Architects & owners
Send your drawings out to bid. PAC runs the invitation.
Post the drawings and specs once. PAC's office invites the contractors, keeps every bidder on the same information, reviews each bid and returns the bids to you side by side.
- Architects & designers
- Commercial owners
- Property managers
- Condo & HOA boards
01 What you hand PAC
Your bid package, and who you want to see it
Post it online from your account, or call the Youngstown office and we'll help you post it.
- Drawings and specificationsUpload the drawing set, the specs and any other documents. They travel with the job to every bidder.
- The scopeDescribe the work, and add photos of the site or the existing conditions.
- Your clientPost the project for yourself, or on behalf of the owner you are working for.
- Who to inviteTell us which contractors you want invited, or ask PAC to line up qualified contractors by trade.
- Or open it upOpen the bidding to the contractors in your area who work in that trade.
- How to split itBid the project as one job, or in parts by trade.
02 What PAC does
One office runs the bidding from invitation to review
Reviews the package
PAC's office reviews every posting before a contractor sees it, and calls you if anything needs filling in. Bidders start with what they need to price the work.
Runs the invitation to bid
For an invitation, PAC's office sets the invited list and sends the invitation to those contractors. For an open bid, the job goes to the area's contractors in that trade. A job can also be shown in neighboring areas.
Keeps bidders on the same information
Contractors send their questions through the job's messages. PAC's office coordinates the answers with you, so every bidder prices the same information.
Reviews every bid
Before a bid reaches you, the office checks that it covers the scope and is complete.
03 What you get back
Bids side by side, on the same scope
A clear comparison
- Same scope, side by sideEach bid shows its price, start date and how long the work will take.
- You and your client chooseApprove the bid you want. PAC confirms the choice and introduces you to the contractor.
- Then a contractThe contractor sends a contract to review and sign, and you agree on the start date and payment schedule.
Who is bidding
- By invitationYou know who was invited, because the invited list is yours or one PAC lined up for you.
- Open bidsBids are shown by letter (Contractor A, B, C) with ratings and past work. Names are shared once PAC confirms your choice.
- Your office contactThe same PAC office that ran the bidding stays available after the award.
04 Project parts
Split the project by trade
- Each part is bid separatelyBreak the project into parts, such as electrical, HVAC and painting. Contractors bid the part that fits their trade.
- Invitation or open, part by partRun one part by invitation and open another to the area.
- Award part by partApprove one contractor for everything, different contractors for different parts, or one part now and the rest later.
Tenant fit-out · 3 parts
Example| Part | Bidding | Bids in |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | By invitation | 4 |
| HVAC | By invitation | 3 |
| Painting | Open to the area | 5 |
05 Large and multi-location work
Bigger than one area
Neighboring areas and Nationwide
PAC is organized into local areas. A job can be shown to contractors in neighboring areas to widen the field.
Nationwide handles large projects across several locations, for contractors who travel.
Contractors equipped for commercial work
PAC contractors run the job with a schedule of values, pay applications with retainage, lien waivers, change orders, certified payroll and job costing.
06 What it costs
The price you compare is the price you pay
Every bid you receive is a complete price for the work, so you and your client compare real totals.
Customers pay a membership, normally $59 and free for a limited time, plus a layout fee only if they choose the optional layout visit.
Have a set of drawings ready to go out?
Create your account and post the project, or call the Youngstown office at (330) 792-8116.
Real people · since 2006
A real office and a local team
People at the Youngstown office review your project and each bid before you see it. In the Youngstown area, the pro who measures your job is part of that same team.