What a bid tab is
A bid tabulation (bid tab) is a side-by-side table of every bid received for a scope of work. Each row is a line item from your bid form; each column is a bidder. The totals row shows who is low - but only after the tab accounts for what each bidder left out.
The columns and rows a useful bid tab needs
- Line items that match your bid form or scope sheet, in the same order for every bidder.
- One column per bidder, using their company name so the tab still makes sense in six months.
- A way to mark items a bidder excluded or left blank - different from a $0 price.
- Totals per bidder, with the low bidder highlighted.
- Notes for alternates, allowances, and qualifications that change the comparison.
How to fill it in
- Add every line item from your scope sheet, even ones only some bidders priced.
- Enter each bidder’s number per line. If a bidder gave you a lump sum only, ask for the breakdown - or enter the lump sum on one line and note it.
- Mark N/I (not included) wherever a bidder excluded an item. Don’t leave it blank and don’t enter zero.
- For each excluded item, add a plug number (usually the average of the other bidders’ prices for that item) so every total covers the same scope.
- Compare the leveled totals, not the raw ones.
Why the raw low bid is often not the low bid
Say three electricians bid $84,000, $91,500 and $96,000. The $84,000 bid excludes the fire alarm rough-in that the other two priced at about $9,000. Level it with a $9,000 plug and it becomes $93,000 - now the $91,500 bidder is actually low. A bid tab that flags exclusions makes this visible before you sign the subcontract.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a bid tab and bid leveling?
A bid tab lists the bids side by side. Bid leveling is the next step: adjusting each bid so all of them cover the same scope, usually by adding plug numbers for excluded items. A good bid tab makes leveling easy.
Should a blank line be treated as $0?
No. A blank usually means the bidder did not include that item, which is a scope gap you will pay for later. Mark it as excluded and add a plug so the totals are comparable.
Is this bid tab free?
Yes, the bid tabulation tool is free and needs no account. TrueBid Pro saves your bid packages so you can reuse bidders and line items on the next job.