When looking for new work, contractors today face many challenges, including:
Project search software designed for the commercial construction industry can help contractors find, track, and bid projects. It can also streamline the bidding process, making preparing and sending competitive bids easier. When it comes to evaluating project search software, here are six things to think about as they relate to your business:
Good project search software should give you access to both public and private projects – a lot of them. It should also centralize all the information you need to know about a project, including relevant dates, documents, and contacts. This saves time so that you never miss potential jobs.
The database should also be regularly updated and include important details, such as location, scope, timeline, and budget. It should also help you easily find and save projects matching your specific trade or service, where you want to work, and so on. You want a software that can help you find new business – fast.
Look for tools that can help you focus on the most relevant opportunities so that you increase your chances of success. Ideally, the software also has advanced filters – location, project type, budget range – to help you narrow your search to the best opportunities. Make sure that it’s providing you updates in real-time, too, so that you can respond right away.
Software that includes customizable templates, helps you with bid leveling and other calculations, and has built-in document management can help you create professional, accurate bids.
A good bid management tool can also help you collaborate with your team members. It also should have automated reminders for bid deadlines. These are time savers that help you get your bid out the door more quickly.
Any project search software you select should work seamlessly with other tools and systems you’re using now, or it should help to streamline your processes and/or reduce costly errors. All-in-one solutions that include bid management, estimating, and project management tools are great money-saving options, so you don’t have to buy – and support – separate software for each business need.