The bottom number on a sub bid tells you almost nothing until you know what's in it. A leveling sheet puts every bid on the same scope so you can compare them fairly.
Not legal advice.This article is general business information. Contract, home improvement, lien and billing rules vary by state and sometimes by city. Have a local construction attorney review your contract, your change order form and any clause language before you rely on them.
01Why the lowest bid often isn't
Two sub bids can look thousands apart and cover different work. One includes disposal and permits, the other doesn't. One uses an allowance for fixtures, the other prices them. Comparing bids means leveling them: lining up the same scope so you compare like with like.
"Adjustments to level" is where you add your own estimate for anything a sub excluded, so the totals compare the same scope. Write down how you got each adjustment.
04Look beyond the number
Schedule: a cheaper sub who can't start for six weeks may cost you more.
Insurance and licensing: confirm certificates and any license your state requires before you award.
Clarity: a bid with clear inclusions and exclusions is usually less likely to produce surprises.
Change pricing: ask how they price changes. Those costs flow into your change order pricing.
Subcontract terms, insurance requirements and lien rules vary by state. Have a local construction attorney review your subcontract language.
05AI prompts for leveling bids
Here are [3] subcontractor bids for [trade] on the same scope, plus my scope of work. Build a leveling table: each scope item as a row, each sub as a column, marked Included / Excluded / Allowance (with amount) / Not mentioned. List every exclusion and every "not mentioned" item as a question I should send that sub. Don't estimate any prices and don't recommend a sub.
[paste scope]
[paste bids]
Write a short, polite email to [sub] asking them to clarify these items in their bid: [list]. Ask for a revised price or a written confirmation by [date].
You make the call. AI organizes the paper.
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Scope sheets, takeoff checks and sub bid comparisons
The AI Estimator Pack has 13 prompts for scope sheets, takeoff checks, sub bid comparisons and estimate summaries, four workflows and a working template. One-time price.
