“The end result of a Design and Tender project is to obtain competitive prices for comparison and ultimately this will determine the best value for the building.”

As a commercial design firm, Shields and Associates completes different types of commercial interior design projects, one of them being a Design and Tender project. We make sure the client is being presented with the best design solutions but also with the most competitive pricing that will determine the best value for the building.

What is a Design and Tender project?

A design and tender project is one where the design consultant is hired specifically to design and describe the project to multiple contractors in order to obtain competitive pricing.

First, the designer finalizes the design with the client. Then we create a set of construction documents which at Shields and Associates consists of accurate AutoCAD drawings with the specifications for finishes, hardware, lighting, and quality standards all incorporated on large architectural drawing sheets. This way every nook and cranny has been reviewed and considered.

Sometimes the construction documents can be a specification list, but this leaves the application of the design open for contractor interpretation. So, I only suggest this in the simplest of projects and ideally when the designer is hired to coordinate the weekly on-site work of the contractor.

At Shields and Associates we make sure to ask all the right and important questions of the bidders on behalf of condominium boards, clarifying items within the bids

The next step Shields and Associates takes in a tender process is to pre qualify contractors in conjunction with the property manager. The agreed 3-5 contractors are contacted to make sure they have the proper credentials and to confirm their interest and availability for the tender and subsequent project.

The tender documents are issued, and a bidders site walk thru is arranged so the contractor can ask questions of the interior designer. Then, 3 weeks later the bids are returned by the bidders to the property management office for opening by the board and Shields and Associates will prepare a bid comparison for board discussion and decision.

At Shields and Associates we make sure to ask all the right and important questions of the bidders on behalf of condominium boards, clarifying items within the bids. An interview with the short-listed contractors can be arranged, or the bid can be awarded to any of the bidding contractors for whatever reason the board decides. Ultimately one bidder will stand out as the best choice for the project.

Pros and Cons of a Design and Tender

The end result of a Design and Tender project is to obtain competitive prices for comparison and ultimately this will determine the best value for the building. This is also the major advantage of a design tender project.

The biggest drawback is the additional amount of time a tender requires to accommodate the number of steps & people involved in obtaining a tender. However, it is our opinion that any large project involving hundreds of thousands of construction dollars should be tendered to experienced general contractors to ensure the longevity of your investment.

There are a lot of other types of contract agreements for commercial work that your ARIDO Registered Interior Designer like Vitorhya Shields can assist you with. Don’t hesitate to contact us at vitorhya@saidc.ca for more info or if you need help with your next commercial project!