What is a bid set?
A bid set is the set of drawings (and usually specifications) that contractors use to price a project before it’s built. The owner or architect sends it to bidders so everyone prices the same scope.
What’s usually in a bid set
| Part | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Cover and sheet index | Project info and the list of sheets |
| Architectural | Plans, elevations, sections, details |
| Structural / MEP | Framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (when the project has them) |
| Specifications | Materials and workmanship requirements, often a separate book |
| Addenda | Changes issued during bidding |
What a bid set contains depends on the project and the design team.
Bid set vs permit set vs construction set
- Permit set: what the building department reviews to issue a permit. See What is a permit set?
- Bid set: what contractors price from. It may be issued before every detail is final.
- Construction set: the drawings the job is built from, updated with revisions after award.
Printing bid sets
Bidders often each need a full set, so print copies × sheets. At $1.95 per sheet black & white, a 30-sheet set for 4 bidders (120 sheets) is $234.00 in printing. Each set can ship nationwide to a different office or job site. Order by 3 PM ET, ships same day, arrives as soon as the next day. More: bid set printing: how many copies.
FAQ
Do bid sets have to be full size?
It depends on the owner’s instructions. Many bidders use full size so they can measure.
What happens when an addendum changes a sheet?
Print only the revised sheets. See print revised sheets.
Can I mix B&W and color sheets in a bid set?
Yes, in the same order.
