Bid Comparison Worksheet

Resources / Budgeting & bidding

Compare contractor proposals on a common scope before choosing a builder. This Excel workbook shows how base bids, selected alternates, allowances, and scope differences can change the comparison.

Use the sample as a starting point

Download a working copy and replace the sample project details, contractor information, prices, dates, scope selections, and review notes with your own project information. The sample figures are examples, not current market estimates or contractor offers. Complete the workbook in your spreadsheet application.

What’s included

  • Bid Comparison: compare four contractors, their submitted base bids, accepted add and deduct alternates, scope adjustments, and adjusted prices. Review the dollar and percentage variance from the lowest adjusted bid.
  • Scope Checklist: review 29 scope items across the bidders. Mark each Included, Excluded, Allowance, Not Clear, or N/A, and record notes or clarification requests.
  • Read Me: follow the workflow and definitions for base bids, allowances, normalization adjustments, and adjusted bids.

How the price comparison works

Adjusted Bid = Base Bid + Accepted Add Alternates − Accepted Deduct Alternates + Scope / Normalization Adjustment.

  • Enter each base bid exactly as submitted. Use the same selected alternate scope when comparing bidders.
  • Enter accepted deduct alternates as positive deduction amounts; the formula subtracts that row.
  • Use a positive scope adjustment to add missing work and a negative adjustment to remove scope for comparison. Document the basis for every adjustment.
  • Allowance Total is for reference only and is not added again to the adjusted price. For an allowance already in the base bid, include only the difference needed to reach your common comparison target in the scope adjustment.
  • The Scope Checklist does not automatically price exclusions or feed adjustments into the bid totals. Review each difference and enter the appropriate comparison adjustment manually.

Replace every price input for each active bidder, entering 0 where no add, deduct, or scope adjustment applies. Partial entries can still produce an adjusted bid. For an unused bidder, clear all four price inputs in rows 14–17 so it does not remain in the lowest-bid comparison. Preserve the formula cells for Adjusted Bid and the variance rows.

Compare scope, schedule, and qualifications

Review the same scope item across all bidders, then request written clarification for exclusions and unclear assumptions. Check allowances against the selections and quantities you intend to use.

The comparison sheet also provides fields for proposed start, construction duration, warranty, insurance or bonding, license or registration, key exclusions, strengths, concerns, and overall notes. Replace the sample commentary rather than treating it as an assessment of your contractors.

Review these items alongside adjusted price before recording your decision. The lowest adjusted bid does not by itself confirm equivalent scope or contractor suitability. Keep the proposals and clarification correspondence with the completed workbook.

Use the Construction Budget Worksheet to track the broader project budget and the Project Planning Checklist to organize decisions before bidding and construction.