A scope of work is the definition of what a project must include — the list of tasks, materials, and standards the finished job has to meet. It can come from a carrier's estimate, an engineer's report, drawings, or one you write yourself.
Why it's the most important document you have
Without a scope, three bids are three different jobs priced three different ways — you can't compare them fairly. With a scope, every bid answers the same question, and the gaps (work a bid leaves out) become obvious.
Use it as your yardstick
Measure each bid against the scope, not against each other — that's the only way to catch work that every bid omitted. BidsScores lets you upload your scope of work and reviews every bid against it in plain English.