# Requirements Before Bidding

## Summary
Additional requirements are conditions set on a bid package that help subcontractors understand what the general contractor expects before submitting a bid. They clarify expectations early so both sides can avoid wasted time and misaligned bids.

## Why It Matters

**What problem does this solve?**  
Contractors often receive bids that don’t meet basic criteria (insurance, licensing, breakdowns, etc.), which creates delays and unnecessary back-and-forth.

**Why this matters for subcontractors**  
Requirements help subcontractors quickly understand if a job is a good fit before investing time preparing a quote.

## How It Works

### What Are Additional Requirements?
Additional requirements are custom conditions added to a bid package by the contractor.  
They don’t block you from bidding, but they help contractors assess fit and readiness.

Common examples include:
- WCB approval  
- Certificate of Insurance  
- Full quote breakdown  
- Trade-specific certifications or compliance requirements  

### Where Subcontractors See Requirements
You may see requirements in several locations:

- Inside the **Job Details** panel  
- Within the **Bid Package** details  
- In the **Bid Conversation**  
- When requesting to bid through the **Job Connector**

### Confirming Requirements (Job Connector Flow)

If you find a job through Job Connector and click **Request to Bid**, you may be asked to confirm which requirements you meet.

Important notes:
- You are **not required** to meet every requirement to request to bid.
- You can leave any requirement **unmarked** if you’re unsure.
- Contractors still decide who they hire — even if not all requirements are met.

For **directly invited subcontractors**, this confirmation step may not appear.  
However, the requirements are still visible and relevant throughout the bidding process.

### After You’re Accepted

Once you’re accepted to bid or awarded the project:

- The contractor may request proof of certain requirements.
- Any documents (insurance, WCB, certifications, etc.) are exchanged directly inside the **bid conversation chat**.

There is no separate document upload system for these requirements.

## When This Applies

This applies when:
- You are viewing jobs using the Job Connector  
- You’re responding to a direct invite  
- You’re evaluating whether to submit a bid  
- You’re reviewing requirements on an awarded job  

## Related Articles

- [How to Bid on a Job](https://docs.builderpal.com/books/bidding-as-a-subcontractor/page/bid-on-a-job)
- [Creating Bid Packages](https://docs.builderpal.com/books/hire-trades-manage-bids/page/create-a-bid-package-basics)
- [Managing Submitted Bids](https://docs.builderpal.com/books/bidding-as-a-subcontractor/page/managing-submitted-bids)