Posted on 17th October 2023

We find it astonishing how many subcontractors submit tender prices without clearly communicating their exclusions or omissions and terms and conditions. 

Often, main contractor Quantity Surveyors are solely focused on the bottom line, failing to take cognisance of the finer details of your quote. This approach can cause a host of problems, particularly for the subcontractors themselves.

To address this, it’s vital to explicitly outline your quote and clearly state any exclusions or omissions. This straightforward practice, which we do as a matter of standard practice, ensures transparency and greatly reduces the likelihood of any nasty surprises later down the line. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure that your risks are mitigated and your rights are being protected.

However, the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with subcontractors; main contractors should also place emphasis on open communication and thorough evaluation of tender submissions. However since this is not always the case, we must assume the worst and include our own list of exclusions and clarification, thereby reducing the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts later.

Remember, it’s imperative to negotiate your tender clarifications into the final contract. This step guarantees that the agreed-upon terms are legally binding and offers protection to all parties involved.

At the end of the day, all parties will look after their own interests but a detailed quotation showing quantities, rates, inclusions, exclusions will help the party assessing your quote to fully understand the scope for which you have allowed and more importantly what you have not allowed.  

It’s simply good practice!