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• PRO

  Andy February 4, 2016 at 12:15pm

  If you look at the parish council minutes (publicly available documents) it should have on there the monthly charges by the current contractor. Alternatively the annual report by the PC will have the financial breakdowns. Again a public document. These are available on line if the PC has a website or via the Parish Secretary. Use these as your base. But don't quote on that figure alone, you know your costs and overheads. PCs don't always go for the cheapest they also have to consider localy based contractors and safety records.
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  Colin Hunt February 4, 2016 at 3:26pm

  Agree with Andy re the basis for pricing.  As you haven't dealt with this type of contract before, it will be very important that you get your documentation in place, eg Risk Assessments, H & S etc.  They may require you to 'up' your insurance, but the specs will specify the amount. Any public works or commercial contracts we have all stipulate £10m cover.

  We had a long relationship with a local Parish Council and once they find someone reliable an they like, they are very loyal.  We also benefited from many of spin-offs, including the planting of a Community Wood with almost 3,000 trees, which I have been proudly watching mature over the past 20 odd years.

  Good luck Craig, there are plenty on here who will be happy to help you out.
• PRO

  Richard Gadsby February 4, 2016 at 5:38pm

  I would meet with the clerk of the parish.
  Be honest with them.
  Don't forget the cost is all public record so don't be afraid to ask what they paid last year.
  It's good they are providing the mower but check what happens when it breaks?!
  • PRO

    Craig > Richard Gadsby February 4, 2016 at 6:20pm

    Thanks for the replies, i have checked their website and this year will be the 1st year they have provided the mower.
    This is not a tender they are looking for a minimum of 3 quotes.
    My concern is the reliability of their mower and where i stand if and when breakdowns occur and whether the machine is upto the job?
    I may have to pass on this one.
    • PRO

      Andy > Craig February 4, 2016 at 6:49pm

      Put in a quote but add a caveat stating that the responsibilty of the mower remains with the PC as does cost of maintenance but you will take on running costs for a negotiable sum.
    • PRO

      Richard Gadsby > Craig February 4, 2016 at 6:52pm

      How big a job is it?
      it's does sound strange that they are providing the mower.
      They have to get a minimum of 3 quotes in.(where possible) why do you say it's not a tender?
      I suppose it depends how much you want the work?
      • PRO

        Andy > Richard Gadsby February 4, 2016 at 7:05pm

        I suspect that it's not a tender in the true sense. However provide a quote and added info re liability etc
        • PRO

          Richard Gadsby > Andy February 4, 2016 at 7:14pm

          Maybe:)
          As I understand to tender is to provide a written quotation along with others for a certain service/product
          • PRO

            Andy > Richard Gadsby February 4, 2016 at 11:49pm

            Yes. But a full on tendering process requires Risk Assesment documents, Proof of liability, certifications, written report on what, wher, how and when. A quote is a set price for a set job. An estimate is a movable price for a set job and a suck of the teeth and a dodgy handshake usually means either the job will not get done or will not get paid.
            
            You can tender for a job and also quote dpending on the clients requirements. Usally big gov orgs or big companies want tenders everyone else is realistic and will happily accept quotes.
            
            I hate tendering I love quoting!
• PRO

  Craig February 4, 2016 at 7:51pm

  It appears the mower to be provided is a Mountfield 1640h.
  PC minutes show payments of £500.00 per month for grass cutting.
  I am awaiting clarification of sizes of areas as drawings provided are poor blurred copies. Having said that the playing field alone looks to be .987ha.
  I have yet to make a site visit.