What Tools are Helpful for Pre-Bid Site Visits?

MeyerFire University | FX102.04

By Chris Logan, CFPS, RSE

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What do I need to do a pre-bid site visit?

Performing tenant improvements or retrofitting sprinkler systems into existing buildings can have many challenges early in the design and estimation process.

Being properly prepared for these meetings can be the difference between a profitable project in a severe money pit.

Here are few tools that I use to prepare for and use during pre bid site visits to ensure I get exactly what I need to do.

The job document management with PlanGrid and a tablet PlanGrid allows me to make notes, upload pictures of site conditions and take measurements from scale drawings by uploading existing building drawings, tender documents or codes, and standards to a document management software such as plain grid tablets can be an effective way to streamline your document managed process.

By utilizing different applications or programs, PDF can be uploaded and marked up or red line directly onto the tablet.

​My current setup is an iPad with an Apple Pen.

DeWalt measuring devices.

When building floor plans or existing system drawings are not available, laser distance measuring tapes are my go to for quick room and site condition measurements confirming attender drawing scale should always be done before using the scale to measure large portions of the project.

Drawing the DeWalt fat Max tape measure is always on my hip for short quick measurements and I keep it to Dewalt DW 03101 in my kit to speed up this process with the laser cameras.

Documenting the existing conditions of the site with either a picture or a video is a great way to go back and review or confirm the on site conditions, especially when relaying that information to another member of your design or estimating team by simply taking pictures or video, you can reduce your chance of conflict on site with general contractors or project managers on issues of things that may or may not have been apparent.

During the estimation process, most smartphones today have more than adequate cameras for documenting site conditions.

The software I use PlanGrid allows me to attach pictures with a link directly to the drawing in the area it was.

Personal protection Equipment. Sites can be dangerous places, at a minimum, safety glasses, vests, and boots should be worn during all site visits. If an active construction site, hard hats are also to be worn. Additional PPE may be required depending on the site conditions or legal requirements. Ensure safety is your top priority.

Ensuring you have the proper tools to conduct proper site revisits can eliminate revisits to the site, missed site conditions that affect design, and can cost you in lost profit down the road.

I'm Chris Logan, this is MeyerFire University.