Employees Or Subs?

paroofer

Which do you use and why? I get the feeling that most on here have employees (or just work alone). We've tried both and had the worst time with employees. We paid competitively, offered a basic health insurance plan, even treated them decent. STILL had trouble with getting 40 hours out of them for a week. They left us high and dry a couple of times. Got discusted and started using just one sub. They show up and get the job done quickly, they just aren't careful with windows etc.
What's the general concensus?

Mike Finley

So far subs and day labor have worked for me.

By the way - rate of pay is on the bottom of the list when an employee is asked to rate what makes them stay at a job.

Being satisfied and feeling that they contribute to the company and are appreciated is always listed as #1.

Tom R

I don't know about 'those' guys, - - but whenever I was an employee, - - satisfaction and rate of pay were directly proportional.

__________________
http://www.tr-built.com

paroofer

We never mistreated people or made them feel like "maggots". The guy who runs our sub crew said we were too nice. He has people that have been with him for over 5 years and he is one tough SOB.

The Yaz Man

I have had equal luck with subs and payrollees. Both have been great. I make more on my own guys so I only call into the subs when my guys are swamped.

And it is a crap shoot with both. Very rarelly do you have the time to see the guys work ineither case. Thankfully you usually know mistake hires and subs the first go around, if you don't then you shouldn't be doing it anyway.

The Yaz Man

And Mike is right about feeling appreciated. I delegate alot of scheduling and material co-ordination to my mechanics. Those same guys went without pay when we first started together when our operation was alot smaller and questionable. They stuck through it with me and enjoy more responsibility and less "boss" on their back.

But then again they make well too. So which came first chicken or egg, right?

Grumpy

I use both subs and employees. When I started I said I am only going to use subs for many reasons. Then I started to use employees. Now I am considering going back to subs.

There are headaches to both subs and employees it's just a different set of headaches.

If a sub breaks it he bought it. Meaning be upfront about the fact that you are going to fix any damage they cause at their expense.