A short guide: writing an RFP that actually gets you the right contractor.
What to specify, what to leave flexible, and the three things that separate strong bids from weak ones.
Most RFPs fail not because they ask for too little, but because they ask for the wrong things. A strong RFP defines the outcome, not the means. It leaves room for the contractor's experience to add value to the solution.
Specify: site conditions, occupancy constraints, phasing requirements, key milestones, and any brand-standard or tenant documentation that exists. Leave flexible: means and methods, trade sequencing, and which subs are used — unless you have a specific reason.
Three markers of a strong bid: line-item clarity with documented assumptions, a written schedule with realistic milestones, and a named single point of contact who will run the job. If a bidder can't provide all three, they're going to create problems for you later.
Finally, ask for three active client references — by name, title, property, and phone. Any contractor who hesitates is telling you something.