Issue the same drawings to each contractor
Use the latest architectural, structural and relevant specialist drawings and clearly identify revision numbers. Sending different information to different tenderers makes later price comparison unreliable.
Provide a written scope or specification
Describe the expected work and finish level in writing. Cover demolition, structure, services, finishes, external works and any specialist elements that are not obvious from the drawings alone.
State the project constraints
Explain access, parking, neighbour interfaces, working-hour restrictions, occupancy, protection requirements, delivery limitations and any fixed dates. Contractors need these constraints to plan preliminaries and programme realistically.
Identify client-supplied items and allowances
State clearly what you will buy directly and what the contractor should supply. Where a product or work package is not yet selected, use an identified allowance rather than leaving the responsibility ambiguous.
Ask for the same commercial information
Request a written quotation, exclusions and assumptions, proposed programme, payment terms, relevant company information and the name or role of the person who would manage the project. Consistent questions improve comparison.
Issue clarifications to everyone still tendering
If one contractor raises a question that changes or clarifies the scope, consider issuing the same clarification to the other tenderers. This helps keep the final submissions on a common basis.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a formal tender for a house project?
Not every domestic project needs a complex procurement process, but issuing consistent drawings, scope and questions to suitable contractors usually makes quotations easier to understand and compare.
How many contractors should receive my tender?
There is no fixed number. Focus on a manageable group of contractors that appear capable of the work and are genuinely interested in the project rather than sending the documents indiscriminately.
Can I use BuildConnect UK before my tender pack is complete?
Yes. You can describe the project stage honestly and add useful information as it develops. More complete drawings, scope, budget and timing usually help contractors assess the opportunity more accurately.
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