4 answers
Aidan
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
3
Questions
Asked
1529 views
I want to be a government contractor. How?
what do I have to do to get construction contracts? I want to buy contracts from the board of disabilities in my state and build things like ramps and remodel bathrooms for the disabled. How would I acquire these contracts?
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4 answers
Louis Rael
Project Manager
3
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Louis’s Answer
To become a licensed contractor, it's necessary to first register your business with your state or local government. You have several options for this, including registering as a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Sub Chapter S, or Corporation. After that, you'll need to register your company in the state where you plan to conduct business.
There are companies available that can assist you in compiling the necessary paperwork for these steps. Once your company is established and registered, you'll then need to register with your state and/or local government to qualify as a contractor eligible to bid on projects.
Remember to secure liability insurance, as this is a requirement and your bid can be disqualified during the bidding process without it. Once these steps are completed, you're ready to start bidding on projects.
It could be beneficial to consider taking classes on estimating and project management to further enhance your skills. Additionally, hiring a reliable tax accountant to handle your taxes is a good idea.
There are companies available that can assist you in compiling the necessary paperwork for these steps. Once your company is established and registered, you'll then need to register with your state and/or local government to qualify as a contractor eligible to bid on projects.
Remember to secure liability insurance, as this is a requirement and your bid can be disqualified during the bidding process without it. Once these steps are completed, you're ready to start bidding on projects.
It could be beneficial to consider taking classes on estimating and project management to further enhance your skills. Additionally, hiring a reliable tax accountant to handle your taxes is a good idea.
Tatiana Kotrikova
Director of planning maintenance and construction work
6
Answers
Centreville, Virginia
Updated
Tatiana’s Answer
Study ADA act. You would need a company, insurance and you need to learn which industry you want to be. If transportation, got to FRA website, they have a lot of information there. Same as FTA as well as local DoT. Depends which state you are in. Then search for transportation companies and learn their procurement strategy on their website. Like Amtrak, WMATA, NJ Transit etc. all of that info is easily google searchable. Their websites will tell you a lot how to bid for their jobs and what you need to have to be eligible. Good recommendations above on learning estimating and I would strongly recommend learning contract law and how to execute contracts as well as learning the project cycles and what it takes to build a project.or you can become a subcontractor to a big prime contractors like Kiewit, Clark Construction, Bechtel etc. many options how you could do it. One big advantage you can gain is to become a DBE. Gov contracts mandate for general contracts to have certain percentage of DBE participation and certain to be performed by subcontractors at different tier levels. So GC will get the job and they are forced to hire DBEs and subs due to gov mandates and numbers. And I will tell you, typically they struggle to find good DBEs and subs. So the market is wide open but you need to be smart to ensure these big companies doesn’t take advantage of you as they do put companies out of business if you are not smart. Good luck
Dawn Patillo
Risk Management
7
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Dawn’s Answer
You're in a great position to start learning now. Remember, you usually need to be 18 to sign government contracts because they're legal agreements. So, your path is to learn and gain experience now, then set up your business and bid later.
Here's what you can do now as a high school student in Rock Hill:
- Get construction experience: Find a summer job or part-time work with a licensed remodeler, handyman company, or a contractor specializing in accessible homes.
- Learn safety and basics: See if you can take the OSHA-10 course, as many contractors value it.
- Build proof of your skills: Take photos of your work, with permission, keep a simple portfolio, and gather references.
- Volunteer: Join Habitat for Humanity or local repair programs to gain experience and make connections.
Understand who offers "disability ramp/bathroom" work in South Carolina:
- Your city or county (Rock Hill/York County procurement)
- Local Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN) Board
- Housing programs through county, city, or community initiatives
- State agencies like the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)
- Sometimes work is done through approved contractor lists instead of open bidding.
What you'll need to win contracts (usually after 18):
- A real business (often an LLC), EIN, and a business bank account
- The right SC contractor license for the job type and size
- Insurance (general liability; possibly workers’ comp later)
- Sometimes bonding (a guarantee you'll finish the job)
- Basic knowledge of ADA/accessibility and local building codes/permits
How to get government work (simple version):
- Register as a vendor where jobs are posted (State of SC procurement system, plus Rock Hill/York County vendor portals).
- Look for postings like "home modification," "ADA ramp," or "bathroom accessibility remodel."
- Bid by submitting your price and paperwork exactly as requested.
- Start small, do excellent work, and build a solid track record.
Fastest way to get started:
- Work under a licensed contractor now, then later either start your own company or continue as a subcontractor doing ramps and bathrooms for companies that already win government bids.
Here's what you can do now as a high school student in Rock Hill:
- Get construction experience: Find a summer job or part-time work with a licensed remodeler, handyman company, or a contractor specializing in accessible homes.
- Learn safety and basics: See if you can take the OSHA-10 course, as many contractors value it.
- Build proof of your skills: Take photos of your work, with permission, keep a simple portfolio, and gather references.
- Volunteer: Join Habitat for Humanity or local repair programs to gain experience and make connections.
Understand who offers "disability ramp/bathroom" work in South Carolina:
- Your city or county (Rock Hill/York County procurement)
- Local Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN) Board
- Housing programs through county, city, or community initiatives
- State agencies like the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)
- Sometimes work is done through approved contractor lists instead of open bidding.
What you'll need to win contracts (usually after 18):
- A real business (often an LLC), EIN, and a business bank account
- The right SC contractor license for the job type and size
- Insurance (general liability; possibly workers’ comp later)
- Sometimes bonding (a guarantee you'll finish the job)
- Basic knowledge of ADA/accessibility and local building codes/permits
How to get government work (simple version):
- Register as a vendor where jobs are posted (State of SC procurement system, plus Rock Hill/York County vendor portals).
- Look for postings like "home modification," "ADA ramp," or "bathroom accessibility remodel."
- Bid by submitting your price and paperwork exactly as requested.
- Start small, do excellent work, and build a solid track record.
Fastest way to get started:
- Work under a licensed contractor now, then later either start your own company or continue as a subcontractor doing ramps and bathrooms for companies that already win government bids.
Robert Kohn
remodeling general contractor
48
Answers
Methuen, Massachusetts
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Aiden,
Louis's answer is correct.
I'm in Massachusetts and years ago I bid for contracts for the same disability issues. I won and lost jobs for less than a dollar. They go strictly on cost and you have to be dead on your estimate or you will loss money on either time or materials or both. Usually architects will do pro bono work for the state and you have to follow their prints. Occasionally, I would have to call them and adjust the plan because of dimensions etc. but never had a problem.
I would suggest that you get ahold of someone in either the building and standards department for the state and ask or they can direct you to the correct department. You can also call the ADA Commission or your local government representative to get in the right direction.
Good luck and enjoy helping people as I do.
Sincerely,
Bob Kohn
Louis's answer is correct.
I'm in Massachusetts and years ago I bid for contracts for the same disability issues. I won and lost jobs for less than a dollar. They go strictly on cost and you have to be dead on your estimate or you will loss money on either time or materials or both. Usually architects will do pro bono work for the state and you have to follow their prints. Occasionally, I would have to call them and adjust the plan because of dimensions etc. but never had a problem.
I would suggest that you get ahold of someone in either the building and standards department for the state and ask or they can direct you to the correct department. You can also call the ADA Commission or your local government representative to get in the right direction.
Good luck and enjoy helping people as I do.
Sincerely,
Bob Kohn