Bid vs. Quote vs. Estimate in the Construction Industry: How Are They Different?

In construction, the words “bid”, “quote”, “proposal” or “estimate” are commonly used interchangeably when they should not be.

The use of these four words can confuse the many stakeholders involved in a project, so it is important to understand what each one means.

Although they sound similar and are often interpreted the same way, the difference between a quote and an estimate or a bid and a proposal is important to clarify because it can be the difference of a chunk of money if used the wrong way.

This guide explains:

• The difference between bids, quotes, estimates, and proposals
• When each word should be used in the construction industry
• The importance of using each term at the appropriate time; and
• What written bids, quotes, estimates, and proposals should all include.

• CM Fusion: Revolutionizing the Bidding Process in the Construction Industry
• What’s the Difference Between an Estimate and a Quote (or a Bid or Proposal)?
• Generally Accepted Definitions of Quote vs. Estimate vs. Proposal vs. Bid
• Whether it’s Called a Bid, Quote, or Estimate: What Should it Include?
• Manage Your Bidding Process With Ease Using CM Fusion’s Cloud-Based Construction Management Software

CM Fusion: Revolutionizing the Bidding Process in the Construction Industry

CM Fusion is a construction management software that is designed to help construction companies streamline their projects.

CM Fusion’s software is cloud-based, meaning it can be accessed over the internet rather than from the computer and can be used by multiple people.

Through CM Fusion, construction companies and subcontractors can:

• Keep track of projects
• Manage necessary construction documents
• Track change orders
• Send and receive bids and estimates
• Time track
• And more

What’s the Difference Between an Estimate and a Quote (or a Bid or Proposal)?

Sometimes “estimate” and “quote” are used interchangeably when they don’t mean to be, so it is important for the involved parties to be clear about what they are looking for when they use either of these words (or “bid” or “proposal”).

A quote is a fixed price based on …

• Cost of labor
• Cost of materials
• Project timeline
• Scope of the project

... and is often used when a project is subject to a specific time frame. If a quote is accepted, the work must be completed at that price.

An estimate is an approximation of cost to help the client understand a general idea of what the total cost of a project or parts of a project might be. A written estimate usually includes more than just costs:

• Timeline and dates
• Exclusions
• Services
• Project scope; and
• Specific terms

A bid is typically used when a project is already outlined and in need of a worker. The requirements are laid out and potential workers can bid to do the work by coming up with a price it would cost to complete the project.

Similar to a bid, a proposal is all-encompassing and includes all of the information a quote, estimate, and bid typically offers. Proposals are used to showcase what a company can provide to the client and usually include:

• Detailed project scope
• Timelines
• Deliverables; and
• Specific costs

How to Clarify What Your Client Wants

Before moving forward with providing any numbers, you should clarify what your client wants to avoid any conflict or confusion down the road.

Are they asking for a quote or an estimate? Did they want a bid or a proposal?

You might discuss things like:

• Is your client okay with small fluctuations in the cost or are they only interested in fixed numbers?
• Do they want an itemized breakdown of costs and services?
• Are they interested in more information than just the cost?
• Do they want a proposal that showcases your work before moving forward?

Generally Accepted Definitions of Quote vs. Estimate vs. Proposal vs. Bid

What is the difference between a quote and an estimate? What about a bid and a proposal?

In the construction industry, you might hear these words used interchangeably, but it is important to clarify what a client, supplier, or contractor is really looking for when one of these words is used.

Definitions might vary based on:

• Which part of the country (or world) that you live in
• The section of the construction industry you are working in (residential vs. commercial)
• Which stakeholder is speaking (owner, contractor, subcontractor, suppliers, etc.)

What Is a Construction Quote?

In construction, a quote is usually referring to a fixed price that is time-sensitive due to fluctuations in the price of materials.

This is only one definition of a “quote” and is normally used a lot in smaller construction and residential construction.

For example, a client might be interested in a quote for:

• Installing new countertops in their bathrooms
• Laying new flooring throughout their home; or
• Adding backsplash in the kitchen.

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When Should a Quote Be Used?

A quote should be used when a stakeholder is interested in a close-target cost estimate for anything related to a construction project.

All parties should be aware that the cost provided in a quote can and might change slightly before the project is complete.

What Is a Construction Estimate?

In construction, an estimate is typically used to give an idea of the total price for a project or a specific part of a project.

Here’s how estimates work:

• The contractor or subcontractor uses the specifications provided (often in a blueprint) to determine what is needed.
• They do takeoffs, which can be measuring spaces or counting necessary materials (like light fixtures), to come up with an accurate estimate.
• They provide the estimate for the complete project or their part of the project to the client.

In commercial construction, where CM Fusion specializes, a quote and estimate can be used interchangeably because they both refer to the process of looking at blueprints, doing takeoffs, and providing a list of materials, labor, and pricing.

When Should an Estimate Be Used?

The word “estimate” should be used when a client is looking for contractors or subcontractors to provide an as-accurate-as-possible list of materials, labor, and pricing for a project. The client should be aware that these numbers can change.

What Is a Construction Bid?

In construction, a bid is when subcontractors review the scope of a project and provide a price that they’d be able to complete the project for the client. After receiving all of the bids, the client can choose which one to move forward with for the work.

In an effort to win the contract, when subcontractors submit construction bids, they typically include:

• A competitive estimated cost
• Project scope; and
• Work schedule and timeline

When Should a Bid Be Used?

Bids are used when clients are searching for one or more subcontractors among many subcontractors and want to find the best value for their money. The comprehensive strategy (cost, scope, schedule) included with the construction bid can help a subcontractor secure a job.

What Is a Construction Proposal?

Construction proposals are usually offered when there is bidding on a project. Because of this, these two words are often used interchangeably in the construction industry or can be confused for one another.

Construction proposals are used to show what your company offers. They should include:

• Specifications of the project
• Scope of project
• Costs and terms
• Work schedule
• Relevant authorities
• Exclusions
• Alternates

When Should a Proposal Be Used?

A proposal is usually used when there is a bid happening for a project. The proposal helps showcase your company’s work and what you can offer for the project.

Whether it’s Called a Bid, Quote, or Estimate: What Should it Include?

It is not uncommon for the words bid, proposal, quote, or estimate to be used interchangeably in the construction industry. Although clients and contractors should clarify exactly what it is that they are looking for, all four written documents should include some version of the same elements:

1. The materials provided
2. The pricing for the materials
3. The cost of labor; and
4. The timeline for completion of the project

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Materials to Be Provided

A builder estimate or quote will include all of the materials that will be provided throughout the project because the price presented to the client has taken the necessary materials into account when creating an accurate or close-to-accurate number.

Pricing for Materials

Estimates, quotes, bids, and proposals will all include pricing for the project materials. This is important because materials play the largest role in the cost of a project.

The document will often include a markup added by the contractor or subcontractor to the supplier cost.

Cost of Labor

Doing work for a project takes time, and time is money. The cost of labor should always be included in any of these documents (bids, proposals, quotes, or estimates) because it can heavily affect the final numbers.

In construction, labor costs are approximately 25-35% of the total project costs.

Time for Completion

How long will it take for the project to be complete? Because time is money, this has to be included in any bid, proposal, quote, or estimate.

Manage Your Bidding Process With Ease Using CM Fusion’s Cloud-Based Construction Management Software

Gathering and managing all of the necessary documents and information for construction projects can be difficult to do.

With all of the required paperwork and the back-and-forth communication between clients, construction companies, and subcontractors, it is not unlikely that information gets lost in the shuffle.

CM Fusion’s cloud-based construction management software helps to streamline projects and manages the bidding process all through the internet.

The mobile-ready software provides more benefits than managing your bidding, like:

• Keeping track of schedules
• Document management
• Daily field reports
• Organized project tasks
• Time tracking
• Cost tracking
• Change orders
• Submittals
• And more

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