What Do RFP & RFQ Mean In Construction? Free RFP & RFQ Templates

The execution of a construction project heavily relies on making purchases. While it’s no mystery that budgeting and cost control are vital aspects of construction management, the actual act of making purchases is important in and of itself. Whether we’re purchasing material and equipment or contracting out a portion of our work, there’s an art and a science behind the procurement process of a project. Within this process are some common acronyms, specifically RFP and RFQ. What do RFP and RFQ mean in construction? That’s what we’re exploring in this article. We’re also giving away FREE RFP & RFQ templates – scroll to download section!

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Click Here To Download RFQ Template

What Does RFP Mean In Construction?

In the construction industry, RFP stands for Request For Proposal. An RFP is usually issued when an owner, developer or contractor needs some specific tasks performed; tasks that must be taken on by a specialist.

The reason this is referred to as a Request For Proposal is because the recipient must consider the project details, develop their own approach to performing the work and submit a bid for doing so.

In this nature, RFPs represent far more than just requesting the price for a box of screws.



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For example, developers looking to hire General Contractors to construct a building will issue RFPs to several GCs. In turn, the developer is expecting these contractors to outline exactly how they’ll do the job, what their pricing looks like, what is included vs. excluded from their proposed scope of work, etc.

In turn, the General Contractors will issue RFPs to a variety of potential Subcontractors for performing a part of the work. Foundation work, structural steel, plumbing, electric, exterior facade, etc.

When one issues a Request For Proposal, they’re essentially requesting a bid for performing specific work.

What Does RFQ Mean In Construction?

RFQ stands for Request For Quotation. Remember the box of screws mentioned earlier? That’s where an RFQ comes into play. In these instances, a purchaser – contractor, developer or otherwise – knows exactly what they’re looking for. What they don’t know is which vendor can supply the best price, deliver the best overall value, etc.

Here are some common items that are requested on a RFQ form:

  • Hardware & Fasteners
  • Raw Building Materials – Concrete, Masonry, Lumber, Gypsum, Etc.
  • Equipment
  • Tools
  • Safety Provisions

When one issues a Request For Quotation, they’re essentially requesting a price for a specific item.

RFP Best Practices

When issuing Requests For Proposals to contractors, there are a few best practices to keep in mind. Check out these RFP tips:

  • Due Dates: Getting proposals in a timely manner is a must.
  • Project Documents: Provide contractors with access to all drawings, specs and other pertinent documents so they can be reviewed.
  • Legal/Contractual Info: At the time of request, it may be helpful to issue a sample contract to potential contractors. This includes legal terms, insurance/liability, project documents (plans, specs) and more. A contractor might provide a proposal at first but back out once they see the contract later. This prevents that from happening.
  • Qualifications/Exclusions: Request contractors to explicitly state what is assumed or not included. This will eliminate a lot of grey area when it comes time to issue a contract.
  • Scope Of Work: RFPs should clearly denote what the scope of work entails. This includes specific drawing details, written descriptions and checklists.
  • Project Conditions: It can be helpful to request logistical info. from contractors at this stage. You can request their input for onsite utility requirements (electric, water), storage, access/equipment, etc.
  • Schedule: Contractors don’t need to provide a full schedule at this stage in most cases, but they should at least outline expected durations and timeframes, even if they’re approximate. Schedule is one of the most important parts of a project – contractors that can’t meet it shouldn’t get the job.

Make sure to download a FREE Request For Proposal (RFP) Template below!

In order to access this free template, you must first enter your email in the form above. A button will then be visible upon entry, which will allow you to download this template instantly. Occasionally, some readers are not able to see this form. If an email form is not displaying above this section, please try the following steps:

  1. Clear browser cookies for our site and hit refresh.
  2. Visit this page in an ‘incognito’ window.
  3. Visit this page in another browser type.
  4. Email me at pat@solvepmproblems.com.




RFQ Best Practices

While issuing Requests For Quotation is a bit simpler than sending out RFPs, let’s cover a few helpful tips for RFQs too:

  • Documentation: It’s a good idea to supply vendors with specific Product Data Sheets (from manufacturer) for the material you’re looking for. This reduces the likelihood that you’re quoted for the incorrect item. You can also provide them with the written specifications on the project, too. The clearer, the better.
  • Quantities: Is vital that quantities are included on any RFQ form. You’ll probably be quoted a better unit price for a larger quantity, and you’ll also be quoted the correct unit size. For example, fasteners can come in boxes of 50 and also 500. If you’re buying 10,000 fasteners, you can opt for the larger boxes, which are likely cheaper.
  • Logistics: It’s essential that you iron out as much logistical information as possible, too. This includes delivery costs, lead time, loading/unloading at the job site and other operational info.

Make sure to download a FREE Request For Quotation (RFQ) Template below!

In order to access this free template, you must first enter your email in the form above. A button will then be visible upon entry, which will allow you to download this template instantly. Occasionally, some readers are not able to see this form. If an email form is not displaying above this section, please try the following steps:

  1. Clear browser cookies for our site and hit refresh.
  2. Visit this page in an ‘incognito’ window.
  3. Visit this page in another browser type.
  4. Email me at pat@solvepmproblems.com.

RFQs and RFPs in Construction: In Conclusion

The construction industry is full of acronyms, and not knowing them can be frustrating. If you came here wondering what RFP and RFQ stand for in construction, you now know what they mean and some tips on how to use them! I hope this article and the free RFP / RFQ templates have been helpful for you. Thanks a lot for reading.



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