Bid Evaluation Checklist

This bid evaluation checklist is for placing items from each contractor side by side for easy comparison. This method of comparison will allow you to narrow down your choice to the one you believe will provide you with the result you want.

Price: Base Bid
Amount needed to Start Work
How long Price in Effect

Start Date
Finish Date

Material furnished as Specified
Alternate Material OK

Installation as Specified
Alternate Installation
Able to Work with Contractor

Workman Comp Insurance OK
General Liability Insurance OK
Automobile Insurance OK

Use Home Electric
Use Home Water
Use Home Toilet

Dumpster
Plan for Recycling

References Furnished

Changed Terms

This checklist will be as useful to you as the amount of research you have done to prepare for the project. As you review each contractor’s bid, you will see any items out of the ordinary as well as an imbalanced bid. If you need additional information from a contractor, do not hesitate to call ... after your bid evaluation is complete.

Bid Evaluation Checklist - Imbalanced Bid

An imbalanced bid is a type of fraud that the contractor is risking a lower price in one area for a dramatic price increase in a different item. Suppose a flooring contractor had a low price for the bamboo flooring but added in his ESC an extra charge for unsuitable surface area to lay the new flooring. No other contractor mentioned this would be a problem. Buyer be aware and beware! Seek clarification from the contractor.

Installing flooring is a fairly simple operation that would be difficult to imbalance. A cut and fill excavation operation would include bid items for several unknown items that would be usual and customary for this type of project. When a contractor discovers sink holes on the site, for example, and the bid item has an insignificant quantity of fill material compared to this contractors estimate, then the imbalanced bid becomes a viable option. The contractor may want to reduce the price for other bid item(s) for a distinct monetary advantage for the total bid amount.

Owners must have all the information at the beginning of the bid process so an imbalance in a bid would be immediately apparent. A thorough examination on the site would be an absolute requirement.

A homeowner who wants to install a large quantity of ceramic tile flooring must check the floor joists/trusses to assure the additional weight will not cause structural damage. If your contractor sees an be an extra charge to reinforce the new flooring he may or may not notify you before the bid.

This checklist follows the bamboo flooring installation but is adaptable to any type of GREEN construction project you chose. As you develop your system for evaluating bids please let me know what works best for you so everyone may benefit.

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