Photo by Joe Holland on Unsplash

With any business, you need to rise above your competition for lasting success. In the commercial construction industry, competition is fierce. If you can’t grab the attention of a project client, you won’t see the growth you’ve been looking for. You need to know how to secure a competitive advantage if you hope to boost your brand to new heights. If the competition is beating you to each project, you’re going to want to make some key changes fast.

Get to Know the Client

Commercial construction jobs span a wide range of industries and clients. You’ll want to get to know them, whether they’re a corporate property owner or a small municipality, to understand their focus and goals. When you better understand the project, you can improve your bid proposal. Some clients prioritize sustainability, while others are looking to complete projects fast. Knowing these goals can help you get a competitive edge by fostering a closer client relationship and helping you craft your proposal to meet the client’s needs better. Research past projects from the client you’re looking to bid on to see what worked well. You can emulate similar build styles and project scopes to maintain positive client relationships.

Update Your Portfolio

When you bid on large-scale commercial projects, you’ll want to have the portfolio and evidence to back up your brand. Make sure you develop and update your portfolio for each client, showcasing your strengths. Include completion dates, timelines, and the costs you saved. If zero safety incidents occurred, list that to impress clients who are concerned with a project’s safety and liability. An impressive portfolio can turn heads when you’re networking, bidding, and growing your brand.

Improve Your Proposal

A solid, impressive project proposal tied with a decent portfolio can put you on the client’s radar fast. Make your bid neat, attractive, and easy to read. Showcase the scope of the project with photos, graphs, and visual aids when possible. Make the project breakdown clear, including materials, timelines, and even the equipment you’ll use. Be specific about how you’ll solve problems, reduce risks, and ensure the project is completed in a high-quality, timely manner. Remember specific parameters your client prioritizes and find ways to cater to them in your bid.

Invest in Business Growth

Your construction company needs to grow at a healthy pace in order to keep up with competitors. As your brand gains significant clientele and revenue, you’re going to want to invest it in your future. Keep machinery and equipment updated and maintained. Modern construction machinery performs more efficiently and sustainably, which appeals to more businesses. The more diverse your client scope goes, the more you’ll want to invest in specialized equipment or attachments for your standard tools, like a tractor grader blade or an excavator plate compactor. Routinely upgrade your tools and equipment to keep up with modern construction demands. Invest in your staff, technology, and marketing strategies as well.

Network and Partner Up

You’re more likely to gain an advantage in the industry when you know more people. You’ll want to get your name and company out in relevant circles to increase brand recognition and strategic industry partnerships. Attend any industry events that you can, including real estate and construction conferences. Join any contractor associations to increase your visibility to potential clients and connect you with more industry resources or support. Since these major projects typically involve other industry professionals like architects and engineers, you’ll want to interact and maintain positive relationships with these project management teams to improve your chances of success with current and future bids.

Market Your Strengths

When you have a competitive advantage in the construction industry, you offer services, rates, or expertise that others can’t. What is your strength above the competition? What sets you apart from the rest? Perhaps you have cutting-edge technology or equipment. You may complete projects faster than any other. For eco-conscious clients, you may offer expertise in sustainable building practices. Showcase specialized certifications that your competition might not have. Include your competitive advantages in your marketing strategy, portfolio, project bids, and anywhere you establish your name and presence.

Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash

Adapt to Industry Advancements

As the construction industry changes with new technology and research, you’ll need to stay updated on these developments to keep your competitive edge. Adapt your company to include technology like digital estimating tools, 3D modeling software, and project proposal visualization tools. Demonstrate your adaptability and use of cutting-edge construction tech in your marketing strategy to appeal to wider audiences, including clients of major commercial projects.

Conclusion

The secret behind securing major commercial construction bids is what you know, who you know, and how you market it. Meet relevant industry professionals at conferences and associations. Advertise your strengths and advantages over the competition, including your adaptability, to your clients. Get to know these clients and their priorities for each project. Tailor your proposal bid for each project. With a combination of these strategies, you can secure the contracts you’ve been dreaming of before your competitors.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

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