Selecting Subcontractors for your Construction Project

"Poor subcontractors will negatively impact construction projects."

A poor subcontractor can harm your construction project, affecting the construction schedule, project safety, client relations, quality, and often costing the main or general contractor additional money. It's therefore essential that contractors and clients go through a rigorous process when selecting a subcontractor.
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What to consider when selecting subcontractors

​Some items to consider when selecting subcontractors include:

• The subcontractor's experience and knowledge. It's one thing to have done similar construction work, but have they done it in that environment, for example; a building project in an oil & gas facility is very different to one in the city.
• Do they have the resources (staff, tradespeople and equipment) and are they available for your construction project.
• Their safety record.
• The subcontractor's cash flow. Negative cash flow – the death for many construction companies
• The reputation for quality construction work.
• Is their price right? It should be within budget, but at the same time not too low that the subcontractor will loose money which could result in them cutting corners on the construction project, understaffing it, lodging spurious claims, and in the worst case possibly even going insolvent. Are your subcontractors profitable? Should you care?
• The subcontractor's reputation for submitting claims and variations.
• The products and subcontractors they will use.
• Any exclusions or clauses in their tender or quotation which may be unacceptable.
• Their proposed construction schedule and methodology.
• The experience and knowledge of the team they propose to put on the construction project.
• Their current work commitments and any other work that they may be awarded.

Subcontractors are your partners

Never select subcontractors on price alone. Regrettably the cheapest subcontractor often works out to be a very expensive choice when the subcontractor does not perform. Do careful due diligence to ensure that your subcontractors have the experience, knowledge, and resources to do the construction work in their contract. 

Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
Visit to read more.
The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
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