Excavation and site work request for bids template
A free, ready-to-use request for bids you can send to excavation and site work contractors. Fill in the brackets, then email it, or post it on FindMyBids for free so local businesses in that trade see it the morning it goes up.
REQUEST FOR BIDS: EXCAVATION AND SITE WORK 1. About us and the project Company / organization: [Your company name] Project name: [e.g. Excavation and site work at 100 Main Street] Location: [Street, city, state] Summary: [Two or three sentences on what you need and why] 2. Scope of work Bidders should price the following. Attach photos, drawings or a site map if you have them. - Clearing, grading and cut/fill quantities: [details] - Utility trenching and backfill: [details] - Stormwater, erosion and sediment controls: [details] - Stone base and compaction testing: [details] - Rock and unsuitable soil unit prices: [details] - Utility locates (811) and permits: [details] 3. Schedule Questions due: [date] Site visit / walk-through: [date and time, or 'by appointment'] Bids due: [date and time] Work starts: [date] Work complete by: [date] 4. What to include in your bid - Price. Format: Lump sum, with unit prices for rock and unsuitable soil. - What's included and excluded, and any assumptions - Proposed schedule and crew size - Certificate of insurance: general liability [$1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate], auto [$1,000,000], workers' compensation as required by law - Required licenses or registrations: [list] - 3 references for similar work in the last 3 years - Equipment list - Compaction testing plan 5. How we'll choose We'll consider price, experience with similar work, references, schedule and completeness of the bid. We may ask finalists follow-up questions. We aren't required to accept the lowest or any bid. 6. How to submit Email your bid as a PDF to [email] with the subject line "Bid: [project name]" by [date and time]. Questions: [name, email, phone]
What to spell out in a excavation and site work bid request
Most bad bids come from vague requests: contractors guess, price in extra risk, or leave things out. Usually sent by GCs, developers and municipalities, a good excavation and site work request covers:
- Clearing, grading and cut/fill quantities
- Utility trenching and backfill
- Stormwater, erosion and sediment controls
- Stone base and compaction testing
- Rock and unsuitable soil unit prices
- Utility locates (811) and permits
Ask for prices in one format (lump sum, with unit prices for rock and unsuitable soil) so the bids are easy to compare side by side.
Get bids without calling around
Post your excavation and site work job on FindMyBids for free. It shows up in the bid lists and morning emails of small businesses in that trade and state, and they contact you directly. No fees, no middleman, and you choose who to hire.
Post this job freeAre you a excavation and site work contractor? See 123 open excavation and site work bids from government and private buyers.
Common questions
What's the difference between an RFP, RFQ and ITB?
A request for quotes (RFQ) asks for price on a clearly defined job. An invitation to bid (ITB) is the formal version, usually lowest qualified price wins. A request for proposals (RFP) asks bidders to propose how they'd do the work, and you choose on value, not just price. This template works as an RFQ or a simple RFP.
How many bids should I get?
Three or more is typical. Fewer than three makes it hard to tell if a price is fair.
Where can I find excavation and site work contractors to bid?
Post the job on FindMyBids for free. Small businesses in that trade and state see it in their bid lists and daily emails, and they contact you directly. You approve who you hire; we never take a cut.