Tender Tips for Tradies 

Tendering for local or government projects is one of the most effective ways to grow your trade business. Winning tenders provides long-term income stability, strengthens your reputation, and builds credibility as a reliable, professional contractor. It helps you form new partnerships, deepen existing client relationships, and unlock new business opportunities. 

This guide shares six simple tender writing tips to help you win more work. 

1. Read Everything Carefully 

Start by reading the tender documents thoroughly. Understanding the requirements upfront helps you decide whether the opportunity is the right fit and ensures your bid meets all expectations. 

Pay close attention to: 

• Project scope and specifications – What’s the project aiming to achieve? What are its technical and service requirements? Submitting a tender can take time and resources, so only pursue opportunities that match your expertise. 

• Compliance and mandatory criteria – Identify every rule, requirement, and eligibility condition. Missing even one can result in automatic disqualification. 

• Deadlines and submission details – Government and local authority tenders often use specific online platforms with strict word counts, file formats, and multi-stage submission steps. Allow time to familiarise yourself with the process. 

2. Understand What the Buyer Wants 

Strong tenders don’t just describe what you do, they demonstrate that you understand what the buyer needs. 

You can do this by: 

• Analysing the tender documents – Look for how the evaluation criteria are weighted. This will help you focus on what matters most to the buyer. 

• Attending briefings and asking questions – If the buyer offers pre-tender briefings, workshops, or site visits, take part. These sessions give valuable insights into their priorities and show you’re engaged and proactive. 

• Not overlooking small details – Every inclusion in the tender documents has a purpose. Missing a single point, attachment, or compliance rule can cost you the contract. 

3. Be Clear, Honest, and Specific 

Once you’ve understood the buyer’s expectations, focus on crafting a clear and credible bid. 

• Address all criteria directly – Make it easy for assessors to find the evidence they’re looking for. 

• Tailor your response – Highlight how your services meet the buyer’s priorities. Emphasise your strengths, such as local experience, community impact, or innovative methods. 

• Keep your tone professional and consistent – Use short, direct sentences that are easy to follow. 

• Provide evidence – Support your claims with facts, figures, and examples from past projects. Avoid exaggeration — honesty builds trust. 

• Show your credentials – Include relevant qualifications, safety certifications, and proof of compliance with health, safety, and labour regulations. 

4. Make Your Pricing Make Sense 

Competitive pricing is important, but being the cheapest doesn’t always win. Buyers are looking for value for money, so your pricing should clearly show the quality and reliability you offer. 

To make your pricing stand out: 

• Calculate all your costs – Include materials, labour, equipment, transport, insurance, and overheads to make sure your bid is sustainable. 

• Research competitors – Understand market rates and where you can add extra value. 

• Provide a transparent breakdown – Clearly explain what’s included in your pricing. This builds trust and avoids confusion. 

• Justify your rates – Explain how your price reflects your experience, reliability, and high standards. Include details such as warranties, processes, and customer support that enhance value. 

• Avoid undercutting – Extremely low pricing can raise doubts about quality and make projects unprofitable. Focus instead on demonstrating your value and efficiency. 

5. Review Before You Submit 

Many bids lose points for small mistakes. Always review your bid before submission. Check for: 

• Missing attachments or inconsistent details 

• Spelling and grammatical errors 

• Formatting issues 

• Word count or page limit compliance 

Finishing your draft early gives you time to review and refine. If possible, have someone else read it, a fresh pair of eyes can catch details you might have missed. 

6. Keep Learning and Keep Bidding 

Not every bid will win, and that’s normal. Tendering is a skill that improves with experience. Each submission helps you refine your approach, strengthen your brand, and increase your chances of success next time. 

By applying these six tender writing tips, you’ll be better prepared to showcase your expertise, demonstrate value, and win more work for your business. 

Need some extra support? Check out this article on how AutogenAI can supplement your workflow, so you can submit better bids in less time.