Commercial plumbing bidding requires precision in takeoffs, understanding of codes, and competitive pricing strategies. This guide helps plumbing contractors improve their bid-to-win ratio on commercial projects.
Understanding Plumbing Bid Documents
Plumbing Drawings
Key Plan Sheets
- P-series plumbing plans
- Fixture schedules
- Riser diagrams
- Detail sheets
- Site utilities
Information to Extract
- Fixture types and counts
- Pipe sizes and materials
- Equipment locations
- Connection points
- Slope requirements
Specification Sections
Division 22 Coverage
- 22 05 00 - Common Work Results
- 22 07 00 - Plumbing Insulation
- 22 11 00 - Facility Water Distribution
- 22 13 00 - Facility Sanitary Sewerage
- 22 14 00 - Facility Storm Drainage
- 22 30 00 - Plumbing Equipment
- 22 40 00 - Plumbing Fixtures
Critical Items
- Approved manufacturers
- Material specifications
- Testing requirements
- Warranty terms
Accurate Takeoff Methods
Fixture Count
Standard Categories
- Water closets
- Urinals
- Lavatories
- Sinks (various types)
- Drinking fountains
- Floor drains
- Specialty fixtures
Don't Miss
- Trim and accessories
- Carrier systems
- Connection rough-ins
- Specialty items
Pipe Takeoff
By System
- Domestic water (hot and cold)
- Sanitary waste
- Storm drainage
- Natural gas
- Specialty piping
Measurement Tips
- Measure to centerline
- Add fitting allowances
- Include risers
- Account for offsets
- Add waste factor (8-12%)
Equipment
Common Items
- Water heaters
- Pumps
- Expansion tanks
- Backflow preventers
- Grease interceptors
- Water softeners
Pricing Your Bid
Labor Hours
Productivity Variables
- Building type
- Access conditions
- Height factors
- Material handling
- Coordination time
Standard Tasks
- Rough-in work
- Underground work
- Equipment setting
- Fixture installation
- Testing and startup
Material Pricing
Current Market Factors
- Copper vs. PEX vs. CPVC
- Cast iron vs. plastic DWV
- Supply chain issues
- Regional pricing
Quote Management
- Get multiple quotes
- Verify availability
- Check lead times
- Confirm pricing validity
Subcontracted Work
Common Subs
- Insulation
- Fire stopping
- Excavation
- Core drilling
- Testing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Takeoff Errors
Frequently Missed
- Cleanouts
- Access panels
- Insulation
- Seismic bracing
- Fire stopping
- Sleeves and penetrations
Underestimated Items
- Underground work
- Coordination time
- Testing and balancing
- Punch list work
Specification Oversights
Watch For
- High-efficiency fixtures
- Lead-free requirements
- ADA compliance details
- Sustainable certifications
- Extended warranties
Bid Assembly Errors
Checklist Items
- All forms completed
- Signatures obtained
- Addenda acknowledged
- Bond included
- License documentation
Competitive Positioning
Value Engineering
Options to Propose
- Alternative fixture manufacturers
- Piping material substitutions
- Prefabrication opportunities
- System simplifications
Presenting Alternatives
- Bid base as specified
- Offer deduct alternates
- Quantify savings
- Maintain quality
Differentiation
Beyond Price
- Schedule advantages
- Quality track record
- Safety performance
- Local presence
- Financial stability
Working With GCs
Building Relationships
What GCs Want
- Reliable pricing
- On-time performance
- Good communication
- Problem-solving ability
- Clean punch lists
Staying Top of Mind
- Regular communication
- Project follow-up
- Industry visibility
- Quality referrals
Subcontract Negotiation
Review Carefully
- Payment terms
- Retainage
- Change order process
- Scope of work
- Insurance requirements
Negotiate When Needed
- Unrealistic schedules
- Excessive risk transfer
- Unclear scope
- Payment terms
Public Sector Bidding
Compliance Requirements
Typical Requirements
- Prevailing wages
- Certified payroll
- Apprenticeship
- Local hiring
- Small business goals
Documentation
Required Submittals
- License copies
- Insurance certificates
- Bond documents
- Reference lists
- Financial statements
Bid Process
Public Bid Steps
- Find opportunities
- Obtain documents
- Attend pre-bid meeting
- Submit questions
- Prepare bid
- Submit before deadline
- Attend bid opening
Technology for Plumbing Estimating
Software Options
Popular Choices
- McCormick Systems
- FastPIPE
- QuoteSoft
- ProEst
Features to Look For
- Database pricing
- Takeoff tools
- Report generation
- Integration capability
Digital Takeoff
Benefits
- Faster measurement
- Better accuracy
- Automatic calculations
- Easy revisions
Improving Win Rates
Bid Selection
Good Opportunities
- Familiar project types
- Strong GC relationships
- Reasonable schedules
- Fair specifications
- Solid owner reputation
Proceed With Caution
- Unfamiliar project types
- Troubled owners
- Unrealistic budgets
- Excessive competition
- Problematic contracts
Analysis and Learning
Track Everything
- Bid amounts
- Win/loss results
- Margin achieved
- Competitor pricing
- Feedback received
Continuous Improvement
- Update pricing databases
- Refine estimating methods
- Improve presentations
- Build relationships
Conclusion
Successful plumbing bidding combines technical accuracy with business strategy. Take off quantities carefully. Price work realistically. Present bids professionally. Build relationships with general contractors.
The plumbing contractors who win consistently aren't always the cheapest—they're the most reliable, accurate, and professional in their approach.
ConstructionBids.ai helps plumbing contractors discover commercial opportunities and track bid deadlines, so you can focus on preparing winning bids.
