Choosing a subcontractor can be quite difficult at times, especially if it’s your first time dealing with their specific line of work. According to Ron Nugent Mississauga contractor, there are a plethora of different things you’ll need to consider. All of it can get quite confusing if you’re approaching it with the wrong mindset.
In this article, we’ll analyze some of the most common mistakes businesses make when choosing their subcontractors to help you avoid doing the same. So, without any further ado, let’s get right to the bottom of it!
1. You’re not asking the right questions
Don’t be hesitant to ask as many questions as needed to determine whether a subcontractor is worth your time or money. Many contractors forget to check whether their chosen subcontractor has any relevant experience at similar projects, which is among the most important questions you can ask.
Even if they’ve been in the industry for quite some time now, it will all amount to nothing if they’ve never worked at a project at least resembling yours. So, instead of only asking them to provide you with a bid, ask about their past experiences and how they align with your current needs.
If you’re not given a satisfactory answer, keep on looking until you’ve found what works best for you. All in all, be prepared to ask a lot of questions before hiring your first subcontractors. Their responses will tell you everything you need to know about their trustworthiness and skill levels.
2. You’re not doing some background checking
Now, just because a subcontractor seems reliable at first glance, it doesn’t mean they’re truly worth your time and energy. If they can’t provide you with relevant referrals and testimonials, perhaps they’re not the best choice. Make sure you’ve read every review you come across online, and ask your industry colleagues for some tips if possible.
Additionally, if you can find any of their previous customers online, do not hesitate to ask them for some more information. A good subcontractor can make the difference between success and failure when it comes to construction projects, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Lastly, don’t refuse to work with small businesses just because they don’t have many referrals. As long as their existing clients are satisfied, and the company has enough experience in similar projects, you’re good to go!
3. You’re choosing based on price
We’re not saying budgeting isn’t important, because it is, but it shouldn’t be the determining factor in choosing a subcontractor either. Again, as we’ve mentioned earlier, their experience and reputation matter much more. We suggest you determine a reasonable budget beforehand, so you don’t have to stress over it later.
Once you’ve got a couple of bids, compare them until you find a subcontractor who’s offering the best balance of quality and price. Make comprehensive lists and weigh out the pros and cons of each. All of that is extremely easy to do and it simplifies the entire process in a major way.
Overall, choosing solely based on price is never a good idea. Yes, you might be saving some money, but if you end up choosing “the wrong” subcontractor, your entire project could very well be in jeopardy.
4. You’re not looking at the right places
If you’ve limited your search to Google, you might be missing out on some great opportunities! Just because a subcontractor doesn’t have a strong presence online, doesn’t mean they’re not worth your attention. We suggest you join some groups and talk to your industry colleagues to update your subcontractor list even further.
Besides that, you can always use third-party software like https://www.sure-bid.com/ to find your subcontractors. This type of software is incredibly convenient, as it lists only trustworthy, reliable, and hard-working bidders that can help you reach your goals quickly and seamlessly.
We recommend you check these out while you’re at it, especially if you’re not very knowledgeable about the industry in question. Overall, as long as you know where to look, you’ll quickly find a suitable subcontractor for all of your projects. Don’t hesitate to extend your search to sources other than Google.
5. You’re not asking to see their license
There are many skilled, experienced, and reliable subcontractors out there: there’s no way in denying that. However, there are also scammers looking to take your money for a poorly done job. Even though they’re few in number, you’d want to avoid them at all costs.
One of the ways you can do this is by checking their licenses and insurance before deciding to hire them. If a company can’t provide you with the necessary licensing, then they’re not fit to do the job.
Many construction projects require specific skillsets and knowledge that cannot be “self-taught”: you’ll need to see a proper license instead. All things considered, asking to see someone’s licensing is nothing unusual and it can save you from a lot of trouble later on. Therefore, you should always remember to do it.
6. You’re not assessing their work even after you’ve hired them
Making frequent assessments of the work subcontractors do is of the utmost importance. If you run into some issues with the company you’ve chosen, you might need to make some new hires. If you haven’t made proper assessments, you’ll probably have no grounds to fire the current subcontractors. All of that can put your entire project at risk, so do everything you can to avoid this type of scenario.
The bottom line
Choosing the right subcontractor can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the entire industry. Here we talked about the most common mistakes frequently made by newbie clients and contractors in order to help you avoid doing the same.
These include underestimating the importance of experience, not asking to see their license, and choosing based solely on price. All in all, we hope our article helped you understand and avoid these common mistakes people make when looking to hire a subcontractor, and we wish you good luck in all of your future endeavors.
