June 2006 Newsletter
"Why should I pay for a scope?"
Many people ask "1. What is a scope?" "2. Why should I pay for this?" "3. How will it benefit me?"
- What is a scope?
Simply put a scope is a set of instructions that details the exact work that needs to be done, the procedures to be followed, and the products to be used. Often times the scope will even detail what hidden damages should be expected.
Here is one for-instance we run into everyday.
Party A new siding and paint on their building. They ask Company B, C, and D to go and bid the new siding and paint.
Company B turns in their bid at $22,194.00, C turns in their bid at $14,600.00 and D comes in with $31,625.00.
Now all things being equal you award the job to Company C they do as asked and replace the siding on your building and even paint it, everything is great you pay the check and go about your merry way.
Six months later you need to put a new roof on this same building the roofing contractor explains he will have to tear off the new siding along the roof rake so his flashing can properly be installed. And then he explains to you that had you put a sacrificial rake on all your roof elevations his price would be much less.
HMMMM time to call Company C and ask why he didn't do that. The answer: "You didn't ask for that product in your original RFP, we could have installed this product but there would be additional costs."
The next day the roofing contractor calls and says "I found one of your leaks, its not coming from the siding itself, your old tar paper is ripped and nothing was done about it before the new siding was put on."
Well you have the cure for that you have the guarantee from Company C. You hop to the phone just to hear. "You didn't ask for that we could have but that costs extra."
"Wow Company C really isn't a very good company" That is the first thing many people will think.
Now 4 years have passed and you see that you have some leaks around some windows where the caulk has dried out and separated knowing a leak could turn out to be costly you call Company D not Company C to fix this problem. After inspection Company D comes back to tell you that all your windows were done with latex caulk and it would have been better if they were done with a 1 part polyurethane sealant. This is a method they use on all there jobs.
Do you call Company C?
Heck no who wants to hear "You didn't ask for that we could have but that costs extra."
The simple truth of the matter is most company's want your business and if you don't ask for specific things they are not going to bid the job with those items done because if do they will loose the bid to the next contractor.
A scope is a detailed look at your specific needs and a set of instructions that outlines the solutions. With a scope every contractor is bidding on the exact same work and procedure.
- Why should I pay for this?
A detailed scope done properly includes many hours of work in inspection, exact measurements, pictures, and in many cases some minor removal to determine unseen conditions. Not to mention that it must all be written up and presented for your approval and discussion as there is always more then one way to approach a problem.
In many cases you can hire an engineer who will accurately map out an entire job and most will even spot check the work while it is in progress to insure that it is being carried out the way they agree with. But this often more money then some people want to pay for this service.
- How will it benefit me?
A scope will insure that all your needs are being addressed in the most cost effective way without compromising the quality required. It also insured that when you put a job out for bid that all contractors are bidding on the same work. It's a matter of comparing apples to apples. As opposed to apples to car wax.
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