Hey guys, I am new to Breaktime, love the info (and the arguments=)) and the different ideas. I am a contractor in s.e. nebraska and was wanting some of your thoughts about relationships with other contractors. I G.C. some jobs and on others do sub contracting. The two ways I was thinking of were as a General Contractor to a sub -How do you get the best pricing w/out p*****g the guy off, or ripping him off, I want to pay for good work but don’t want to let costs spiral out of control… seems there should be a balance there etc. Also as a sub to a G.C.- How to network with a G.C., what is the best way to introduce your self and have a shot at getting his work, how do you bid stuff and communicate value and bang for the buck…etc Thanks for your thoughts
Edited 6/5/2006 10:40 pm ET by woody1777
Replies
relationships and your last line is it for mne
I've mostly lived in small towns where we all know each other and work together in civic organizations, bowlingleagues, fire depoartments etc. We are neighbors.
We know who is good guys and who to stay clear of.
So it comes natural to sometimes be the top dog on a job and other times be hiring the other guy as a sub.
it's about communicatiing and building relationmships with the kind of tradesmen you can trust and who have similar values as yourself. They rest can sort itself out.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Not to hijack Piffin but I dont picture you as a bowler!
Doug
PS, carry on with the subject at hand
There was a time...but you are right. 140 was a good game for me
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I have a buddy, and we help each outher occassionally. Sometimes the sub works for the gc on a hourly rate, that we set in advance. Sometimes we bid the job. Depends on the scope. If the gc needs an extra hand for a day or two, then it's usually hourly. If the gc wants to turn over some portion of the work , like hanging all the doors, then it's usually a fixed price. And we never question the other guys price.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I work as a sub for a couple of contractors, as well as do my own work.
Like Piffin says, get to know the other guy before you make any real commitment.
A couple of the guys I work with have reciprocal agreements with me; I help them when they need me, they help me when I need them.
For me, the money is the least thing I worry about ( which may explain certain things, but I'm not getting into that).
A person's character, his skills, and ability to work without supervision are more important to me.
You have just described my work and career in a few sentences. That was perfect. Thanks.
Pretty much describes my business and relationship with a few other small contractor friends of mine.
We all run our own jobs but there are times when a good extra hand is needed and you dont have the time for alot of supervision. We hire eachother hourly we dont question the price, although we dont charge eachother the full blown rate of a GC.
We make sure if where getting alot of phone calls and such for our own business that we dock our time.
Usually its not more than a couple of days 1 maybe twice a month that we need eachother.
But it sure is a bummer when they/ I am not available to help out.
As others have said, don't worry about price. If you find someone whom you trust and who does good work, you (and your customer) will be glad to pay the price. In the long run, it won't be any higher.
You won't be able to find subs in every phase that are great but having good people working together is infectious . Any new sub is going to see what is going on at your site and raise their standards. Pretty soon they will be raising your standards, not only in the quality of your work but in the way you treat others, with trust and mutual respect.