What We Do

Although we can tender for work in the traditional manner, at Main Contracts we are happy to offer an alternative: open-book tendering with guaranteed margins.

So how does open-book tendering work?  When we are invited to price a project, we’ll break our figures down into the schedule of works that you specify.  We also agree our labour rates with you in advance that take into account our office administration costs.  Then, when an invoice is issued, it is accompanied by a spreadsheet showing every supplier cost that our invoice covers, together with the hours that our employees have worked on your job.  Extras are only ever incurred with your knowledge and following an Architect’s Instruction and therefore you have a firm control over your costs.

Not only that, but if there is a more efficient and economic way in which part of the project can be executed, then you can benefit from that saving whilst being safe in the knowledge that no corners have been cut in the build.

Every business has to make a profit and we do this by agreeing a profit percentage on turnover in advance.  This profit is invoiced monthly on the project turnover which has already been invoiced and certified.  We also agree to an incentive uplift to encourage us to be as efficient on site and with our buying, so that we can make savings for our clients whilst maintaining the original quality specification.

We specialise in complicated projects, whether they are listed building refurbishments or difficult sites where the honest, transparent method of open-book tendering really comes into its own by us not having to cost the risk into our price. The client pays for only what is needed to complete the project.

 
The Studio
11 Winterhill Way
Guildford
Surrey GU4 7JX
01483 569 633
Main Contracts building your vision

The most difficult element in deciding on a building project is what it will cost.

At Main Contracts you will always know as our method of costing is to show you the cost sheet and agree the margin is advance. You see it all and what you see is what you pay.