# How to win general contracting and renovation work from BC public buyers

> BC school districts, municipalities, health authorities and housing providers tender renovations and small building projects as general contracts, often on CCDC standard contracts. The general contractor prices the whole job, hires the trades, and usually becomes prime contractor for safety. Expect bid security on larger jobs, a schedule, a site superintendent, and references for similar projects.

By: CrewBid Team. Source page: https://crewbid.tech/guides/general-contracting-public-work-bc

Public buyers do a lot of small construction: an accessible washroom, a new reception area, a classroom conversion, a seismic upgrade, a fire hall renovation. Big projects go to large builders, but a great many jobs fall in the range a small general contractor can handle well.

## Who buys renovations and small projects?

- **School districts**, for summer renovations, accessibility upgrades and modernizations.
- **Municipalities**, for civic buildings, rec centres, fire halls and park buildings.
- **Health authorities**, for clinic fit-outs and renovations in occupied hospitals.
- **Housing providers**, for unit renovations and building upgrades.

_Live bid numbers for this topic are on the web page: https://crewbid.tech/guides/general-contracting-public-work-bc_

## What does a general contract look like?

Public renovation tenders usually come with drawings and specifications from an architect or engineer, a bid form and a standard contract. In Canada many use **CCDC** documents, such as a stipulated price contract, with the buyer's supplementary conditions. The consultant answers questions, issues addenda and certifies your progress payments.

You price the whole job: your own work, every subtrade, general conditions (supervision, site office, clean-up, temporary protection) and allowances listed in the tender.

## What does being general contractor mean for safety?

On a site where workers of two or more employers work at the same time, someone must be **prime contractor**, coordinating safety for everyone. On a public renovation that is usually the general contractor, by written agreement with the owner. It means a site safety plan, orientation for every trade, and checking each subcontractor's training and clearance. See [what being prime contractor means](https://crewbid.tech/guides/prime-contractor-bc).

## How do I price a public renovation?

1. **Get subtrade prices early.** Send drawings to at least two firms per trade, and chase them before closing day.
2. **Price general conditions by time**: superintendent, site setup, protection and clean-up for each week on site.
3. **Check allowances and alternates** the tender lists, and price exactly what's asked.
4. **Read the schedule.** Summer-only school work can force overtime or a bigger crew.
5. **Carry contingency for older buildings**, where hidden conditions are common.

> [!tip]
> Hazardous materials reports come with many renovation tenders. Abatement is usually the first trade on site, so line up a licensed abatement subcontractor before you bid.

## What wins?

- **A complete, correct bid form** at a fair price. Most of these tenders are low compliant bid.
- **Bid security** when it's asked for. See [how to get bonded](https://crewbid.tech/guides/how-to-get-bonded-bc).
- **A named superintendent** and a realistic schedule.
- **References** for similar work in occupied buildings.

## When do renovation tenders come out?

Capital budgets are approved early in the year, so most renovation tenders come out from January to May. School work has to be finished before September, which puts pressure on summer schedules and subtrades. Health authorities and housing providers tender through the year.

## What are common mistakes?

- **Missing a subtrade** and covering it yourself at a loss.
- **Not reading every addendum**, especially ones that change drawings.
- **Underpricing general conditions** on a job that runs longer than planned.
- **Forgetting bid security** or signing the wrong form.

Each one is avoidable with a checklist and a second read before closing.

## Where to go next

Read [subcontracting on public work](https://crewbid.tech/guides/subcontracting-public-work) for the other side of the relationship, and [change orders and extra work](https://crewbid.tech/articles/change-orders-extra-work) before you start.

## Sources

- [CCDC standard construction documents](https://www.ccdc.org/)
- [Prime contractor role and responsibilities (WorkSafeBC)](https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/prime-contractor-role-responsibilities)
- [Why a clearance letter is needed (WorkSafeBC)](https://www.worksafebc.com/en/insurance/why-clearance-letter)