The Foundation For A Successful Project

As an award-winning construction company that’s been in Santa Barbara for over 40 years, we take pride in providing the highest quality work on every project. This commitment to excellence starts from the very beginning: proposals and contracts.

A construction proposal is a detailed document submitted as part of a competitive process to win business. It includes quotes from suppliers for raw materials, bids from subcontractors for their portion of work on the project, and estimates of labor costs, taxes, and other overhead. Meanwhile, the contract is the official agreement that both parties have established from the proposal.

Creating a detailed and accurate proposal and contract takes time and requires excellent organization. While delays may occur, quality construction documents are worth waiting for as they set the foundation for a successful project. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create comprehensive proposals and contracts.

Meeting With The Client:

Our first step is meeting with clients to understand their vision and expectations. Next, we review any plans that the client, designer, or architect has created. If the client doesn’t have this information up front, our team walks through the remodel area to get as many details as possible. Then we use this information to create a comprehensive scope of work. 

Creating A Scope:

The scope of work is the most foundational piece of a construction proposal. Without being clearly defined, the potential for defects, payment disputes, and project delays will soar.

To create a scope of work, we first pass along the project plan to subcontractors. Then, we begin scheduling job walks with them. It usually takes 2-4 job walks to get a scope nailed down after questions are asked and answered. In some cases, the client will decide to make changes during this process, which causes additional delays.

After gathering and reviewing pricing from vendors and subcontractors, our team plugs all of this information into a spreadsheet. Then, we submit this spreadsheet and proposal to the client.

Establishing The Contract

If the proposal is approved and the client signs off, our team gets to work on a comprehensive contract that includes the agreed scope of work, timeline, and pricing. We ensure that our pricing is as accurate, detailed, and fair as possible. We break the range down into manageable parts and use all the information available to arrive at a total expected cost. Throughout this process, Utt fights to get reliable, hard numbers. This meticulousness prevents cost surprises down the line.

After the client has negotiated, made adjustments, and signed, we order insurances and create the schedule for everyone involved. Then, our team needs to establish individual contracts and insurances with each subcontractor, a process that requires additional time. 

Finally, if Utt Construction has the pleasure of completing custom cabinetry on the job, we create shop drawings after the contract is signed. If a client has not yet determined what they want, this process alone can take multiple weeks.

Whether you’re a homeowner who is chomping at the bits to get your house renovated, or you’re starting a new construction project from the ground up, it is essential to understand the logistics, planning, and strategy required to create a proposal and contract. While well-written construction documents take time, they are the foundation for a successful project.