Tender for constructional work may be obtained either in competition or by negotiation. Choice of the most suitable procedure according to the circumstances is one of the most important decisions to be taken at an early stage, and is one of the matters on which the Quantity Surveyor's advice is most valuable.

Competitive tendering based on selected firm of contractors being invited to submit tenders on Bills of Quantities is still the most widely favoured procedure.

The Quantity Surveyor can advise on the selection of suitable firms to be invited to tender in this way, according to the type and size of a job and the general standard of workmanship and skill that may be required.

Whatever the circumstances, the Quantity Surveyor can advise on the most satisfactory tendering procedure. If it is desired to have the best of both worlds, that is to appoint the Contractor early in the design process and at the same time to retain the advantages of competition, there are various ways in which this can be done. Here again the Quantity Surveyor can advise.

It is sometimes said the constructional work costs more when a tender is negotiated than when it is obtained in competition, but this is not necessarily so. The Quantity Surveyor's knowledge and experience in the field of methods of construction, cost and prices place him in a strong position as a negotiator on his Client's behalf.

The advise which the Quantity Surveyor can give is selection of contractors and obtaining tenders can also be applied to the choice of sub-contractors and suppliers and obtaining of estimates from them.
CEP.