How to handle subcontractors who don't do what they say they will
One of the biggest and most difficult problems home owners have to face when they are remodeling or building a house is subcontractors who fall through on their contracts. If you have this kind of problem, how can you handle subcontractors who don't do what they say they will?
Here are some basic tips for finding a reliable subcontractor and what to do if your subcontractor falls through on what they say they will do.
Finding a reliable subcontractor can be hard for a number of different reasons. One of the main reasons it's hard to find a good subcontractor is because there are over 40 different kinds of specialty subcontractors who are out there. You have to find the right subcontractor for each different job that you have to do with your building or your remodeling.
Why bother with subcontractors anyway? Well, basically all general contractors depend on a bunch of other subcontractors to help them out. And any subcontractor that you hire will also depend on a whole bunch of other subcontractors that they hire to help them out.
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Having a great team of subcontractors can ensure that you get your jobs done well, and also can ensure that you meet any kind of building requirements and remodeling requirements.
Before you end up with a problem with any of your subcontractors, try the following 9 steps to form a good relationship with your subcontractors and keep that good, strong working relationship with your subcontractors.
1. If you find subs that you like, hire them for all of your remodeling and building contracts and projects.
2. Keep up a good communication with your subcontractors. If they feel appreciated as a professional as you ask for their opinion and what they think, then they will work harder for you and do a better job.
3. Give your subs up to date and detailed plans so that they know what they are supposed to do.
4. If there are any delays in your remodeling plans or if you make any changes, let all of your subs know right away.
5. Have good working conditions.
6. If you are in charge of having the material ready, then you should have that material available when the subs show up for work.
7. Don't stick your nose in the subs work. You have to tell them what you want, but they are the experts.
8. Pay right away.
9. Have someone else who can help direct what is going on.
So what happens if you end having a problem with your subcontractors? Well, you can start out by trying to avoid problems by making sure that you only hire subcontractors who are certified by the state board of commerce. You need to make sure that they are licensed.
If you hire a licensed contractor, then you can have recourse through the state to recover money from the subcontractor's business and their funds. If you hire someone who is not licensed by the state, then you might be up a creek without a paddle.
The first thing that you should do is to call your state's Board of Commerce. Your state might also have a Registrar of Contractors, like California, where you can file a complaint about the subcontractor.
If either of those agencies can't help you out, then you should also contact your state's Attorney General's office. The Attorney General can help you find out if other homeowners have had similar problems with these particular subcontractors. You might need to take the case to court. If this happens, you will still have a better chance of recovering your money if you have hired a licensed subcontractor instead of someone that isn't not officially registered with the state.
