Another Tip For Newbies (who Do Sub Work)...

dirt diggler

2 tips actually

some guys on here just starting up have asked "what are GCs looking for" or "how can I get in with GCs"

here's TWO gems for you


1) Do not talk with HO ---

I am your client ... not the HO ... if the sky turns red - you tell me - not the HO ... if they do say something to you --- say "oh you'll have to talk with Dirt about that"

2) When you tell me a price - you STICK to that price

i don't give a flying f what materials went up in price. that's your problem



you're welcome

Dave Mac

glad i dont do sub work!!!!!!!!!!

but when i did, i can think of two tips for gc.

1. dont make your poor planning, the subs emergency!!!!

2. Dont make the sub chase you down, when you suppose to pay them.

personally i have worked for over 25 gc and only encountered two that were honest, my advice to all subs is work directly for the ho!!!


your welcome

Ted W

...And when a GC makes a point of saying "I always pay my subs first..."

Don't Believe It!

On the same note, when GC makes excuses (HO hasn't paid yet, had to buy materials, dog ate the reciepts...) Not Your Problem! Tell him you'll have to take the matter to the home owner. You did your job, you need paid ON TIME!

Just some wisdom from my beginning years. Of course, make damn sure you do your job too. There's no room for slackers at any level.



Oh, and about buddying up with the home owner, diggler is right on. Try it and you're fired.

__________________
Carpentry and Woodworking - Chicago / North Shore - Ted's Carpentry

"I don't know everything but at least I think I do, and that's what really matters."

laybrick

the reason GCs don't want subs talking to HOs is because they use subs for scapegoats. Whenever something goes wrong, he can tell the HO one of the subs is at fault. Plus ,after the GC jewed you down, then added little things as you went, (and expected you not to charge for) he can't have it slip out ,how much they're lineing thier pockets off of the subs. I have limitted myself to two GCs that I've worked for for years. They're not as bad of scammers as the rest of the ones I've done work for. Directly through the HO is the way to go

AtlanticWBConst

Good points that we apply. We do our own GC-ing but never so 'no' to subbing a job under another GC...and we regularly apply both of your suggestions.

I once installed a huge skylight in a kitchen for a sub job (GC was a friend) HO asked me about 3 times thru the course of the job about getting a price on a garage/family room addition...

...I Repeatedly told him...Your ***'s customer. I can't do that.

HO: "But then I'll have to pay more to get you guys to do it, and I like your work"...

No, we and '***' trade-off work, our prices are the same.... (this was the truth)...

Even some Home owners are looking for a break...and do sneaky things ...

I hate that crap...

__________________
- Build Well -

laybrick

I do agree that no one should undermine anyone, but the scammer (GC) shouldn,t jack the price so much, that the sub looks like the rapeist & is chargeing that much

Ted W

Not to justify GCs that scam, but...

A - The GC submits a proposal and the HO accepts it. Where's the scam in that? It's business and the HO could just as easily hire someone else. That's why they generally get 3 bids.

B - What the CG charges is none of the sub's business. The sub submitted a proposal and the GC accepted it. No scam here either.

C - GC doesn't want subs making buddies with HO because the sub is probably trying to steal business, undermine, might say something stupid...

It's business. One should not try to dip in to another's customer base. If they want to GC, they should do their own advertising and get their own customers.

Scammers are BS, but that has nothing to do with subs buddying up with the GCs customers.

__________________
Carpentry and Woodworking - Chicago / North Shore - Ted's Carpentry

"I don't know everything but at least I think I do, and that's what really matters."

dirt diggler

you have not a clue ...

hrscammisa

stick to your job and remember the H.O is not your friend he might use you to piss off the G.C O SH--- thats right the G.C is not your friend eather now what just make sure you get your money I guess

laybrick

deal with it all the time, don't need clues. Had a bad day with a sub, so come on & start bashing people, expect it in return

laybrick

I just had a bad month with a typical GC, and typically, Im still waiting to get paid. Gonna be talkin to the HO soon , whether he likes it or not

dougchips

Good post! I have nothing to add.

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Mike Finley

Intersting comments. All I can say is any sub that plays the victim and gets taken advantage of by GCs doesn't belong in business for himself. Bunch of cry babies who just want to play in their sand box with their tools, play with bricks or hammer and nails and just happens to now get paid for it. Be in business or play with your tools, make your choice and stop crying I'm a victim.

laybrick

you're right. I'm dealing with a GC that is trying to take myself & some other subs that are friends of mine for a ride. Starting to find out other interesting facts about him. Like that he was under a different name & scammed a lot of people.HO's, subs, suppliers etc. now hes doing it again. I just know I probably won't see my money. sorry. didn't mean anything by it. just the word GCs been aggravateing lately. You're right about talking to the HO too. They always try to pump you for info and I DO make it a point to tell them to go to the GC, that's who I'm dealing with (through). Mike, I might whine a little(like everyone),and not the smartest at the business end (by a long shot), but I don't play with my tools (cept maybe 1) I've been in this god forsaken trade since I was 15 & learned my ass off for 25 years. I've got a pretty good rep for doing nice, high end custom work. Again , you guys are right, just aggravated. Another lesson learned the hard way

laybrick

can't argue with people I learn stuff from every day. I'm addicted to this site . Thanks

Mike Finley

You have 25 years of experience and you're still getting scammed? So we should guess then that this GC has 26 years of experience?

Sorry, it probably sounds harsh, but I don't have any remorse for people in business who can't take care of themselves. It's one thing if you are green, in your first year or so, but after you get your ass handed to you a couple of times, isn't it time to figure things out? Still crying after 5 years that GCs are taking advantage of you? I really can't have much sympothy for ya. 10 years?, 15? 20? If you haven't figured out how to eat scammer GCs for breakfast and spit em out by now, I mean, how long is it going to take you?

You're probably a great guy and great at what you do, but after 25 years if you are still playing the victim, claiming you are being scape goated by some jerk ass GCs all the time, I mean, come on now, where do the problems really lay at?

Haven't you seen every trick in the book by now? You ought to be spotting these punks tricks a mile away I would hope.

laybrick

25 yrs. in trade, only 3rd year on my own. and started with what I had(not much) trying to go from nothing. worked my way up pretty far so far in comparison to what I started with. Didn't get help from mommy & daddy or bank. Got put in the dirt for 2 years with chronic pancreatitis,lost my job & medical. Tried to get temporary disability, got denied twice.bite the bullet every day, with no medical care, to try to pay my bills. Thats all I ask for.

AtlanticWBConst

Yeah...3 years...in this business....there is ALOT to learn in terms of people, customers, and dirtbags who are jerking you around (not paying you)....This is not an easy business.

Additionally , there is alot to learn as well - in how to identify 'red flags' and also being able to ... 'read people'.

Example: About 2 years ago, we got a large blueboard hanging sub-job from a Plasterer. We didn't know much about this guy. My business partner (He is great at 'reading poeple') .... felt uneasy about him.

We talked about it. Then, a Light bulb went off - I called a few of the local supply houses and asked the guys in the main offices (we're buddies with them)... Do you know this guy, what do you know of him, how is his reputation about paying people?
All came back negative....bad reputation...
....yep, we dumped him. Didn't confront the guy, just told him that we had a big job, bigger than his that just came in on contract that was booked prior to him....(No need to butt heads with him)

__________________
- Build Well -

GopherGirl

Thank GOD!

I work for a GC and I am so sick and tired of hearing every guy with a truck, a hammer and a ladder saying "I'm gonna go into business for myself". Just because you are good at your trade, doesn't mean you can run a business. Pay attention to your subcontractor agreements and your purchase orders. Do what you are supposed to do when you say you are going to do it. Clean up your debris at the end of the day so you don't look like a bust out. And when you get back from your trip to Las Vegas cos you are a high rolling business owner now, don't call me for your draw two weeks early cos you can't make payroll. I don't care.

dirt diggler

this thread got more complicated than it should have


newbies who are doing sub work


1) Do not talk to my client
2) Stick to your prices