[LBWCS]

I have been approached by a national housing company to tender for some apartments close to me. I am a sole trader and work together with my dad. The questionnaire seems very long and they are looking for references,  and lots of other info.  Im wondering whether its worth it? For those who do this kind of paper work does it pay off? Is it too much stress? The job is probably worth about 1500-1800 annually.

Thoughts welcomed 

[cgh window cleaning]

Certain jobs have to go out for tender to check they are getting the best service and value for there residents .Tenders go out at various times some yearly,some every 3-5 years depending on contract value.

The paper work can be pain but it's just checking you meet there criteria once that is out the way and if the price is what there looking for then you could be in with a chance.

[jwplasterers]

Might be the best thing you have ever done who knows

[Leeds]

Coming from someone who used to work for the council and has been on the other end of putting out a tender, the truth is that often we had a company in mind that we wanted, but we had to show fairness so we chose some other random companies to put the tender out to, and to make up the numbers and let them fill out the forms.

This may not be the case here, but it's worth keeping in mind. You have to think, would they want to deal with a company like mine, (track record is very important) and am I big enough to handle a contract this size. This one is quite small so you may be in luck. 

[Smudger]

Tendering can be a right pain, but if you feel the rewards are worth it then fill out the paperwork, some info is not required at the bidding stage, it just depends how. Badly the tendering process is put together, it should also make you aware of the split for cost vs service, or in some cases it's purely a vote by the residents of the building.

 You can only put in what you feel is a fair price and list what you are going to do, keep it straightforward and answer the questions, no waffle.

We have several housing association contracts (  3 years ) that the residents voted on and also won a hospital contract ( 3 years ) because of its value ( over 24k ) was a very long process but well worth it.

Go for it, it's good experience, if you get it you never know what else may follow 

Darran

[Smurf]

It also boils down to how much you are willing to price the work up at to make it worth your while as tendering can be a cut throut game to play and many have found out some are not worth being involved with.

[LBWCS]

Thanks for the positive responses. I agree it's good experience to get involved in this process as housing association work would be a nice way to diversify my work. I've decided to give it a go just for my own self worth. I'll let you know how I get on!

[Smudger]

Please do, good or bad, remember if you don't get it ask why !!

Darran

[Dave Willis]

Ask Smurf - he has a tender ........................... behind apparently.

[Smurf]

Ask Smurf - he has a tender ........................... behind apparently.

 

[LBWCS]

Well after a long night infront of the pc I have finally finished it. I gave up on it as a bad job but then returned to it 3 times! Although I'm not expecting much to come from it hlad Iv attempted it, thanks for the encouragement

[cgh window cleaning]

You have to be in it to win it.
The paper work gets easier and you have as good a chance as any one else.
Don,t be fooled into thinking these sort of jobs are awarded on price some pay very well for a great service.

One of mine went for tender in January and I had to re submit my price,even though I was not the cheapest we still one the contract.it has also been canvassed numerous times.
Competent health  and safety is very big part of it.

[Positivity]

I was approached by a Housing Association for a site of about 80 flats. The paperwork extended over several pages. It was only for the year meaning I would have to apply each year and they insisted on a minimum of £5 million Public Liability Insurance.
I could understand the liability if I was digging up electricity or gas pipes or erecting a massive construction but I am puzzled as to how I could cause £5 million pounds worth of damage cleaning windows!!

[Mike #1]

5 mill is standard after hours on end doing tenders and not getting any responses at all .

I will only deal solely with the decision maker who will give me a direct answer their and then I clean a few schools etc and they are the best to deal with and you get paid within 3 weeks

[Smurf]

I remember once getting loads of a3 envelops through the post of plans etc. Turns out was a management company contact me out of the blue that was wanting a price for a window cleaning service on several large 4/5 storey residential buildings.   

Hmmm…I thought as at the time I only had a 250 van tank in a small berlingo van and my longest pole was 35 foot  so would give that one a miss. Not only that 3 storey can be bloody hard work so bugger 4/5 storey for a game of soldiers 

The point I'm trying to make is ask yourself are you setup to do the jobs you want to tender for and do you really want to do them if you won the contract?

[LBWCS]

I remember once getting loads of a3 envelops through the post of plans etc. Turns out was a management company contact me out of the blue that was wanting a price for a window cleaning service on several large 4/5 storey residential buildings.   

Hmmm…I thought as at the time I only had a 250 van tank in a small berlingo van and my longest pole was 35 foot  so would give that one a miss. Not only that 3 storey can be bloody hard work so bugger 4/5 storey for a game of soldiers 

The point I'm trying to make is ask yourself are you setup to do the jobs you want to tender for and do you really want to do them if you won the contract?

I feel like I am in a position to take on this kind of contract. Ive been window cleaning for 10 years, have a great van setup, lots of happy commercial customers, Im ok with basic paper work, i.e. risk assessments etc and I only put a price in that Im happy with. I suppose I just get put off when they try and complicate the job so much that making the glass clean (which is basically what they are paying for) isn't almost put to the bottom of their requirement list.