The Pre-Bid walk-through is in one of two categories. You either love em' or hate em'. I am in the first category. I love pre-bid walk-throughs. As a subcontractor, the walk-through gives me an advantage over my competition. Let me tell you why.
For some reason, many subcontractors avoid going to pre-bid meetings and walk-throughs. I was the only mason in the last three walk-throughs I went to (one being today and the reason for this post). I understand the thought process of not going to one of these meetings. It may seem like a waste of your valuable time, but I assure you it is not. Here are some reasons I've been told by other contractors on why they usually skip Pre-bids and walk-throughs and my answer as to why that is not a good reason to skip out on this very important meeting.
Pre-bid meetings are for the General Contractors - Not really; pre-bid meetings and walk-throughs are for anyone involved in a project. Of course, General Contractors are an important part of any bid meeting, and knowing the job site is an important part of the process. But putting your eyeballs on a job will also help you decipher the plans you possess. You are able to envision where everything is and where you may be able to stage our materials. If there is something you do not understand, you can ask and get a better scope of what needs to be done. For example, you may get there and realize there is no room to keep all of your materials there, and you will need several deliveries instead of just one. This adds time and costs to your bid for multiple mobilizations—something you would possibly miss if you had not been on the job site before.
I will get the addendums later - Maybe you will, but then again, maybe you won't. The purpose of a pre-bid meeting and walk-through is to address concerns you may have about anything project-related, including bidding requirements and scope. These are considered formal meetings, and everything discussed will be put into writing either by addendum or an RFI email. Not all questions may be answered in the sent addendum, and registered prospective bidders get priority emails after the bid meetings.
My Competition will be there - Again, will they? I just got back from one where I was the only mason. None of my "competition" was there. This gives me a distinct advantage. I've been at the site, know potential problems, asked important questions for my trade, and met General Contractors face to face. I now am at the top of any list just for showing up. If my competition had been there I would be just as happy as I really do not think of other masons as competition. They sometimes beat me at the bidding game, but that is not always bad. I am even great friends with many of them. Sometimes, smaller contractors that are mostly used to bidding on residential projects for homeowners without a GC may balk at being on a site with others of the same trade because they consider it uncouth. However, If you go in with the right attitude, the idea that other trade bidders are there won't bother you, especially if you are confident in your company.
They are boring - Yes, they can be. But it helps if you are paying attention and asking questions. Even when another trade is asking a question, listen closely; if they change his scope, it could affect yours. Prepare beforehand with questions of your own. When you show up unprepared it makes the meeting seem more boring. It may also leave you looking a little silly standing there with a confused look on your face. Boring meetings become less boring when we are active participants. Admittedly, I detest the pre-bid meetings sitting inside a hotel room. I don't get invited to many of those, thankfully, but I still show up and at least pretend it was the best pre-bid meeting ever!
So those were a few reasons subcontractors do not show up to pre-bids and walk-throughs. But if you want to get ahead of the game, show up and sign in that already puts you ahead of your competition. Make a good impression by being there and being attentive. Sit (or stand) toward the front. This imprints you on the minds of the ones around you. It could be the subtle difference that gets you the winning bid.
I want to add a little note for our women contractors. Do not be intimidated by these walk-throughs. You may feel a little nervous at the first couple of walk-throughs you do, but it will get easier. It can feel really off-kilter when there are men who choose to ignore your presence altogether or are rude. This can easily be overcome by confidence (feined or real) and determination. I rarely am ignored anymore, but I've worked with so many contractors for over 30 years that most of them see me or have worked with me before. However, there was one walk-through I went on where I was training a new employee who happened to be a very shy young lady. The Architect had all of those present introduce themselves except for us. Looked straight at us and went to the next guy. The new girl was so embarrassed she wanted to walk away. I whispered, "Watch this". Immediately after the last contractor introduced themselves, I walked straight into the middle of the room and announced who we were. Now, it was the architect's turn to be embarrassed. He stammered something about thinking we were with another company (We had our company shirts on, so that was not true). I then opened the plans and started making the questions I had prepared. He was genuinely shocked that I knew my way around the plans. He even admitted he thought my "Boss" had sent me just because he didn't want to go to the walk-through. He was surprised to find out that I was the majority owner and knew a thing or two. I ended up winning that job, by the way. My point is (and this goes for everyone, not just women): Show up and know your worth.
So, do you like walk-throughs or not?
Let me know in the comments whether you do or don't and why!
Comentários