Construction Administration & Bid Leveling in the Atlanta Metro Area
By Delano Designs
When Three Bids Land Forty Percent Apart
Three contractors bid your project and the numbers land forty percent apart.
One excluded the electrical. One assumed cheaper windows. One is the only person who read the drawings carefully, and their number looks the worst.
This is the moment most homeowners are asked to make the largest financial decision with the least information, and it's the reason many of our clients call us in the first place.
At Delano Designs, we level the bids, explain what the differences actually mean, negotiate on your behalf, and then stay on through construction as the person answering the field's questions and protecting the design you paid for.
How Bid Leveling Works
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We issue one consistent scope:
Every contractor prices the same documented project, so nobody is bidding a different house. -
We normalize the proposals:
Line by line, we identify what each bid includes, excludes, and assumes, then restate them on common terms. -
We find the real differences:
Allowances, exclusions, and unstated assumptions are where the gap usually lives, not in labor rates. -
We evaluate the builders:
Licensing, insurance, relevant experience, current workload, and whether they're a fit for your project and your house. -
We negotiate:
Scope, terms, allowances, and schedule, with your interests as the only interests we represent. -
Then we stay:
RFIs, field conditions, design clarifications, site observations, inspection support, material procurement, and punch-list closeout.
Questions About Construction Administration & Preconstruction Coordination
- Will you put my contractor’s proposal out to other bidders?expand_more
- No. If you already have a builder, or intend to hire one, we work with them to align the proposal, design documents, selections, responsibilities, and schedule. Competitive bidding is not the automatic next step. We agree on the approach with you at the outset.
- Why not just take the lowest bid on a custom home or remodel?expand_more
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Not necessarily. A lower number can reflect efficiency, or it can reflect an exclusion or assumption that hasn’t been assigned yet. That’s why we compare proposals against the same documented project, and why an exclusion is often something to assign and budget for rather than a flaw in the proposal.
- Who pays the contractor?expand_more
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You do, directly. We never hold construction funds or carry the build, which keeps our recommendations independent and focused on your project. We work alongside your contractor, not in competition with them.
- What happens if something is built wrong?expand_more
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We observe the work, document anything that doesn’t match the drawings, and coordinate the correction with your contractor. Our reference point is the document set, which is why thorough documentation before construction starts matters.
Our Process
What's Included in Construction Administration & Bid Leveling:
Design & Project Management Cost Guide
Your project deserves the highest quality of design and expert management. To start your planning process off the right way, access our comprehensive cost guide today!
Where We Work
We design remodels throughout metro Atlanta, with a concentration in intown neighborhoods where the homes have real architectural character and owners are investing to stay rather than move. Older housing stock takes more planning, and that's the work we're built for. If your home is outside the areas below, reach out anyway and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
Our Service Area
- Alpharetta
- Ansley Park
- Brookhaven
- Buckhead
- Chamblee
- Intown Atlanta
- Morningside
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
- Virginia-Highland
Hear From Your Neighbors
Nini L.
Brett A.
Henry
Ty H.
Taha A.
Don't Compare Bids Alone
Let's Talk About Your Project
Delano Designs levels contractor bids into a real comparison, negotiates on your behalf, and stays on site through closeout to protect the design you paid for. Send us your bids or your drawings and let's talk.