There is no reason to be showing the guys on site the contract between the GC and the sub. That is a management/office conversation. Being a GC doesn’t not allow for carte blanche and should properly follow rules of construction etiquette.

In my previous blog post I talk about an ASI that I believe was mistakenly denied 9 months after the fact. What I realized is that from now on any ASI we receive I will be asking for the corresponding structural plans to be sent with any changes or differences as well. The architect is…

So you get an ASI. You assume that by receiving the ASI you look at the plans supplied with the ASI and price accordingly. Submit ASI. Normally something like that should be approved and paid for within months. Instead 9 months later architect returns and says structurals show CMU even though the original architecturals show…

Long story short. GC asks for a VE credit pre-bid/pre-contract. Sub first gives GC a number of $52,000. Sub catches a mistake in size and corrects and resubmits again pre-contract now at $26,000. GC pressures sub to return to original $52,000 price. The actual kicker of the story is GC says awarding of the bid…

Don’t setup expectations of sending a payment on time only to delay it another couple of weeks.

I’m really thinking that to be a GC there should be a mandatory ethics class because it seems that many of them have NO problems making money from their subs in illegal ways essentially challenging subs to take them to court. Also what are your thoughts on accepting bids that are more than 10% below…

Sometimes you just need to vent. This is one of those times.

Just as in personal credit a business owner needs to manage their business credit and make sure they are getting it even when they don’t need it. If you don’t do so you won’t get any when you most need it. Counter intuitive to some degree but it’s just a fact.

Call me crazy but I don’t think it helps anyone when a GC takes a bid that is obviously too low. Something generally will be off and the GCs who let a sub know they are way underpriced not only help the sub but themselves and the owners.

Often times subs are so busy trying to please everyone they forget to check on their actual business. People/vendors and other who are hired to help need to be cross-checked. Don’t find yourself in a position when you realize that you have been overcharged on Worker’s Comp, overcharged on unemployment taxes, and overcharged on lots…

Yes the construction world revolves around contracts. Usually the GC is trying to create verbiage as broad as possible to convince a sub they agreed to it within their scope. Stop. Your subs aren’t stupid and the more you treat them as such the more they will look for ways to recoup money the GC…

1. Don’t simply try to sneak it in without saying anything or putting it in the Table of Contents for the spec documents. 2. If you don’t start on time and finish on time thus delaying our start and pushing us into a busier season and messing with our schedule by months then realize your…

It used to be that the GC took responsibility for SWPPP plans. Not anymore it seems. Rent your own dumpster. Rent your own cleanup. What’s next rent your own porta-potty?

If you ever look at your GC’s Project Manager and somehow see Darth Vader instead it is likely due to the behavior or superiority complex of the Project Manager. How do you bring balance? There are many ways to do so. Knowing your contract and fighting back is one-way. Going over their head is another…

We want to see Man, Materials, and Machinery on your change orders. Sketchy as hell back charges with little to no explanation and definitely not in the now required format seems sketchy at best and well I guess that is the worst as well.

Obey the contract. Obey the contract. Obey the contract. Obey the contract only when sued. GCs really need to reconsider their stances. They do damage so often by refusing that which they have agreed to and asked the subcontractor to agree to. Work or we’ll kick you off the job. Worked when they said? Did…

Short answer is no. However some General Contractors might try and pull exactly that. Paying for only materials isn’t legal or ethical. Attempting to make one trade or really any trade a fall-guy for the GC’s own mistakes will only come back to bite you. Just remember documentation is paramount. Take pictures. Save e-mails. Save…

It happens more than you think. Before you sign a contract. Before you start on a job. Before you supply a job with labor or material make SURE, no DAMN sure you know who you are really working with. Signing a contract with an entity that doesn’t exist, isn’t licensed properly, or misrepresents themselves could…

At what point should I lien? At what point should I disrupt a GC/Owner relationship? At what point should I resent so much money being loaned via my company to the detriment of my company and its employees before I just go straight to the banks, HUD, state bond funds etc. and blow the whistle…