Many homeowners don’t know if they should work with companies that use subcontractors. That is a reasonable concern, in certain circumstances. But when it comes to building or remodeling a home, subcontracting can often be a value-adding benefit. That’s why many General Contractors use subcontractors when they build or remodel their own homes for their own families. Once you understand the pros and cons of subcontracting from a professional perspective, it will be easier for you to make your own informed decisions as a consumer.
WHEN SUBCONTRACTING CONTRIBUTES SPECIAL EXPERTISE
The reason a resourceful General Contractor will partner with qualified subcontractors is because those subcontractors have specialized expertise you won’t find elsewhere. It’s the same reason why a celebrated Michelin Star restaurant chef will hire a pastry chef instead of doing all the menu cooking himself. Yes, many General Contractors who have their own in-house, on-staff electricians and plumbers. But you should expect your General Contractor to find the best person available…even if that means reaching out to subcontract that talent. Otherwise you may wind up with less expertise than you paid for, just so that your General Contractor can keep more profits within his own company.
WHAT TO DEMAND FROM YOUR GENERAL CONTRACTOR
The takeaway here is that you should only work with General Contractors who are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the best finished products. If that requires that they contract with a specialist, that’s a good thing…and it may be more cost effective for you in the long run. For one thing, your General Contractor can negotiate more favorable pricing from subcontractors than you can…and pass that savings to you. They also have the professional know-how to determine the level of expertise of the subcontractors they enlist.
HOW THE SUBCONTRACTOR RELATIONSHIP WORKS
If your General Contractor delegates important parts of your project to unqualified “subs” who are not properly trained, question that decision. If a subcontractor attempts to set up some other way of working that cuts out the General Contractor, that is not normal protocol and you should sit down with all parties involved and disclose that activity. Subcontractors who work with your General Contractor will be under the supervision of that General Contractor, and any payments for materials or labor should be arranged and managed by your General Contractor. In other words, your primary project point of contact will remain the General Contractor you hired, and it is up to them to ensure that subcontractors do high-quality work. The General Contractor remains accountable for the inspection process, consultations with architects, and other phases of the build or remodel.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW MORE…
As in all matters of home building and remodeling projects, it is your choice of your General Contractor that is of ultimate importance. Markley Construction has a great reputation for excellence and professionalism and outstanding references throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. We have happy clients throughout in Sarasota, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, Casey Key, and west central Florida. Call or email us today to learn more.
