The construction industry is evolving, and General Contractors are facing new challenges. Compressed timelines and incomplete architectural drawings—now the norm—make securing accurate subcontractor bids more difficult than ever. So, how do you move forward with a hard bid when the details are still unclear? This challenge becomes even more difficult when it comes to structural steel.
The Changing Role of the General Contractor
Traditionally, GCs could rely on a full set of drawings at the outset of the project. Today, however, GCs are often involved earlier in the design process to help shape and resolve incomplete drawings and to maintain momentum on the project. With compressed timelines and evolving design details, GCs must often secure bids for critical components, like structural steel, before all of the design details are resolved. In this environment, GCs are not just contractors—they are collaborators, tasked with finding solutions as the project evolves. The need for flexibility and speed, particularly in the procurement of materials, has never been greater.
This creates a challenge—many steel subcontractors will inflate their costs to protect themselves.
Given the uncertainties that come with incomplete plans, steel subcontractors often build in a cushion to cover potential risks or changes. While this approach helps mitigate their own risk, it can lead to inflated bids, which ultimately hurt your bottom line. It’s a frustrating reality—because as a GC, you want competitive pricing, but the need for subcontractors to safeguard themselves against unforeseen changes makes it harder to secure the best deal.
With incomplete or evolving plans, it’s essential to choose a subcontractor with experience navigating changing details.
Experienced steel subcontractors can assess the available information, identify potential risks, and submit bids that reflect the realities of the project—even if the final design is still in flux. In today’s fast-moving construction environment, adaptability is essential.
Partner with a trusted steel subcontractor who is adept at adjusting to design changes and offering solutions to keep the project moving forward without compromising on quality. Look for a steel subcontractor who can help you identify areas to save costs rather than inflate them.
Key qualities to look for in a steel subcontractor include:
- Experience with Incomplete Plans: The ability to interpret incomplete or evolving designs and submit reliable bids based on available information.
- Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of steel construction and fabrication, ensuring accurate cost estimates and material specifications.
- Strong Communication: The ability to work closely with GCs, architects, and engineers, providing clarity and insights during the bidding and subsequent detail drawing phase.
Flexibility and Problem-Solving: The ability to adjust bids and solutions as designs evolve and unexpected challenges arise.
By selecting the right steel subcontractor during the bidding process, you can ensure that you are setting the project up for success from the very beginning.
Partnering with experienced steel subcontractors is crucial to filling gaps, solving problems, and keeping projects on track. This ensures that GCs maintain control over timelines, budgets, and quality.
Want more insights from those who live and breathe steel? We offer a Lunch & Learn where we dive into topics like full scope bidding and more. We’d love to feed your team and share practical tips to help make estimating smoother and more accurate. It’s all about helping each other win—reach out to schedule your Lunch & Learn today!