In today’s competitive construction market, writing a winning construction tender or bid is not just about ticking boxes – it’s about demonstrating a deep understanding of the contract, the client and the project.
Whether you’re bidding for public or private sector developments, how you present your approach, can make or break your winning chances.
This guide will walk you through each stage of the construction tender process – from method statements to mobilisation – offering insight from our real experiences with evaluators.
The Construction Bid Lifecycle and Tender Process
Before diving into the specifics, it’s vital to understand the different stages of the construction bidding process.
Most construction bids follow a phased structure with the following steps:
- Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ).
- Invitation to Tender (ITT).
- Clarification Award.
- Mobilisation.
Some frameworks blend these stages, but the expectations remain the same – compliance, clarity and confidence.
Early decisions are just as important as writing the bid itself. Should you bid? Have you got the relevant experience? Can you commit to the timescales? Have you got the necessary processes in place? Can you uphold social value expectations?
A smart bid/no bid approach saves you time, ensures you are bidding for the right opportunities and protects reputations.
Method Statements for Construction Tenders: The Foundation of Success
Method statements are the backbone of a construction tender. They tell the client how you will carry out the works, demonstrating not just that you can but how you will.
These statements are often weighted highly due to their importance within the project scope and should ALWAYS be tailored to the specific site, scope and constraints.
For example, a roofing method statement for a live school environment will be very different from a warehouse build on an empty plot.
All method statements should include the following:
- Step-by-step breakdown of each phase of the works.
- The plant, labour and materials required.
- Access and egress routes.
- Site constraints and how they will be managed.
- Health, safety and environmental considerations.
- Contingency planning and sequencing.
Evaluators will often award higher marks when your method statement seamlessly aligns with the programme, site-specific risks and staffing necessities.
Construction Programme of Works
Your programme of works should compliment your method statement but also add detail, reflect the scope, demonstrate understanding and vitally, allow for mobilisation, delivery and commissioning.
In this section, you should clearly identify:
- Key milestones and deadlines (e.g. site start, enabling works, critical path items).
- Resource allocation across the timeline.
- Integration with subcontractor input.
- Timescales for statutory approvals and lead-in items.
Gantt charts or other visual formats are a great way of clearly demonstrating these factors, but they all need to be backed up textually. This text should outline who will do what jobs, what jobs they are, when they’ll be completed and how any delays will be managed.
Evaluators want the assurance that dates you provide are achievable and that plans are not reliant on best-case scenarios.
Quality Management: Beyond the ISO Certificate
It’s no longer enough to attach an ISO 9001 certificate and leave it at that. Most clients want to see how quality management will be embedded into your delivery style, which means describing the following in as much detail as possible:
- Quality Assurance (QA) processes.
- Daily and weekly quality checks.
- Responsible persons for inspections and approvals.
- Non-conformance and contingency plans.
- Snagging and concluding procedures.
As per all areas of construction bid writing, making your quality management sections as project-specific as possible and aligning as best you can with the client’s expectations will increase your likelihood of high scores.
Health and Safety: More Than Ticking the Boxes
Most construction tenders will ask for generic Health and Safety policies, but the highest-scoring bids will explain how safety will be managed in practice.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) will apply to most projects, so demonstrate compliance by showing the following:
- Your risk assessments for key tasks.
- Site-specific induction plans.
- Daily briefings and toolbox talks.
- Methods for reporting and investigating incidents.
- Specialist training and role responsibilities.
If you use innovations like safety reporting apps, site cameras, and wearable technology, explain how they improve site conditions and reduce chances of health and safety issues.
Evaluators will be drawn to contractors who treat safety as a cultural norm, not a policy.
Environmental and Social Value Commitments in Construction Bids
This is the area that most bidders struggle with – it’s not a priority, most construction companies want to focus their efforts on construction-related work and it can be costly depending on your commitments.
As with most parts of the construction tender, being as specific as possible will stand you in good stead. Generic statements like “recycling is a priority” or “we care about Net Zero” will not win points on their own.
Environmental content should include:
- Site waste management plans (SWMPs).
- Biodiversity and habitat protection (if applicable).
- Measures for energy, fuel and water efficiency.
- Any environmental certifications relevant to the site.
On the social value side, bidders should show:
- Employment of local people or underrepresented groups.
- Commitment to apprenticeships and training.
- Engagement with local schools, charities and community programmes.
- Measurement of impact (KPIs, surveys, outcomes, etc.)
Again, focus on specifics. Instead of saying “we offer apprenticeships”, say “we will partner with [local college name] to offer 2 apprenticeships over a 6-month programme”.
Buyers want the concrete details – it demonstrates that you are serious about your commitment and have established plans to make this a reality.
Mobilisation Planning for Construction Contracts
Once the bid is awarded, how quickly and effectively you mobilise sets the tone for the entire contract.
Clients expect a mobilisation plan that covers:
- Lead-in activities (e.g. procurement, subcontractor appointments).
- Site establishment and welfare.
- Delivery schedules for long-lead items.
- Kick-off meeting agendas.
- Communication plans with the client team.
Construction Bid Writing Tips for Clear and Compelling Responses
No matter how strong your delivery model is, if you cannot communicate it, you’ll lose marks.
Construction bids should be:
- Structured
- Concise
- Well-evidenced
- Demonstrate an active approach (e.g. “we will” instead of “we expect to”).
Assume that your evaluator is reading tens of bids per day and make yours the easiest to understand.
For information on avoiding common mistakes in construction bids, read our blog here.
Final Checks Before Submitting Your Construction Tender
Before submission, ensure you have thoroughly reviewed each response against the question and scoring criteria.
Check for typos, formatting issues and any inconsistencies and confirm all mandatory attachments are included and signposted if necessary.
Submit in the correct portal format and double check if the specification has specific font/size requirements. Small, avoidable details like this can make you non-compliant.
Overwhelmed with Construction Tenders?
Bidding in the construction sector can be longwinded and complex, but it can be made easier with an organised, thorough approach.
While it can be done internally, professional bid writing companies like us at Bid Writing Service can significantly boost your chances of success through expert bid writing and end-to-end guidance throughout the entire bidding process.
Have a construction tender submission coming up? Why not utilise our expert construction tender writers? Contact us at michael.baron@bidwritingservice.com or lauren.moorhouse@bidwritingservice.com to discuss your needs, or, fill out the form below!
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