Choosing the right general contractor (GC) can make or break your project. For owners, developers, or construction managers, the bidding process isn’t just about comparing numbers—it’s about cutting through uncertainty and ensuring your selected GC truly understands, and is prepared for the job. To do that, you need to ask tough, clarifying questions—what we like to call “brutal bid questions”—that reveal scope gaps, highlight risk, and set expectations from the start.

But what exactly makes a question “brutal”? It’s not about confrontation or nitpicking. It’s about getting to the core of a GC’s approach and uncovering details that might otherwise be glossed over. These questions protect your interests, drive transparency, and help you make a decision based on facts, not assumptions.

This guide will help you master the art of asking the right questions, spotting red flags, and confidently selecting a contractor you can trust.

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Why Asking Brutal Bid Questions Matters

Bid reviews often get stuck in the weeds: comparing costs, schedules, and generic promises. But to avoid major headaches down the road—change orders, budget overruns, schedule delays—you need to dig deeper. Tough questions force GCs to clarify exactly what they’re offering, how they manage risk, and whether they’re equipped for your project’s unique challenges.

By asking these questions, you can:

• Expose Scope Gaps: Identify what’s included, what’s missing, and what might come back as a change order later.
• Reveal Experience and Foresight: Learn whether the GC has anticipated project-specific issues or is just relying on boilerplate answers.
• Reduce Surprises: Ensure the bidding process uncovers any lurking uncertainties upfront, when you can still address them.

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Examples of Brutal Bid Questions for GCs

1. "What assumptions have you made about site conditions and existing infrastructure?"

Push your GC to spell out any unknowns—such as soil quality, hidden utilities, or demolition requirements—that could impact cost and schedule. Look for detailed, project-specific answers, not generalities.

2. “How have you addressed material availability and lead times in your schedule?”

Supply chain issues are everywhere. Ask the GC to walk you through their sourcing strategy for critical materials and discuss any long-lead items or alternatives they’ve considered.

3. “Can you explain any exclusions or qualifications attached to your bid?”

This question uncovers what the GC isn’t providing. Vague exclusions can signal risk-shifting and may signal a flood of change orders.

4. “How will you coordinate with our architect, engineer, and other key stakeholders?”

Collaboration drives success. Ask about meeting schedules, communication protocols, and digital tools to ensure everyone stays aligned throughout construction.

5. “Which portions of the job do you plan to self-perform versus subcontract?”

Understanding how the GC allocates work gives you insight into project oversight, quality, and potential bottlenecks.

6. “What’s your contingency plan for unexpected challenges—like bad weather, labor shortages, or permit delays?”

Well-prepared GCs will have specific examples ready. Skeptical answers or hand-waving indicate unpreparedness.

7. “How do your bid numbers align with your project schedule and milestones?”

Ask the GC to connect the dots: can they deliver, or is something out of sync between their costs and their timeline?

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When to Push Back—and When to Move On

Not every answer will satisfy you—and that’s the point. The brutal bid question is designed to reveal whether a GC is truly prepared or just hoping for the best. Here’s when you should push back:

• If answers are vague, generic, or evasive: Request specifics in writing. The right GC will welcome the chance to clarify.
• If scope gaps appear: Ask for a revised, comprehensive bid before proceeding.
• If exclusions or contingencies seem unreasonable: Challenge them. This protects you from surprise costs later.

But sometimes it’s better to walk away. Move on to another GC if:

• They refuse to answer or deflect responsibility: A lack of transparency or accountability now will only get worse.
• Their bid is littered with exclusions, unsupported assumptions, or contradictory answers: This is a recipe for disputes.
• You sense unwillingness to collaborate: Building a project takes teamwork. If the right foundation isn’t there, look elsewhere.

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Making the Right Choice

Selecting a GC is about more than cost—it’s about trust and clarity. Brutal bid questions are your best tool for testing both. The answers you receive (and the way they’re delivered) will help you spot the contractors who are committed, thorough, and honest—and identify those best left behind.

Want a more streamlined way to manage bids, clarify questions, and compare answers? Outbidd is designed to empower owners, developers, and construction managers with a transparent platform that organizes submissions, documents clarifications, and ensures no detail falls through the cracks.

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Interested in learning more? Book a demo on our website at outbidd.com or reach out to us at hey@outbidd.com. It’s time to take the guesswork our our bidding.