Dodge Construction Network (commonly known as Dodge) is one of the most powerful platforms for contractors, estimators, suppliers, and project planners in the U.S. It provides early project leads, detailed plans, market insights, and decision-maker contacts — making it a major advantage for companies looking to grow their project pipeline.
This guide explains how to use Dodge effectively, from discovering opportunities to organizing data and preparing winning bids.
What Is Dodge Construction Network Used For?
Dodge gives users access to:
- Early construction project leads (before public bidding)
- Blueprints, specs, and project files
- Contact details of owners, GCs, architects, and engineers
- Market forecasting and analytics
- Project workflow tracking
- Competitor and bidding activity insights
- Custom lead alerts tailored to your trade and location
It’s popular among general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, and construction estimators across all major trades.
Step 1 — Build a Strong Company Profile
Start by optimizing your profile so contractors and suppliers can easily understand your services.
Include:
- Company name, address, and contact info
- Trades or services offered
- Work coverage areas
- Certifications and licenses (if applicable)
- Website or portfolio (optional but recommended)
A complete profile increases visibility and credibility when companies research bidders.
Step 2 — Customize Your Lead Preferences
To avoid irrelevant projects, set filters based on:
- Location (city, state, or service radius)
- Project stage (planning, bidding, final design, etc.)
- Project type (commercial, government, multi-family, healthcare, infrastructure, etc.)
- Trade specialty
- Project size or estimated value
The better segmented your preferences, the better your project matches.
Step 3 — Search & Analyze Construction Projects
To find opportunities:
- Go to Project Search
- Apply your selected filters
- Open a project profile to view:
- Project scope & description
- Estimated budget
- Bid deadlines
- Project timeline
- Stakeholders (owner, GC, architect, engineer)
- Available documents (plans, specs, addenda)
This helps you decide if the project is worth bidding.
Step 4 — Access and Download Plans & Documents
Inside each project file, you can access:
- Drawings and blueprints
- Specification documents
- Attachments and revisions
- Addenda updates
- Bid submission instructions
Always make sure you download the latest version before estimating — older drawings can result in costly errors.
Step 5 — Use Key Contact Info to Your Advantage
One of Wade’s biggest advantages is direct access to decision-makers such as:
- Project owners
- General contractors
- Architects
- Engineers
- Developers
You can use this to:
- Introduce your company early
- Request bid invitations
- Ask project questions before estimating
- Build relationships before competitors reach out
Being early puts you ahead.
Step 6 — Track Projects to Stay Updated
Dodge lets you monitor projects as they progress. You’ll get alerts if:
- A bid date changes
- New addenda is added
- Project moves into the next cycle (planning → bidding → awarded)
- Contacts or details update
Tracking prevents surprises and missed opportunities.
Step 7 — Integrate Dodge Data Into Your Estimating Workflow
Dodge does not create estimates — it provides everything you need to build them.
A common estimator workflow is:
- Find the project in Dodge
- Download all plans and specs
- Review scope and bid requirements
- Perform quantity takeoffs using your preferred method
- Calculate labor, materials, equipment, overhead, and profit
- Build your bid proposal
- Submit through required channels (email, portal, document upload)
Step 8 — Export & Organize Project Data
Dodge allows you to export project details so you can:
- Share files with estimators or project teams
- Send plans to suppliers for pricing
- Organize bids in internal folders or spreadsheets
- Build historical price references for future estimates
This helps maintain structure as you bid more projects.
Step 9 — Use Market Analytics to Bid Smarter
Dodge provides industry trends and analytics that help you understand:
- Market volume in your region
- Growth forecasts
- Which sectors are booming
- How competitive a category is
- Seasonal project cycles
This helps you decide what to bid, when to bid, and where to bid.
Tips to Win More Bids Using Dodge
- Target projects early in the planning stage
- Reach out directly to stakeholders before bidding opens
- Organize drawings to avoid missing scope
- Save past project data to reuse pricing benchmarks
- Respond quickly to bid invites and RFIs
- Verify every addendum before submitting pricing
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Dodge
❌ Bidding without checking for addenda
❌ Using outdated drawings
❌ Ignoring stakeholder contact opportunities
❌ Not tracking projects after viewing them
❌ Submitting bids without clear scope inclusions/exclusions
Final Thoughts
Dodge Construction Network is not just a lead generator — it’s a competitive advantage for contractors who want earlier access, better project intelligence, and stronger industry connections.
When used strategically, Dodge helps you:
- Find more relevant projects
- Estimate with better accuracy
- Build industry relationships
- Win more contracts over time