Larger commercial projects

[fraserd]

Hi, im at the stage where im moving on to bigger projects, and am looking at some advice when dealing with larger main contractors etc.
I worked for a company doing mainly commercial installs then went self employed and since being self employed have mainly done Domestic and small commercial projects where pricing etc is pretty straight forward. Ive put in a provisional labour only price for a large office install over two floors. The work consists of working away from home. Things are moving forward with it and i now have a meeting to discuss the project with the main contractor. Its not my forte this side of things and was looking for some advice from people who put tenders in for larger projects ie payment structures, terms and conditions etc etc, dont want to set myself up to fall, any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PEG]

Hi bud,on what basis did you give the labour price?

Who set the job duration,order of works,materials source and costing?

 

[fraserd]

Hi, cheers for the reply, i had a meeting and walk round the job with one of the main guys and went through the schedule of works and from that gave a provisional sum to be agreed when full scope of works is finalised. Its all just provisional at the minute with the up coming meeting to get me setup as a supplier and finalise everything. The main contractor has set the job duration for themselves and it was down to me to estimate the time it will take to do the electrical package.
As i say its all very provisional at the minute but want to cover all my bases at the meeting, im going with the attitude if it looks to much hassle im not bothered about turning it down. What is the usual way of putting a tender in larger projects

 

[PEG]

Hi,when you say "set up as a supplier" ,is that of labour,or materials,too?

If they are a new entity,to yourself,there needs to be a degree of trust,or to be more accurate,shared risk.

If you are supplying both,you may need some safeguards.

Make sure you do not end up,in a position,where the deeper you get sunk,the less you feel like jacking