A comparison becomes fair only when contractors use the same drawings, quantities, specifications, site conditions, taxes, exclusions, schedule and responsibility basis.
What to check
Use this list as a starting point. The depth of review should still match the project stage, decision value, documents and risks.
- Use the same clarification list and proposal template.
- Separate direct prices, provisional sums, allowances, taxes, contingency and owner works.
- Flag blank items, quantity differences, alternatives and exclusions.
- Compare project organisation, method, schedule, labour, procurement and quality controls.
- Review payment structure, retention, variations, warranty, defects and document close-out.
Questions before deciding
A useful answer should be traceable to documents, site conditions, a responsible party or a clearly stated assumption boundary.
- Does the total cover the same scope?
- Which assumptions have the largest price impact?
- How are variations valued and approved?
How to document the outcome
Record information sources, review dates, documents read, people interviewed, inaccessible conditions, key findings, decisions, owners and follow-up deadlines. Separate facts, third-party statements, assumptions and recommendations.
For legal, structural, geotechnical, tax, permitting, land, design or specialist-testing decisions, use appropriately authorised and qualified professionals.
This article is general educational guidance. Project, contract, land, building and legal conditions vary and may require a specific review.