Directories and practical tools
Construction scope comparison worksheet
A scope comparison worksheet for lining up supplier quotations item by item, so inclusions, exclusions and assumptions are visible before you compare price.
This worksheet is an editable grid: one column per supplier, one row per scope item. Mark each cell as included, excluded, by others, optional or unclear, and only then compare price. It makes a cheap quotation reveal what it left out.
How to fill it in
- Use the same drawings, specification and RFQ for every supplier (see the RFQ template).
- Read each quotation in full, including notes, footers and attached terms and conditions.
- For each row, enter one of: Included, Excluded, By others, Optional (priced), Unclear.
- Add a short note and the quotation page number to each non-obvious cell.
- Send written questions for every Unclear and update the grid with the answers.
- Price the exclusions yourself, as a placeholder or from other quotes, so you can compare on the same scope.
The rows that most often differ
| Row | Typical difference |
|---|---|
| Design and engineering | One supplier prices them, another assumes the owner supplies them |
| Freight and insurance | Ex-works versus delivered to port versus delivered to site |
| Duties and taxes | Frequently excluded and left for the buyer |
| Fasteners and connectors | Sometimes a separate line, sometimes omitted |
| Installation or supervision | Supply only, supply and supervise, or supply and install |
| Warranty | Different durations and long lists of exclusions |
| Lead time | Counted from order, from deposit, or from drawing approval |
Reading the result
After the grid is filled, look down each column. A column with many Excluded or Unclear cells is not a bargain, it is an incomplete quote. Count the open items and assign each a placeholder cost clearly labelled as your own estimate. Then use how to compare supplier quotations and comparing shell and turnkey prices to move to price. For landed totals, see delivered versus factory price.
Scope boundaries to confirm in writing
- Who is responsible for the foundation and its tolerances: foundation interfaces.
- Who handles permits and approvals. Confirm with the engineer of record and the local authority; a supplier statement alone is not an approval.
- What happens on a substitution: recording substitutions.
- What happens to price after design freeze: design freeze.
The related scope matrix for design, supply and installation approaches the same question from responsibility rather than item. Terms are defined in scope of work.
Keep it with the bid record
Save the completed grid with the quotations in your document library, dated, and share the final version with whoever signs the order. If the supplier later disputes what was included, the written grid and answers are your reference. Read quotations for assumptions too: if a price depends on a quantity, an exchange rate or a delivery month, note it beside the cell.
Questions people ask
Why compare scope before price?
Two quotes can differ by the cost of whole items one supplier left out. Price comparison is only meaningful once scope is aligned.
What do I put in each cell?
Included, Excluded, By others, Optional, or Unclear, plus a short note and the page of the quotation where it appears.
How do I handle Unclear?
Send the supplier a written question and update the grid with its answer.
Can I add columns?
Yes. Edit the options and criteria in the grid to match your bids.
Sources and further reading
Have a project outline or drawings?
Organize your scope, then contact Digital Oro through its official channel. Availability, engineering, pricing and delivery terms need project-specific confirmation.
Explore Digital Oro →Digital Oro International advertises on The Company Chronicle. This guide was written by our editorial team from public sources and general professional practice; it does not describe a guarantee, quote or offer from Digital Oro International. Confirm current terms, prices and availability with the operator before you decide.