Drawings
Contractor Bid Package
A complete, bid-ready drawing and specification package that eliminates ambiguity and reduces scope gaps in contractor bids.
Contractor Bid Package
A complete procurement document, not a permit set.
A Contractor Bid Package is a purpose-built set of documents designed to give bidding contractors everything they need to price the work accurately. Unlike a permit set (which is optimized for code review), a bid package is optimized for contractor comprehension: written scope narratives, specification references, material callouts, quantity summaries, and coordination drawings that remove the guesswork from every trade. The result is tighter bids, fewer scope gaps, and fewer change orders.
- 01Written Scope Narrative
- 02Specification References (CSI Format)
- 03Material and Finish Schedule
- 04Quantity and Area Summary
- 05Bid Drawing Set (Reduced from Permit Set)
- 06Exclusions and Clarifications Log
What you provide
- Permit drawings or design intent documents
- Project scope description and trade list
- Any existing specs or material selections
Why This Matters
Incomplete bid documents are the leading cause of change orders. When bidding contractors make scope assumptions because the drawings are ambiguous, those assumptions become disputes during construction. A complete bid package eliminates the ambiguity before the first bid is submitted.
What incomplete packages produce
- Scope gap change orders
- Contractors pricing risk instead of work
- Apples-to-oranges bid comparisons
- Disputes over excluded scope
- Renegotiation after award
The Process
Four steps to a complete package.
Document Review
We review your existing permit drawings, design intent documents, and any project notes to understand the full scope of work.
Scope Narrative Drafting
A written scope narrative is produced for each major trade division, describing the work required, materials specified, and any specific requirements contractors must acknowledge in their bids.
Drawing Set Preparation
The permit drawing set is reviewed, reduced where appropriate for bid use, and supplemented with any bid-specific drawings: material callouts, partition types, finish regions, and MEP rough-in dimensions.
Package Assembly and QC
The complete bid package is assembled, cross-referenced, and QC'd to confirm that the written scope, drawings, and specifications are internally consistent.
What's Included
Every section, explained.
Written Scope Narrative
Trade-by-trade written description of the work to be performed, materials to be used, and any specific installation or quality requirements.
CSI-Format Specification References
Key specification sections referenced by CSI division, giving contractors a consistent framework for their bids and subcontractor communications.
Material and Finish Schedule
Comprehensive schedule of all specified materials, finishes, and equipment with manufacturer references, product numbers, and approved substitution criteria.
Bid Drawing Set
A complete drawing set prepared for bidding, with dimension callouts, material regions, partition types, and other bid-specific information added to the base drawings.
Quantity and Area Summary
Calculated quantities and areas for major scope items: floor area by room, linear feet of partition types, and door and window counts, providing a consistent basis for all bidders.
Exclusions and Clarifications Log
A written log of work specifically excluded from the bid scope, owner-furnished items, and clarifications that address common scope ambiguities before bid submissions are received.
Common Questions
Questions before you engage.
- Can you build a bid package from permit drawings only?
- Yes. Most bid packages start from the permit set. We add the scope narrative, specifications, material schedule, and bid-specific drawing markups to transform a code-review document into a contractor procurement document.
- What if specifications haven't been selected yet?
- We can include specification placeholders with owner-to-select designations and criteria, or we can recommend specifications based on project type. The bid package can note substitution criteria so contractors can bid with alternates.
- Do you cover MEP scope?
- Yes. MEP scope narratives, rough-in drawings, and equipment schedules are included. For projects with complex MEP scope, we coordinate with the MEP engineer of record to confirm bid documentation accuracy.
- Can the bid package be used for negotiated contracts as well?
- Yes. The bid package documentation (scope narrative, specifications, material schedule) serves equally well as the basis for a negotiated contract scope, owner-contractor agreement, or design-build subcontract.
Designed For
Who this service is for.
Property Owners and Developers
Who want competitive, apples-to-apples contractor bids and fewer scope disputes during construction.
Project Managers
Managing a competitive bid process who need a complete, consistent package that all contractors bid from the same basis.
Design-Build Firms
Who need bid documentation for subcontractor solicitation on design-build projects.
General Contractors
Subcontracting major trades and need a consistent, detailed scope package to distribute to sub-bidders.
Continue Exploring
Related services.
- Drawings
Architectural Drafting
Complete, permit-ready plan sets for residential and commercial projects.
- Permitting
Permit Set Preparation
Jurisdiction-specific permit packages built for first-pass approval.
- Coordination
Construction Administration Support
Ongoing drawing support through construction: RFIs, submittals, field sketches, and plan revisions on demand.
Ready for a complete bid package?
Send your permit drawings and project scope. We confirm the package contents and turnaround within one business day.