Choosing your builder
Contractor selection and bid leveling
Three contractors usually send three proposals with three different scopes. We vet the contractors, send everyone the same package and level the bids line by line, so you compare the same scope before you choose.
The risk
Why the low bid is often missing scope
Each contractor writes its proposal in its own format. One includes permit fees and another excludes them. One carries a $250,000 finish allowance where the selections cost closer to $600,000. The totals look comparable when the scopes are not.
For example, three bids come in at $11.4M, $12.4M and $13.4M. Once leveled, the low bid is missing permits, dewatering, amenity equipment and $840,000 of allowances. Added back, it is $12.88M, more than the second bidder. An owner who signs it finds out one change order at a time. We level every bid to the same scope, so you see the real price before you sign.
What’s included
What we do for you
Results
What you get
Every bidder prices the same drawings, allowances and terms.
Exclusions found and priced while you still have bidders competing.
You know who will run your job before you award it.
How it runs
The process
- PrequalifyWe screen for license, insurance, capacity and record.
- Issue the packageSame documents and terms for every bidder.
- Walk and answerPre-bid site walk and one shared question log.
- Level the bidsOne line-by-line comparison.
- Clarify and interviewGaps closed in writing, site team interviewed.
- Recommend and awardWritten recommendation, then contract negotiation.
Deliverables
What you receive
- 01Contractor prequalification report
- 02Bid package and standard bid form
- 03Pre-bid question log and addenda
- 04Bid-leveling matrix
- 05Scope-gap and exclusion summary per bidder
- 06Contractor interview notes
- 07Award recommendation memo
What is bid leveling?
Adjusting proposals so they compare on the same scope. We price every exclusion and allowance gap and produce a leveled total for each bidder.
How many bids should I get?
Enough for real competition among contractors suited to the job, usually a small, vetted group.
How do I check a contractor’s license in Florida?
Through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Some cities and counties also license trades locally, and we check both.
Do you receive referral fees from contractors?
No. We take no referral fees, kickbacks or markups from contractors, vendors or suppliers.
Can I negotiate with a builder I already trust instead of bidding?
Yes. We still price the scope independently and review the proposal line by line.
Start a project
Send us the proposals you have
Call (570) 339-7793 or book a consultation. We will show you what is in each proposal and what is missing.
- A 30-minute call with Osher about your project
- An honest opinion, even if you decide not to hire us
- A written proposal: flat monthly retainer or a percentage of construction value