Why Working with a Contractor from Project Inception is Better Than the Bid Process

When planning a commercial construction project, business owners, developers, and property managers often face a critical decision:

✅ Work privately with a trusted contractor from the beginning, collaborating on design, budgeting, and feasibility.
❌ Put the project out to bid, selecting a contractor based solely on a low bid price.

At Construction, Design, and Management (CDM), we strongly believe in early contractor involvement—working alongside architects, engineers, and real estate professionals from project inception. This approach leads to fewer surprises, more accurate budgets, and a smoother construction process.

In contrast, the traditional competitive bid process often creates misalignment between design intent and cost, leading to costly change orders, timeline overruns, and budget headaches.

Here’s why working privately with a contractor from day one is the smarter, more cost-effective way to build.

1. Early Contractor Involvement Prevents Budget Surprises

When a contractor is brought in from the start, we can:
✔ Provide accurate cost estimates early in the design phase, preventing unexpected overruns.
✔ Identify budget risks before they become problems, allowing for strategic adjustments.
✔ Help value-engineer designs to optimize materials, methods, and efficiency without sacrificing quality.

📌 The Problem with the Bid Process:
❌ Contractors bidding on a completed set of drawings have no opportunity to flag cost issues early.
❌ Low bidders often underprice the project intentionally, knowing they can recoup profits through change orders later.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We provide transparent pricing from day one, ensuring clients understand costs before construction begins.

2. Identifying Constructability Issues Before It’s Too Late

Architects and engineers create beautiful, functional designs, but not all designs are easily constructible. By working with the design team early, CDM helps:
✔ Spot structural and mechanical conflicts that could cause delays.
✔ Ensure materials and designs align with available construction methods.
✔ Avoid costly redesigns caused by unrealistic specifications.

📌 The Problem with the Bid Process:
❌ Contractors aren’t involved in the design phase, so unforeseen constructability issues arise later.
❌ When problems are discovered mid-construction, clients are forced to pay more in change orders.

✔ CDM’s Approach: By collaborating early with the design team, we eliminate major constructability issues before construction begins.

3. Avoiding Costly Change Orders & Hidden Contractor Tactics

One of the biggest drawbacks of a bid-driven approach is that many contractors intentionally bid low to win the project, knowing they can:
❌ Pick apart drawings after the bid and charge for missing details.
❌ Find gray areas in design specs and submit costly change orders.
❌ Use lower-quality materials to cut costs, leading to long-term durability issues.

📌 The Problem with the Bid Process:
❌ Clients think they’re getting a great deal but end up spending significantly more than expected.
❌ Change orders can inflate project costs by 10-30% or more, causing frustration and delays.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We work honestly and transparently from the start, helping clients budget accurately and avoid unnecessary change orders.

4. Faster Project Timelines with Fewer Delays

When a contractor is involved from project inception, the entire construction process becomes more efficient:
✔ We can order materials early, avoiding supply chain delays.
✔ We help streamline the permitting process, ensuring approvals don’t hold up work.
✔ We can schedule crews more effectively, reducing labor shortages and delays.

📌 The Problem with the Bid Process:
❌ Contractors can’t begin planning until after they win the bid, leading to lost time.
❌ Late discovery of permitting, zoning, or site challenges can set projects back by months.

✔ CDM’s Approach: By starting early, we accelerate timelines and ensure a smooth transition from design to construction.

5. A Collaborative, Problem-Solving Approach vs. an Adversarial Relationship

When a project is put out to bid, the relationship between owner, architect, and contractor can become adversarial:
❌ Contractors feel pressured to cut corners to stay within a tight bid.
❌ Architects get frustrated when their designs are modified due to budget issues.
❌ Clients are caught in the middle, dealing with unexpected costs and delays.

📌 The Problem with the Bid Process:
❌ The contractor’s main goal is to protect their profit margin, not necessarily the client’s best interests.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We act as a trusted partner—working alongside architects, engineers, and clients to find creative solutions that balance design vision, budget, and constructability.

6. Better Alignment with Client Goals & Long-Term Success

At the end of the day, construction isn’t just about building a structure—it’s about creating a space that:
✔ Meets the client’s operational needs.
✔ Stays within budget expectations.
✔ Stands the test of time with quality craftsmanship.

📌 The Problem with the Bid Process:
❌ The winning contractor may not be the best fit for the project, leading to misalignment in expectations.
❌ A low-bid contractor may prioritize speed over quality, resulting in maintenance issues and increased costs down the road.

✔ CDM’s Approach: We focus on long-term success, helping clients make informed decisions that add value over the life of their building.

Final Thoughts: Work with a Contractor, Not Against One

At CDM, we believe that the best projects are built on trust, collaboration, and early contractor involvement. Instead of waiting until bids are collected and construction documents are finalized, we encourage clients to bring us in from the start to:

✅ Participate in site selection alongside realtors, ensuring the land is suitable for construction.
✅ Work with architects and engineers during design, preventing costly constructability issues.
✅ Provide real-time cost feedback, so budgets stay realistic and manageable.
✅ Ensure a smooth, efficient construction process with fewer delays and change orders.

📞 Thinking about a new construction project? Work with CDM from the start and avoid the pitfalls of the bid process. Contact us today!