How to request a construction material quotation that gets a firm price
, 2 minute read, by Mashrur Corporation
Most slow or vague quotations are caused by the request, not the supplier. If the supplier has to guess the grade, the quantity or the delivery point, the price comes back padded or marked subject to confirmation. A request with seven pieces of information usually gets a firm answer the same day.
The seven things every request needs
- Item and specification: not just rod, but for example 16 mm deformed bar, B500DWR.
- Quantity and unit: tonnes, bags, cubic feet or pieces. Say whether it is the full requirement or a first lot.
- Brand preference, or a statement that any brand meeting the standard is acceptable.
- Delivery point: the site address, and whether a large truck can reach it.
- Delivery date or schedule: one drop, or part loads across several weeks.
- Payment terms you are offering: advance, on delivery, or credit days.
- Documents you need with the goods: challan, mill test certificate, VAT challan (Mushak 6.3).
Ask for the price to be broken down
A single lump figure is hard to compare. Ask for the unit rate of each item, transport shown separately, and VAT and tax stated as included or excluded. Two quotations that look different often turn out to be the same price with transport handled differently.
Ask how long the price is valid. Steel and cement prices in Bangladesh move with the dollar rate and with raw material costs, so a validity of a few days is normal for steel. If you need a price held for a month, say so at the start, because that changes the quotation.
Send the BOQ or drawing if you have one
If the quantities come from a bill of quantities or a structural drawing, attach it. A supplier who can see the bar schedule can point out a diameter that is hard to find, suggest a cutting length that reduces waste, or split the delivery to match the pour sequence.
Compare like with like
Before choosing the lowest figure, check that each quotation covers the same grade, the same brand tier, the same delivery point and the same tax treatment. Then look at the things that do not show in the rate: whether the supplier weighs steel on a weighbridge or bills by theoretical weight, how short deliveries are settled, and who pays if the truck waits at the gate.
This is general guidance. Standards, duties and procurement rules change, so confirm current requirements for your project before acting on it.