There is no sensible flat rate for every mechanical tender. The fee should reflect the information available, the number of services, tender value, programme, supply-chain work and the level of commercial review required.
A small measured take-off from coordinated drawings is a different exercise from a full contractor tender requiring specification review, RFQs, labour build-ups, quote levelling, preliminaries and qualifications. Complexity and tender return time usually matter more than drawing count alone.
For a contractor-ready estimate, the output should go beyond quantities. Depending on scope, it can include measured take-offs, supplier and specialist enquiries, labour allowances, quote comparisons, risk items, clarifications, exclusions and a clear tender summary.
A fixed fee gives the contractor certainty before work starts and suits defined tender packages. Hourly support can make sense where information is changing or the requirement is open-ended. We normally review the tender information first and agree the scope before pricing the work.
Outsourcing is particularly useful when the internal estimator is overloaded, a tender arrives unexpectedly, specialist mechanical knowledge is needed or permanent estimating overhead cannot be justified. The comparison is not simply fee versus salary; it is also the value of being able to price more suitable opportunities without expanding fixed overhead.
We review the drawings, specification, schedules, tender instructions and return date, then provide a fee matched to the actual work required. Smaller take-off or budget exercises can be separated from full tender build-ups so you are not paying for work you do not need.
See our mechanical tender checklist, outsourced estimator guide and mechanical estimating service.
Send the tender information and return date. We will review the scope and confirm the support required before work starts.
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