---
title: Transparency in Construction Estimating
tags:
  - status/not-started
  - topic/construction
  - topic/estimating
  - topic/transparency
  - type/cross-topic
---
# Transparency in Construction Estimating

Cross-topic of [[transparency]] and [[construction-estimating]].

## Estimating Ethics

### Ethics for the Solicitor

Contractors engaging in unethical bidding practices
can quickly gain a reputation for doing so,
leading to reduced bid response
that can be impossible to fully recover from.

To ensure a transparent bidding process, one must

* divulge all selection criteria to bidders,
* avoid conflicts of interest,
* maintain confidentiality of bid submissions, and
* provide equal access to bidding information.

### Ethics for the Bidder

Deceptive proposal language is a quick way to get blacklisted.

Taking advantage of a customers ignorance of electrical construction
is particularly reprehensible.

> [!example]
> * Not including consideration for voltage drop
> * Including standard, line-voltage switching as "lighting control"
> * Excluding all mechanical disconnects

### Terms

> [!info] Bid Shopping
> the practice of sharing a bidder's quote with other prospective vendors
> in order to solicit lower bids.
> The competing quote may be legitimate, fabricated,
> or a non-serious proposal from a colluding vendor.
