with the
credibility and professionalism in your proposals and contract documentation should be evident.