Buildertrend’s Bids tool simplifies the bidding process by helping you organize, send, and manage bid requests in one central location. It streamlines communication between your team and subcontractors, making it easier to collect competitive pricing and keep your projects moving forward.

Bid Packages include all the essential information such as scopes of work, attachments, plans, and deadlines, so subcontractors have what they need to submit accurate bids. Whether they are active users in Buildertrend or not, the process remains straightforward and professional.

Begin by selecting a Job, then navigate to Bids from the Financials dropdown.

Next, click on New Bid Package to begin creating your bid package.

Fill out the Bid Package Information by including key details such as the Package Title, Due Date, Description, and Attachments.

Next, add the Pricing Format to provide an outline for your subcontractors to complete. The subcontractor will complete the Quantity, and Unit.

As a best practice, we recommend utilizing your cost code list for your bid packages. Click on the Line Items tab, then add in your cost code(s) along with Title, Descriptions, and identify the Cost Type per line item.

Add a Bid Package Description and Attachments at the bottom of this window.

To select which trades you would like to send this to, scroll to the top of this Bid and select the Requests tab. Select the desired subs from the dropdown list.

Bids may be sent to subs who have created login credentials (Active) as well as those that have not (Inactive). Both will have the ability to respond to the Bid via the email associated with their profile.

To confirm subcontractor activation status, visit the subs/vendors dropdown from the people icon in the top right corner of your Buildertrend account.

Next, add Invitation Text, which will be sent to each subcontractor chosen in the drop down list. All subs will receive the same text, so ensure the messaging is high level and not trade specific.

To save without sending, select Save.

Select Save and Release to send the Bid Package to the selected subcontractors via email and via Buildertrend if they have already active as a subcontractor.

To confirm that a subcontractor has received the notification after send, an account Admin may confirm by navigating to Notification History, within Messaging.

Subcontractors will receive the Bid Request via the email listed within their user profile and will respond by choosing View & Submit Bid.

This will open the window below, offering for subcontractors to provide their proposed Cost, Quantity and Unit. They are also able to Activate Account at the top at no charge to them, or you.

Additional Bid Details and Attachments may be added before Submitting Bid.

A final confirmation will appear before their Bid is submitted.

You will receive a notification a new bid is available, and may now manage all Bids as needed.

For instances where it may be necessary to edit a bid on behalf of a subcontractor, a Buildertrend user with Bid -> Edit action may complete this action.

First, navigate to the Bid and select the Requests tab at the top. Then, scroll down to Existing Bid Requests.

Select Sub/Vendor name you wish to edit.

Next, click Edit Bid to begin the process.

Edit Unit Cost, Quantity, and Unit for each line item. This will allow you to add the cost to the bid.

Upon Save, a pop-up will appear confirming your choice your submission on behalf of the subcontractor. Any updates will be visible to subcontractors.

Click Save Bid to finalize the edit.

The updated Bid will now appear as Submitted within your Existing Bid Requests list.

The Buildertrend Learning Academy is your one-stop-shop for your online education, whether you're new to Buildertrend or an experienced user looking to learn more.

If you have any questions or require additional support, feel free to chat with us, send an email: support@buildertrend.com, or give us a call at 1-888-415-7149. We’re always happy to help.