General
Shortlister is the Internet's premier marketplace for the efficient pairing of bidders and solicitors of construction-related projects. The Shortlister marketplace was created to directly address the current needs of constituents within the construction industry. Shortlister provides a more efficient medium for identifying and procuring project opportunities, quicker execution, flexible bidding and solicitation mediums, greater solicitation and bidding process control and up-to-date market costing information.
2. What forms of payment does Shortlister accept?
Shortlister is 100% free for its members to use – whether you are a Solicitor, Bidder or member searching our database.
3. I need technical support. Who do I contact?
If you experience trouble signing up, utilizing any aspects of our site or have trouble logging in as an existing user, Shortlister will be happy to assist you directly. Please go HERE to submit an inquiry.
4. I want to make a change to my personal account information. How do I change my account information?
After logging in click on Account Manager and through the “My Profile” link, you can review, edit and update your personal account information.
Please click Advertise in order to receive additional information on how to advertise on Shortlister.
Solicitor FAQ
1. How many bids will I receive for the projects I post on Shortlister?
The number of bids you will receive is dependent on the number of bidders that have a trade specialty matching your project, are located within your area and that have a desire to work on your project. Your posted solicitation entices bidders to submit a quote through Shortlister.
2. How is the winning bidder determined for my project(s)?
Shortlister will not determine the winning bidder. The purpose of Shortlister is to efficiently pair solicitors and bidders of construction-related projects. In doing so, Shortlister will produce a “Shortlist” for Solicitors based on the number of bids received. The Shortlist allows solicitors to broaden their network when soliciting bids for projects to ensure they are contacting the right people and have multiple price comparisons.
3. Can Bidders see my contact information when bidding on my project(s)?
If you choose to share your personal information when soliciting a project the information you provide will be viewable to bidders interested in reviewing your project. This is highly normal within the construction industry as most bidders will not bid on a project “blindly” (not knowing the solicitor).
4. What charges will I incur from Shortlister?
Shortlister is 100% free for all members to enjoy.
5. What is the maximum number of projects that I can post on Shortlister?
There is no limit to the number of projects you can post on Shortlister. Each project is given a unique Project ID which allows our database to accurately track and record the progress of each bid process. MyShortlist is a dynamic account management tool which allows you to view, track and retrieve active and historical projects.
6. Can Shortlister help me select a contractor for my project?
Shortlister does not give personal recommendations nor does it promote one Bidder over another Bidder. Shortlister believes that its active community provides an efficient marketplace for the most optimal pairing of solicitors and bidders. If your project does not receive any bids please visit our Business Cards section of Shortlister which allows you to search for construction professionals located in your area.
7. How do bidders find my project?
Shortlister has a continually growing community of bidders that are eager to find additional work. When you submit a project you enter specific information about your project such as: zip code; construction category (commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, maintenance); project type; estimated value; bid deadline; and a description and/or drawings/blueprints/schematics. Utilizing this information, Shortlister’s database allows Bidders to perform dynamic searches across multiple characteristics – if your project falls within the Bidders search criteria they will be able to review your project. In addition, when Bidders signup on Shortlister, they can elect to receive automatic emails informing them when new projects are posted which meet their search criteria. As a Solicitor, you receive instant access to a motivated group of Bidders eager to quote your project.
8. Why am I not receiving bids on my project(s)?
It is possible that your project does not fall within the desired work criteria of the bidders on the Shortlister community. Please check back soon as our community continues to grow every minute.
9. If I do not receive any bids during my initial bid deadline can I extend my bid deadline?
At any point you can change your project description or bid deadline. You do this through “MyShortlist” within the Account Manager. All Bidders that have added your project to their Account Manager will be notified of the extended bid deadline.
10. Does Shortlister interview or screen the Bidders on its network?
Shortlister does not interview or pre-screen Bidders and does not make any recommendations on specific Bidders. In addition, Shortlister does not represent or warrant as to the Bidders performance on any past or future project.
Currently, we are not designed to interface with a user rating system but we are currently establishing that functionality and hope to have that available shortly. Check back shortly for the enhanced capability of being able to rate Shortlister users.
Bidders are essentially construction professionals. Shortlister Bidders set up a free Shortlister account and then search our community for work opportunities (i.e., your project). Bidders can be large firms, small firms, individuals, handymen and craftsmen.
12. What happens to my project information after the bid deadline has passed?
All information that you post is removed from the Shortlister network after the bid deadline has passed. The only information that is retained is the final bid information and bid results you received from the solicitation process; this information will stay within your Account Manager for the duration of your account life with Shortlister. Please be aware that any files uploaded to the site are available to be downloaded and potentially saved on other users’ computers that review your project.
13. Can I have multiple accounts?
Shortlister identifies each account with a unique active email address. To the extent you have multiple email addresses and wish to create more than one account under separate emails, you are welcome to do so.
14. Is Shortlister only for professionals?
Shortlister is designed to be utilized by both professionals and non-professionals. As a Solicitor you are given the option to check whether you are a professional or homeowner. If you are a homeowner, a simplified “project type” selection menu is displayed which makes it easy for you to categorize your project correctly. Shortlister has been designed to be an easy-to-use, dynamic website which is highly intuitive and informational.
15. Will Bidders contact me directly?
Shortlister is intended to aggregate Bidders’ interest on Solicitors’ projects into a Shortlist without Solicitors having to interact with Bidders. However, if you allow your contact information to be shared during the bid process, Shortlister will not prevent Bidders from contacting you directly or submitting a bid directly to you. If you are contacted directly by a Bidder please Contact Us and make us aware of the inquiry.
16. Is there a way for me to contact Bidders who have not bid on my project?
You can search our Business Cards section of the website to find contact information for Bidders in your area that match your project criteria.
17. Can a Solicitor be a Bidder?
Yes, Solicitors can be Bidders and vice versa. In many circumstances, for example General Contractors, Solicitors have a project out for bid but may also be searching for additional work opportunities.
18. Can I add drawings or images with my project?
Yes, Shortlister allows you to upload files in .PDF or .DOC format in a simple “drag and drop” format. Please be aware that any files uploaded to the site are available to be downloaded and potentially saved on other users’ computers.
19. What is “Request for Information” (RFI)?
RFIs are requests for additional information that Bidders submit through their Account Manager. RFIs are only sent to the Solicitor of the project. Your Account Manager will notify you if any RFIs have been submitted and whether or not any RFIs are outstanding. You are not required to respond to RFIs but you are encouraged to do so in order to enhance the quality and number of bids you receive for your project. Your response to an RFI is automatically sent to all bidders looking at your project so all bidders have equal information in which you provided through the Shortlister website.
20. How do I post a project for bid?
You must first sign up for a FREE Shortlister account. If you have not signed up for a Shortlister account, please click here. After signing up, go to Solicit Bids and fill out the project information form. Once completed, submit your project and instantly begin receiving bids on your project.
Bidder FAQ
1. How do I become a Shortlister Bidder?
You must first sign up for your FREE Shortlister account. If you have not yet signed up for a Shortlister account, please click HERE. During the signup process you will select which type of professional you are and which types of construction-trades match your skill-set(s). After you successfully signup you have instant access to available job opportunities posted on Shortlister.
2. How much does Shortlister charge to open a Bidder account?
Shortlister is 100% free for all of its members.
3. Can I use one Shortlister account for all of the projects I am interested in bidding?
Yes, you can bid any number of Shortlister projects with your Shortlister account.
4. How do I identify available projects that match my interest and skill-sets?
Shortlister has a continually growing community of Solicitors that are posting additional work opportunities. When Solicitors submit a project they enter specific information about the project such as: zip code; construction category (commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, maintenance); project type; estimated value; bid deadline; and a description and/or drawings/blueprints/schematics. Utilizing this information, Shortlister’s database allows you to perform dynamic searches across multiple characteristics in order for you to review and bid on relevant projects. In addition, when you signup on Shortlister, you can signup to receive automatic emails informing you when new projects are posted that meet you search criteria.
5. How do I submit a bid for a project?
From the Project Description page (either accessed through a general search, emailed project alert or through your Account Manager you can click on “Submit Bid.” This will take you to the Bid Submission Form. This form will automatically pre-populate with certain information about the project and your contact information which you provided upon signup. This form will require you to fill out and provide job-specific information along with your bid. Your bid information is only shared with the individual posting the project and is not available to any other Shortlister members. Once all the information is properly entered you hit the “Submit Bid” button and your bid information is correctly added to the Solicitor’s Shortlist. Upon review, the Solicitor will contact you if your bid submission was of interest.
6. What happens to the bid price information that I submit?
Shortlister’s community feeds upon itself: as more projects are posted by Solicitors, more Bidders are attracted to the available work opportunities, more job-specific information is entered and shared, more consumers visit the site to become more knowledgeable about construction costs and in turn look to post work opportunities. This self-sustaining community is powerful and is experiencing viral growth as more members join everyday. The bid information you submit is only specifically shared with the Solicitor of the project. In addition, the bid price(s) you submit are aggregated (so individual bids with never be specifically disclosed) into Shortlister’s database where members can search for unit-cost information for a variety of construction-related projects/products.
7. How many available projects will I be able to bid on Shortlister?
The number of available projects for bid which match your criteria is dependent on the number of Solicitors that have posted projects that match your criteria.
8. How is the ultimate winning bidder determined for a Solicitor’s project?
Shortlister will not determine the winning bidder. The purpose of Shortlister is to efficiently pair solicitors and bidders of construction-related projects. In doing so, Shortlister will produce a “Shortlist” for Solicitors based on the number of bids received. The Shortlist allows you to gain access to the Solicitor and to become aware of available job opportunities that you may not have been aware of before becoming a Shortlister member.
9. Can Solicitors see my contact information when reviewing my bid submission?
Yes, your contact information and bid price will be shared with the Solicitor of the project. Before submitting your final bid submission you have the opportunity to review the information.
10. Does Shortlister interview, pre-screen or rate Bidders?
Shortlister does not interview or pre-screen Bidders and does not make any recommendations on specific Bidders. In addition, Shortlister does not represent or warrant as to the Bidders performance on any past or future project. Currently, we are not designed to interface with a user rating system but we are currently establishing that functionality and hope to have that available shortly. Check back shortly for the enhanced capability of being able to rate Shortlister users.
11. What is “Request for Information” (RFI)?
RFIs are requests for additional information that you can submit through your Account Manager. RFIs are only sent to the Solicitor of the project. Solicitors are not required to respond to RFIs. Responses to an RFI are automatically sent to all bidders looking at the respective project so all bidders have equal information in which the Solicitor provided through the Shortlister website. Your Account Manager will notify you if any RFIs have been responded to and whether or not any RFIs in which you submitted are outstanding.
12. Why am I not getting contacted after submitting a bid?
It is possible that your bid was not of interest to the Solicitor. However, you are encouraged to continue submitting bids in order to increase your chances of winning new work opportunities.
13. How do I know if my bid was submitted correctly?
Shortlister will automatically send you an email notifying you that your bid was submitted and received by the Solicitor who posted the project.
Solicitors are firms or individuals that have construction projects in which they need professionals such as you to perform the work and are seeking to hire the best candidate. Shortlister Solicitors setup a free Shortlister account and then post their project in hopes for professionals such as yourself discovers it and bids on it.
15. What happens to my bid submission information after the bid deadline has passed?
Your contact information and bid price for successfully submitted bids remain within the Solicitor’s Account Manager. In addition, your bid price information is aggregated into Shortlister’s database where members can search for unit-cost information for a variety of construction-related projects/products. Your individual bid information is not shared with any Shortlister member outside of the Solicitor that posted the project in which you submitted a bid.
16. Is the bidding functionality on Shortlister only for professionals?
As a Bidder you should be a professional capable of performing a construction trade. You should not submit a bid on a project in which you are not capable of performing the duties as requested. The Shortlister search functionality is designed for Bidders to review the generally accepted construction divisions and the respected professional level of workmanship required to complete the project as designated by the trade category.
17. Will Solicitors contact me directly?
Solicitors will contact you directly via the contact information you provide on the bid submission form. Solicitors will only contact you at their discretion and are not obligated to contact you even if you submitted a bid for their project.
18. Is there a way for me to contact Solicitors who have not responded to my bid submission or during the bidding process?
As a Bidder you should respect the privacy of the Solicitor and conduct all communication through the Shortlister site. You should not contact the Solicitor directly unless you have been requested to do so by the Solicitor.
19. Can a Bidder be a Solicitor?
Yes, Bidders can be Solicitors and vice versa. In many circumstances, for example General Contractors, Solicitors have a project out for bid but may also be searching for work opportunities.
20. Can I review drawings or images in conjunction to evaluating a posted project?
Yes, Shortlister allows Solicitors to upload files in .PDF or .DOC in order to provide Bidders more information; however, drawings or images are not required in order to submit a project on Shortlister. Within each Project Description page there are links to the jobs respective description or accompanying files if available.