Bid shopping is a procurement strategy used in the construction industry to obtain the best possible price for a project. It involves the process of soliciting bids from multiple contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers for a particular project, and then selecting the one that offers the most cost-effective bid. The goal of bid shopping is to ensure that the project is completed within budget and on time, while still maintaining high-quality standards. Bid shopping can be a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Architects and project managers must have a thorough understanding of the project requirements and specifications, as well as the capabilities and experience of the contractors and suppliers they are soliciting bids from. They must also ensure that the bidding process is fair and transparent, and that all parties have an equal opportunity to submit their bids. One of the key benefits of bid shopping is that it allows architects and project managers to obtain the most competitive prices for their projects. By soliciting bids from multiple contractors and suppliers, they can compare prices and select the one that offers the best value for money. This can result in significant cost savings, which can be reinvested in other aspects of the project. However, bid shopping can also have some drawbacks. It can lead to a race to the bottom, where contractors and suppliers are forced to cut corners and offer lower-quality services in order to win the bid. This can result in a lower-quality end product, which can be costly to fix in the long run. Additionally, bid shopping can create a tense and competitive environment, which can strain relationships between contractors, suppliers, and project managers.
procurement, construction industry, contractors, suppliers, cost-effective, project management
CITATION : "Brian Turner. 'Bid Shopper.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=264011 (Accessed on August 02, 2025)"
Bid Shopping is a term that is used to describe a technique employed in the architecture industry. It involves an architect creating a competitive bidding environment between contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, in order to obtain the best possible price for a particular project. This process is often seen as a way to increase efficiency and cost savings, as the architect is able to use the competitive nature of the bidding process to their advantage. Bid Shopping is a popular method of procurement, as it allows architects to gain the most competitive prices for their projects, whilst still obtaining quality materials and services.
Competitive Bidding, Procurement, Cost Savings, Efficiency, Quality.
Masonry bid shopping is a term used to refer to the process of finding a mason who will provide a quality job for the lowest possible cost. This is done by obtaining bids from multiple masons and then selecting the contractor who provides the best and most cost-effective bid. Masonry bid shopping is a complex process that requires the expertise and experience of an architect to ensure that the results are satisfactory and that the project is completed on time and on budget. It also involves a thorough analysis of the masonry contractor’s capabilities, experience, and reputation, as well as a review of their bid to ensure that all of the necessary elements are included.
Cost-comparison, negotiation, diligence, research, evaluation.
We have 216.552 Topics and 472.818 Entries and Bid Shopper has 3 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Bid Shopper today.