Construction Bid Form: What to Include + Free Template

A construction bid form is the document a contractor submits to offer a price for a project. On public and formal private bids, the owner usually provides a bid form template. On negotiated projects, the GC submits whatever their standard form looks like — which is where scope protection often breaks down.

This guide covers every section a complete bid form should include, how to handle alternates and unit prices, and the clarifications language that prevents disputes after award.

What a Complete Bid Form Includes

Section 1: Bidder Information

Basic identification — company name, address, license number, contact, and date. For public bids this is required. For negotiated work it establishes the official submitting entity for the contract.

• • Contractor name and legal entity type (LLC, Inc., etc.)
• • State contractor license number and expiration
• • Business address and authorized representative
• • Bid submission date
• • Basis of design documents (drawing set date + addenda list)

Section 2: Base Bid Amount

The total lump sum price for all work included in the base bid scope. State both numerically and in words — the written amount controls in case of discrepancy.

Section 3: Alternates

Alternates are scope items the owner may or may not elect to include, priced separately from the base bid. Add alternates add scope; deduct alternates remove it.

List each alternate as specified in the bid documents:

Alternates are evaluated independently — an owner may accept any combination. Verify that your alternates are internally consistent: if Alternate 1 depends on Base Bid scope being included, note the dependency.

Section 4: Unit Prices

Pre-established rates for specific items that may be added or deleted in variable quantities during construction. Unit prices are bound to the contract and used to price change orders without negotiation.

Section 5: Allowances

Amounts included in the base bid for items whose final cost is unknown at bid time. Allowances are not profit-bearing — if a $20,000 allowance is spent as $15,000, the owner gets a $5,000 credit. If it's spent as $22,000, it's a $2,000 change order.

Common allowance items:

• • Owner-selected fixtures or finishes not yet specified
• • Unforeseen underground utilities
• • Testing and inspection costs (if not covered by owner)
• • Landscaping plants (quantity confirmed after final design)

Section 6: Clarifications and Exclusions

The most protective section of your bid form. List every scope item you excluded from your price, and every assumption your price is contingent on.

Section 7: Subcontractor List

List of subs covering each major trade. Required on public bids in most jurisdictions — and standard practice on private work. A missing sub for a major trade is a red flag that the number isn't firm.

Section 8: Bid Bond

Attached to the bid form when required (typically 5–10% of bid amount). Confirms the contractor is bondable and will enter into contract at the bid price. If the owner requires performance and payment bonds at contract award, state your bonding capacity here.

Common Bid Form Mistakes

• ✗Leaving alternates blank. If you didn't price it, write "No Bid" or "$0 — not included." A blank space implies you forgot to fill it in.
• ✗No document date basis. If the owner issues a new set the day before bid, you need to know — and document — whether your price is based on the new set.
• ✗Vague exclusions language. "Excludes unforeseen conditions" without defining what "unforeseen" means creates a dispute the day you hit something unexpected underground.
• ✗Not listing open RFIs. If you submitted RFIs and haven't received answers, your price is contingent on the answers. Note this explicitly or you own the risk either way.