How to Bid Construction Cleaning Jobs
Construction cleaning companies are firms hired to clean the job site after the building process is complete. They transform the area from a construction site into a usable space for the building's owner. Construction cleaning companies remove leftover debris, take protective coverings off of furniture and equipment, and perform general cleanup ranging from floors to windows. These companies typically win contracts through a process known as bidding. During the bid process, cleaning firms calculate their prices to perform the work, and the lowest bidder usually receives the job.
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Instructions
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Find work. Because construction cleaning is a relatively small part of most construction budgets and because it comes at the end of the project, contracts may be awarded at the last minute. This means that you may have great success finding work by simply visiting local construction sites and asking to bid on the cleaning package. In many cases, the project team will be glad not to have to seek out bidders when there are so many other tasks going on. You can also find bid opportunities for government projects online. Find a link in the References section.
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Visit the project site. Construction cleaning is difficult to accurately estimate without seeing the site firsthand. This is because conditions can vary widely at different sites. Ask to do a walk-through of the building, and take note of any questions you have about scope. Clarify specific items of which you are unsure. For example, will you be expected to clean both interior and exterior windows? If so, will there be a lift on site that you can use, or will you have to rent one? Are there any "green" cleaning and recycling requirements? The more information you have, the better your chances will be to land the job.
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Review the project drawings. While a site visit gives you a good feel for the level of cleaning, it still helps to understand the square footage of the project, as well as general project requirements. Pay particular attention to the schedule and work hours. A job that must be finished in three days will be bid a lot higher than one that can take up to two weeks. At the same time, jobs that require all work to be done off-hours will require higher wages and a higher bid.
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Estimate your costs. This can be done by square footage or by estimating the number of hours needed for specific tasks. For information on construction-cleaning costs based on square footage, refer to the Reed Construction Cost Data Book, which can be found in the References section or at most local libraries. This guide includes costs by region and task. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average wage for cleaning personnel as of May 2006 was $11.30 per hour, though wages may be substantially higher for federal and state government projects.
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Add in the cost of tools, equipment and overhead. Include cleaning supplies, waste disposal (if applicable), protective gear for employees, transportation and equipment rentals. Overhead should include labor burden, insurance costs and any other expenses not captured in your price so far. Add a percentage on top of the total to represent profit. It may take some time to understand what an appropriate profit level is in your area, so start low and adjust as needed.
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Prepare your written bid. Include your company information, your contact information, a detailed scope, and your total price. Be sure to note whether any applicable taxes, permits or other fees are included in your bid.
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Tips & Warnings
When bidding government work, pay particular attention to requirements for scale wages. These are minimum hourly pay rates established through the Davis-Bacon Act, and are often required on government funded projects. Check with the general contractor to see if the project is subject to wage scale. If so, ask for a copy of the applicable wage rates, as scale wages can vary by region and trade.
References
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