These days, there’s a lot of competition out there. You might be up against other bigger companies when submitting your tender bid and it can be tempting to just go in at the cheap end. But there’s a much better way of doing things.
Here are 12 ways you can start to win more contracting jobs without compromising your business.
1. Build Relationships
Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders such as clients, architects, and PQS (Project Quantity Surveyors) is crucial. Get to know them before you even submit your tender. It’ll give you insight into their needs and preferences, making your bid more attractive.
2. Develop Your Company Brand
Your brand is more than just a logo. It’s what you do, it’s your speciality and gives people a reason to care. Clearly communicate your company’s mission, values, and unique selling points. A strong brand identity helps you stand out in a crowded market and builds trust with potential clients.
3. Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Show off your problem-solving skills by mentioning past projects where you overcame a challenge, like a tight project deadline you were able to get over the line and how you did it. Clients are looking for contractors who can handle difficulties efficiently and deliver quality results.
4. Explain Your Supply Chain
Your supply chain is a reflection of your reliability and quality. Share details about who works with you and for how long. Highlighting your stable and experienced supply chain reassures clients you can clearly back up what you’re saying.
5. Ask for Referrals
Referrals are a powerful thing. Don’t forget to ask previous happy clients to refer you to others. Positive word-of-mouth does wonders for your reputation and has the potential to lead to more projects.
6. Speak the Truth
Honesty is key. If they have a specific material in mind that you’ve seen on another project that was actually poor quality, let your clients know. Giving honest, expert advice helps to build trust and position you as a contractor who cares about quality over quick profits.
7. Work with the Client
Show you’re willing to collaborate closely with your client to achieve their vision while staying within budget. Flexibility and a client-focused approach can make you a preferred choice over others who might not pay enough attention to what the client wants.
8. Show Off Your Work
Take pride in your work and show it off. This could be in a portfolio page on your website or on social media. It shows real results to clients and they can see proof that backs up the quality you talk about in your tender.
9. Show Similar Works
A great thing to do is to show examples of similar works you’ve completed in the past. For example, if you’re bidding for a refurbishment job, highlight previous refurb projects instead of unrelated work. It makes sense and gives your client more of an idea of what they can expect on their own project.
10. Be Responsive to Key Stakeholders
Don’t delay in getting back to queries, giving updates or being available for discussions. Show that you value the project and the stakeholder’s time. This professionalism will set you apart from competitors.
11. Say No to Some Projects
As much as you might want to, you can’t do it all. Say no to projects if taking them on would stretch your resources too thin. Focus on what you have at hand to deliver on time and within budget. Let stakeholders know you do this to ensure a quality result.
12. Show Your Interest
Show your genuine interest in each project. If something unusual is in the drawings or specifications or if you have local knowledge that will affect the job, but hasnt been factored, send a Request For Information (RFI). RFIs highlight your expertise, show that you’re thinking critically about the project, and that you take a proactive approach to addressing potential issues.
Conclusion
Winning more contracting jobs isn’t as difficult as it might seem, but it does need focus and attention. Get your business organised and follow the above advice to see things turn around as you start to bring in more projects.
If you need a hand with all these new requests, contact us today at Carroll Estimating to find out how we can help you grow your business and make more money with a seamless process from tender bid to final account.