Who SUBS Out Most Of Their Work?

mxim

just curious as to how many of you sub out your work. i do roofing and siding but am just starting windows. that said,i sub out all my window work to a very experienced crew. jobs that are'nt complex and are baiscally replacement is very easy. just need to know how to measure and price. i measure all the windows,price the cost of each window and installation,then i give the cistomer my price. once they give me a deposit,i then send my installer their again for one more measure (just to be sure). thats when i order the windows. customers actually like the idea that i say "i always measure twice". i no longer to any siding or roofing work either. used to but not anymore. i just measure and quote the price. my philosophy is a guy is only as good as his crew. i see so many successful home builders,small guys who make lots of money and NONE of them lifts a finger.its all subbed out. i pay pretty well actually. 100 bucks per window with wrapping(alluminnum),90 per square for siding and roofing.

mxim

just curious.

Dollabill

We are thinking about subing out post holes as business grows. After that, there's not much more subing to do. Good luck with your ventures.

silvertree

Just started subing out more work, framing, rock and tape, all mechanicals and now I'm starting to sub out cabinet install and some trim work. After 30 years I am becoming a paper contractor. I put the package together and run it right.

Michaeljp86

There is or was alot of builders that just watched the building go up and did paper work. They would get the plans from a architect have the subs give him a quote on everything then he gives the home owner his price and subs do everything. He just hires the subs and makes sure it gets done.

There was a housing boom here but its over now and there was alot of guys became millionairs like this and never lifted a hammer. Just had their license and did the paperwork.

fathersonfab

Hey, nothing wrong with that! That's how you go from being a general contractor to a construction company.

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Kevin75

The volume that I sub is based purely on how busy we are.

Marquis

The key to sub contracting work is project managment, quality assurance, and communication with your trade. If you set your standards and hold your sub contractors to them, it will allow you to build smarter. Be very clear in your expectations and make your subs sign a sub contractor agreement. Pay them on time and be loyal to good work- don't leave them over pennies as you will surely pay dearly as price does not always appear to be what it is on the surface.

Managing your projects based on timelines and deadlines will ensure your clients are satisfied.

mxim

well said my friend.

Michaeljp86

I wish I could do that, sub it all out and make a healthy chunk of money just for hiring subs.

silvertree

After 20 years as a licensed GC i have my first few jobs where I subbed most of the work, it has gone really well, and the subs have been great to work with. Profit has been more to where I expected it to be and it's more relaxed for me knowing that if something comes up it will be handled by someone else, and not by my working 12 more hours that week. I feel that my business is evolving as it should.