Send a bid request (RFQ) to your vendors

A bid request, or request for quote (RFQ), asks your subcontractors to price work on a job. You send it from the job's estimate.

Before you begin

• You need an estimate. It can be approved or not approved.
• Set up your subcontractors in your account with at least an email or phone number, so they can receive the request.

Send a bid request

1. Open the job's estimate.
2. In the left-hand menu, under Production, click Bid requests. You'll see a list of items you can send a request for.
3. Select the item you want priced (for example, a cabinet installer) and click Review and send.
4. Check that these are the items you want to send the RFQ for.
5. Scroll down and click Add vendor.
6. Search for the subcontractor and select them. Repeat to add more vendors.
7. If a vendor has no email or phone number, you'll see a warning. Add their contact information there.
8. Scroll down and set a deadline: one week, two weeks or three weeks, or pick a custom date.
9. Optional: add notes or files, or click Advanced to review what is required and what is not.
10. Click Send to vendor. A confirmation shows that you're waiting on the RFQ.

Check the status and send reminders

1. Click Bid requests to see which requests are sent and which are not sent yet.
2. If a vendor isn't replying or you don't see any movement, send them a reminder.

Next: Award a bid and create a purchase order.