“We’ve got three tenders. Now we just need to pick one.”

Before comparing the totals, there is a more important question to answer: has every contractor priced the same job?

When businesses seek quotes for an office or commercial fit out, the tender prices can vary considerably. That does not always mean one contractor has made a mistake. Often, each price reflects a different interpretation of the project, its risks and the work required to deliver it.

Unless those differences are understood, it can be difficult to make a fair comparison.

The tender documents may be the same, but contractors can make different assumptions about how the work will be carried out.

One contractor might assume unrestricted access to the site. Another may allow for working around occupied areas. One price might include protection, phased working and temporary works, while another assumes these will not be needed.

Contractors may also take different views of the risks. For example, one may include for a known programme or access constraint, while another may have assumed it can be managed without affecting the price or timescale.

These details matter because they affect what the client receives for the price quoted. If they are left until after appointment, the differences may emerge when the work is already under way, making them harder to resolve and potentially affecting cost or programme.

A lower tender price can look attractive, but it is only useful when you understand what it includes. If essential work has been omitted or a key risk has not been accounted for, the initial saving may not reflect the eventual cost of delivering the project.

That does not mean the highest tender is automatically the safest choice. It means each submission needs to be assessed on a like-for-like basis, with the scope, assumptions, exclusions and risks made clear.

The price is one part of a tender. The contractor’s explanation of how they intend to deliver the fit out is another.

A well-prepared tender should help the client understand what is included, where the uncertainties are and what may affect the project. It should make the decision clearer, not leave the team trying to interpret different assumptions after bids have been submitted.

At C&S, we believe clear, transparent pricing starts with understanding the project properly. Asking questions early and identifying risks before they become problems helps clients make informed decisions about their commercial fit out.

If you’re planning a fit out and want a contractor who will examine the detail, explain the risks and set out a clear price, get in touch.