Submitting Bids

Posters talk about whether or not it’s wise to get involved with bidding on jobs when that’s how the customer hires contractors.

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This feature in Pumper reports noteworthy conversations that take place in Pumper Discussion, an email-based forum for industry professionals sponsored by COLE Publishing. Pumper Discussion provides for the exchange of information and ideas on septic and drainfield installation and maintenance, trucks and equipment, portable sanitation, chemicals and additives.

Information and advice in Overheard Online is offered in good faith by industry professionals. However, readers should consult in depth with appropriate industry sources before applying such advice to a specific business situation.

Question:

How do you feel about bidding on work? I've never done it, but I just found a website for my area that allows you to place your bids through the county.

Answers:

It seems like in my neck of the woods the only way to get a package plant sludge contract is to bid it. I've never bid on anything. But if I get bigger I'm going to have to start. So any advice from anyone would be helpful to me too.

When bidding, make sure you remember why you're in business: to make money. It's nice to win a bid but it's not good working for free.

Some companies in the area put in bids for all the school grease traps in this district. A couple companies bid low (really low) and have very high repair prices to offset the cost. This doesn't apply to plant slurry but you have to see what people charged on the last contract (public information), see if that's about what you would charge, and find out in the language of the contract if you would be responsible for any additional work that may offset the discounted rate. For example, locally they may charge $300 to install a tee on a baffle, or $600 for jetting since there is no restriction on those costs in the contract. The contract only focuses on pumping the tanks.

Question:

Last year at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo, I looked for software for our industry designed for Apple computers and couldn't find anything. However, I have seen photos in Pumper profile stories showing company offices with Mac computers. What programs are out for Macs that make it easier to keep track of everything?

Answers:

Are you looking for an accounts program? I use a program called MoneyWorks. You can track customers' purchases and all your invoicing. I've used Sage before and I really like this program. You can download a free trial off their website, www.cognito.co.nz.

For accounting, I have gone with Intuit QuickBooks online. It's kind of nice to have access to all my accounts from any Web browser on any computer. And if my computer dies, all my stuff is on their end so I don't lose anything.



Discussion

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