How to Write a Bid
A bid is essentially a sales presentation, which is why a well-written bid can help you prevail over equally well qualified competition. You should be ready to put as much painstaking care into preparing your bid as you would into performing the project itself. Read the instructions in the bid documents with utmost care and follow them scrupulously--after all, if you can't get your bid right, it will be hard to convince your potential customer that you will be able to do the job right.
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Instructions
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Establish your credibility on the first page of your bid by briefly listing all of your formal qualifications (including any necessary licenses), details of any performance guarantees that you are willing to offer and contact details of previous customers on similar projects who will provide positive evaluations of your work.
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Describe in detail exactly what services you will provide, and the exact date that you expect each phase of the project to be completed.
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Bid a competitive but realistic price for each phase of the project, taking into account potential cost overruns and completion delays. Keep in mind that if you price your services unrealistically low, your potential customer will doubt your competence - and you will get into financial trouble later if your expenses end up exceeding your bid price. Aim to offer the best value, regardless of whether or not that translates into the lowest price.
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List any subcontractors to be used and the exact nature of their assignments. Your subcontractors should all enjoy good local reputations. The use of subcontractors who have worked with your potential customer on more than one previous occasion will be particularly persuasive.
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Set out the payment method and specify clear payment terms. For long jobs, progress payments will probably be appropriate. In order to avoid disputes, specify exactly what must be done as a condition to payment at the conclusion of each phase of the project, and exactly what quality standards apply (in numerical detail if possible).
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Write an informative, one or two paragraph summary of the contents of your bid, entitle it "Executive Summary," and place it at the top of the first page of your bid.
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Proofread and edit your bid, with the help of a professional printer if necessary, to ensure that it presents a clear, well-organized, flawless professional appearance.
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Tips & Warnings
Do your homework before beginning to write your bid. Attend all bid meetings, take notes, and ask as many questions as you need to find out exactly what your potential customer expects. Determine the cost of materials and services, including subcontractors, by reviewing records of similar projects you have undertaken in the past and by reaching advance agreements with suppliers and subcontractors.
Don't get so caught up in winning the bid that you make promises you can't deliver--your good reputation is more important in the long run.
