Proper Bidding techniques !!!!!

[greeneye]

I'll be bidding on some concrete jobs soon. One of the project managers wants a $ per sq. foot price and another company wants a set price per job. These jobs are resedential monolithic slab foundations. I've done all the calculations and now it's time to bid. Is there a specific spreadsheet to use for this or do I put it on company letterhead with a breakdown of what's covered in the bid. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm in the Raleigh, NC area.
RD

[Rich]

Either method would be acceptable. For concrete I would probably put it on company letterhead. If you do put it on a spreadsheet make sure to put a cover letter with it. Try and break down your price as much as possible without showing everything (profit & margin) - unless it's specifically requested to show them seperate.

[grumpydasmurf]

I disaprove of giving a per square ft price. or a per unit price. My pricing isn't based on the square fot. It's based on everything that's involved. If you add more square ft the sq ft average is likley to change just based on the scope of work.

Give a set price. Explain your reasons. Call it a day.

[Tom R]

Right on, Grumpy,

To me, square foot pricing is for the most 'basic' of jobs, or those on a 'commercial' scale. More like a ballpark/rule of thumb. Leaves no allowance for 'complications'. No two jobs are ever the same, it's always more accurate to price 'by the stick'.

[Rich]

Personally I bid everything the same way - by the stick/piece or whatever. If they want me to submit it in a square foot price - easy enough. In the contract I then give a cost for labor (including any markups) for change order work and also stipulate a 10% markup on materials.. then it covers me in any situation (essentially the same way I bid the original budget).