Advice on getting on Architects Tender list?

dollydoo30

Hi All,

Our company ( small construction company) are hoping to get in touch with some local architects. How do we go about getting put on their list to be called on for tender?

We have plenty of experience with local authorities and tendering through etenders etc.

Any advice appreciated.

Lisa

Mellor

Call them on the phone and talk to them.

But it begs the question, if you have plenty of experience, why aren't the architects you worked with previously tendering with you?

dollydoo30

Hi Mellor, well we haven't worked much with architects in the past, mostly submitted and got tenders through procurement and etenders, council work, refurbishments and new builds with that.

I will give a few local architects a shout.

Thanks

Dudda

Do your research before calling. A blind call won’t get you past reception in our office and asking to be put onto the approved list isn’t going to work. Calling into our office you’ll get a junior (whichever junior is next on the list as it’s taken in turns, we get a lot of sales reps calling). Obviously this won’t get you anywhere either.

Go onto the planning websites and check the counties you’re willing to work in and check what projects the architects are submitting. Look at the plans of the houses and the dates they got granted planning which could be soon going to site. Ignore houses where the client is a builder or developer as these obviously won’t go to tender. When you ring up ask about a specific house your interested in. In a large office they’ll transfer you to the project architect dealing with that house and you’ll get accurate info on what stage it’s at, if it’s going to proceed to tender and other info. Show interest in their project and how you can relate to certain elements of it, eg the zinc or timber cladding they have you used successfully on..etc. etc.. Don’t bother asking for their email as they won’t give it to you (I wouldn’t) and instead ask them to look at a certain project on your website which is similar A+ rated, nice designed, well finished, on budget, on time, happy client, etc. You better have a good website with good photos (not camera phone photos) and even the plans. If they intend to go out to tender find out when and ring back in appropriate time just before issue to remind them. Don’t keep chasing or you’ll put them off. They’ll be happy enough to put you on the list of tenders if they like your previous projects if it’s even to only benchmark their regular contractors. Put in a good tender and you’ll be asked to tender more. Win one, perform well and you’ll get onto the approved list.

tradesman

Dudda wrote: »

Do your research before calling. A blind call won’t get you past reception in our office and asking to be put onto the approved list isn’t going to work. Calling into our office you’ll get a junior (whichever junior is next on the list as it’s taken in turns, we get a lot of sales reps calling). Obviously this won’t get you anywhere either.

Go onto the planning websites and check the counties you’re willing to work in and check what projects the architects are submitting. Look at the plans of the houses and the dates they got granted planning which could be soon going to site. Ignore houses where the client is a builder or developer as these obviously won’t go to tender. When you ring up ask about a specific house your interested in. In a large office they’ll transfer you to the project architect dealing with that house and you’ll get accurate info on what stage it’s at, if it’s going to proceed to tender and other info. Show interest in their project and how you can relate to certain elements of it, eg the zinc or timber cladding they have you used successfully on..etc. etc.. Don’t bother asking for their email as they won’t give it to you (I wouldn’t) and instead ask them to look at a certain project on your website which is similar A+ rated, nice designed, well finished, on budget, on time, happy client, etc. You better have a good website with good photos (not camera phone photos) and even the plans. If they intend to go out to tender find out when and ring back in appropriate time just before issue to remind them. Don’t keep chasing or you’ll put them off. They’ll be happy enough to put you on the list of tenders if they like your previous projects if it’s even to only benchmark their regular contractors. Put in a good tender and you’ll be asked to tender more. Win one, perform well and you’ll get onto the approved list.

Very good & well written advice!