Criteria for Selecting a Bid

When property owners are ready to select a bid from three or more proposals, how do they do it? Usually three answers come up: the cheapest, a friend's recommendation, or the fastest. Each of these criteria may or may not bring you a successful project completion. However, a few other factors are important to consider.

Eight Criteria for Making a Decision:

1. Cost: Is the projected cost fair and competitive?
2. References: Are there testimonials for the quality and service provided?
3. Efficiency: Can the work be scheduled in a timely way, including permits, permissions, and inspections to proceed legally and including weather conditions that ensure quality?
4. Reliability: Will the contractor do what it takes to get the job done right through completion and project approval?
5. Competency: Can the bidder explain to you what needs to be done and how, so that you understand and agree with the plan of action?
6. Credibility: Does the bidder have updated and paid-up insurance and other requirements for operating in your city, county, or state?
7. Accountability: Will the bidder take full responsibility for the performance of the labor?
8. Value-added: Will the bidder offer any extra value for your business, such as a blog site for informing customers or free bids?

We trust that these factors will guide you to a clear selection of the best bid for you. We may not always be the cheapest, but we will provide you with the best value for your dollar. You may not have a friend who had a good experience with a contractor, but we can provide you with references. We may not be the fastest, but we will take the time to do your project well and right. We serve the Greater Kansas City area as well as Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth, and Miami Counties in Kansas. Call us at 913.492.3881 for a free bid.

Get to Know Your Contractor

Part of the homework a construction customer or client will want to complete is getting to know the contractor who will perform the work required (including compliance with codes and regulations) and the work desired (the wishes and dreams of the property owner). You will want to know how easy it is to communicate with the contractor, how reliable the contractor is, and how competent the contractor is.

With that in mind, we like to introduce ourselves:
Karen Anderson is the principal owner and manager of Outdoor Construction, Inc. She manages the office, including phone messages, paperwork, marketing, strategic planning, official communication and reporting. Karen is a teacher who worked in construction management and materials procurement during the summers in New Mexico. In 1996 she assisted Lans with the upstart of Outdoor Enterprises, a sole-proprietorship, in Kansas. In 1998 the company was incorporated as Outdoor Construction, Inc. (Karen is the old person with gray hair. She enjoys working with the guys,and they keep her laughing and hustling.)

Lanson (Lans) Hotchkiss is the president and secondary owner of the company. He is the lead estimator (bidder) and welder, the senior equipment operator, master concrete finisher, field supervisor, and overall trouble-shooter and problem-solver. He has 16 years of experience in the field, and his input into strategic management has been essential to the success of our business. (Lans is the short guy wearing boots no matter the weather.)

Corey Springer is the lead electrician and foreman with 7 years of experience in the construction industry. Corey does some welding and operating, as well. His customer service focus is an asset to our business. (Corey is the tall guy wearing athletic shoes and blocking the clouds.)

We do our best to maintain a good sense of humor and a strong sense of service in a competitive industry. Let us assist you on your next project (913.492.3881).