Geotechnical Project Bidding and Fees 2

[Jim508]

Hello,

I'm looking to expand into the field of geotechnical engineering and I need to determine how to bid projects.

Can anyone offer advice on the fee/bid range for conducting a typical proposal including soil boring exploration, lab work, and lastly the geotechnical report.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Best Regards,

Jim

 

[Ron]

Oh Geez....where do I start!

First...you are a professional engineer. Do not bid on projects!! That's for contractors. Bidding demeans and ruins our profession. It's falling fast enough as it is...don't push it any faster.

Make the client understand that the difference between you and the lowball XYZ firm down the street is your level of service and your competence.

If you are not a geotechnical engineer, it isn't something you just decide to get into. You are exactly the guy that long standing geotechnical engineers can't compete with because you don't know the business and will "underbid" them every time.

Sorry to get on your case about this but I've watched our profession suffer through and decline because of these attitudes and the inability of our profession to demand qualifications based selection on projects.

Don't lower your rates, reduce your scope.
If you bring your rates down to expectations, the expectations will not allow you to raise them.

 

[motorbiketocrank]

There is no "typical" proposal. That's like asking "how much does it cost to build a typical building".

You should work several years for an established geotech firm to gain experience and learn these sort of things. Or, hire experienced geotechs that know the trade and can develop scopes/costs.

 

[molerat2210]

Sounds like your are taking on a world of liability that you know nothing about. We don't usually bid except on rare occasions. Most projects were derived from proposals. We may propose ABC and you may propose XYZ. There are many selection factors other than cost such as qualifications (imagine that). You may not even get to the proposoal stage until after a prequalifcation process or winning a term contract. Basically, it's a tough nut to crack if you are not in the business. My recommendation: stick to what already makes money for you. Some of the big design-bulld contractors do use bidding for geotechnical work but usually on an invitation only basis.