Building good relationships with your subcontractors
Every construction manager and jobsite foreman knows that a subcontractor’s work performance can make or break a job. I have 25 years’ experience managing residential and light commercial construction projects and am currently managing several large facilities. It’s my professional recommendation that whether you are a one-man show or are in charge of million-dollar projects, a robust subcontractor recognition and admonishment program within your company is vitally important. Here are some simple steps to make it happen.
For starters, get it in writing. It’s good to have an agreement prior to work commencement that you and your subcontractor have signed. Generic forms can be purchased online. In addition to the obvious insurance, legal, work standards, and safety requirements, make sure your agreement includes the following:
- Be clear that all changes that affect the schedule will be communicated to the general contractor or manager ASAP.
- Explain expectations of how the subcontractor is to clean up during and after they work in an area. Example: broom clean or vacuum clean and where to put the waste.
- Communicate the acceptable working hours and days.
- Spell out any vehicle parking and material delivery rules.
- Explain how recyclable items like copper and aluminum will be managed.
- Create a plan that describes how left-over materials will be managed. Some subcontractors will order items in bulk and leave piles of materials that clutter up the site and will eventually get damaged or stolen.
- Address drugs, Alcohol, and tobacco rules: Think about it, do you want your customers picking up cigarette butts, tobacco spit containers, or finding alcohol containers in the dumpster?
- Music: Many subs listen to music or programming as they work and sometimes it can get obnoxiously loud, or the content might be inappropriate.
- Dress code: guys don’t go shirtless on a professionally run jobsite, and instruct the crews to leave their offensive tee shirts at home.
- Include pre-determined language on how you and the subcontractor will resolve any issues that result in failure to comply with the agreement.
If you see it, say it. Be consistent with your warnings and admonishments, and address any small issues immediately before they scale out of control. Consistency is the key.
Show your appreciation
Everyone likes a pat on the back now and again. There are various ways you can show appreciation to your subs:
- Get to know them. Nobody likes to be called, “Hey you.”
- Bring in doughnuts and coffee or buy lunch on occasion.
- Compliment a job well done
- Pass along compliments from the client.
- Your compliments should always outnumber your admonishments.
Chris Lange
While in school, Chris started working at a local lumberyard fulfilling orders and creating estimates for construction projects. After two years of technical college, Chris accepted a job as a carpenter with a high-end remodeler, and after a few years there became one of their lead carpenters.
From there he spent a year in the carpenters union working commercial construction but decided that he liked the interaction in residential remodeling better so returned and stayed for 15 years. During that period he became a supervisor, then a project manager, and eventually a partner and license holder for the business he was working for.
For the last five years Chris has worked in industrial and commercial maintenance as a director and a boiler operator .
