In short
- What it is: a free, printable 4-page PDF seawall bid comparison worksheet for Cape Coral waterfront owners.
- Pages 1-2: a grid for three bids: license, insurance, scope, material, linear feet, cap, tiebacks, permit, dock work, debris, start date, warranty, price and price per foot.
- Pages 2-3: ten questions to ask, a red-flag checklist and payment protections.
- Cost: free to download and print, for personal use.
This free seawall bid comparison worksheet lets you put three written bids side by side, so you compare the same scope instead of just the totals. Print it, fill in one column per contractor, and divide each total by the linear feet to get a price per foot.
Download the worksheet (PDF, 4 pages)
What is on the worksheet
| Page | What you fill in or tick |
|---|---|
| 1-2: Bid grid | Company, DBPR license check, insurance, repair or replace, material, linear feet, cap, tiebacks, permit, dock and lift work, debris haul, restoration, start date, warranty, total price, price per foot |
| 2: Questions | Ten questions to ask every contractor |
| 3: Red flags and payments | Ten red flags, a payment-protection checklist and a decision box |
| 4: Notes | Lined page for visit dates, measurements and promises to get in writing |
Compare scope before price. A low bid may leave out the cap, tiebacks, permits or dock work. Our replacement cost guide uses a planning range of roughly $400 to $900 per linear foot (an estimate, not a quote), so you can spot a bid that is far outside it and ask why.
How to use it with three bids
- Measure your wall first
Write your linear feet at the top so every contractor prices the same length, or ask each to put their measurement on the quote.
- Verify license and insurance yourself
Look up each license on the state DBPR site and ask for an insurance certificate sent by the agent. Tick the boxes only when you have done it.
- Get itemized, written bids
Fill one column per bid. Blank cells show what a contractor has not told you yet.
- Divide total by linear feet
Write the price per foot and note whether it is inside or outside the planning range.
What the worksheet asks about, and why
| Line on the grid | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Repair or replace; old wall removed or built in front | Different costs and permit implications; see repair versus replacement |
| Material | Concrete panels, vinyl, aluminum or riprap; see seawall materials |
| Cap and tiebacks | The cap's size and reinforcement and the number, type and spacing of anchors drive cost and strength |
| Permit pulled by whom | The contractor should be named on it; see seawall permits |
| Dock, lift, debris, yard restoration | Often outside the wall price, so ask whether each is included |
| Warranty and change orders | Get the warranty in writing, including what it excludes, and how worse-than-expected conditions are priced |
Planning aid only. The worksheet is not engineering or legal advice. Confirm permit requirements with the City of Cape Coral or Lee County, and get quotes from licensed local contractors. We are a referral service, not a contractor, and do not endorse any contractor.
For the full checklist behind the grid, read how to choose a seawall contractor.
Download the free worksheet (PDF)
Need bids to compare?
Use the form below and tell us about your wall. Independent local contractors may reach out with their own quotes, and you can drop them straight into the worksheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is in the seawall bid comparison worksheet?
It is a 4-page printable PDF. It has a side-by-side grid for three bids, ten questions to ask every contractor, a red-flag checklist, a payment-protection checklist, a decision box and a notes page.
Is the worksheet really free?
Yes. Download the PDF directly from this page and print it for personal use. It is a planning aid, not engineering or legal advice.
Why does the worksheet use $400 to $900 per linear foot?
That is the planning range used in our seawall replacement cost guide for a full replacement. It is an estimate, not a quote. Use it to spot bids that look far too low or too high, then ask what is included or missing.
Can I compare a repair bid with a replacement bid?
Yes. The grid has a line for repair or replace, so you can see what each contractor is proposing. Our repair versus replacement guide explains the signs that point each way.
Do you recommend a contractor from the bids?
No. We are a referral service and do not endorse any contractor. You verify licenses and insurance yourself, and the worksheet has boxes to record that.