Subcontractors are a part of every construction site, but what they do and how they impact the project vary. They bring specialty work to every job, including HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal work, and even site prep and excavation. Looking for the right hire for your project and adequate subcontractor management means being willing to collaborate, problem-solve, and use the latest technology.
Quick look
- Subcontractors collaborate with general contractors to bring special expertise to a job site.
- Subcontractor work may include excavation, electrical work, concrete pouring, plumbing, and more.
- General contractors don’t have the education and training of every subcontractor trade, making subs invaluable to a project.
- When choosing subcontractors, evaluate their willingness to collaborate, problem-solve, and participate in early construction planning.
- Simplify subcontractor management by conducting routine check-ins, staying on top of documentation, and implementing proper technology.
What is a subcontractor?
A subcontractor is a contractor hired by a party other than the owner. They may be hired by other subcontractors or general contractors and are usually brought on because they specialize in a specific field of work. Subcontractors are also often known as trade contractors or specialty contractors.
Subcontractor vs general contractor: What’s the difference?
Subcontractors and general contractors play separate but often collaborative roles in construction. The main distinction is the hierarchy of work.
- General contractors (GCs) oversee the project and have more big-picture tasks. These include budgeting, scheduling, and ensuring the project fulfills the client’s vision. They also play a more managerial role, facilitating various aspects of the project and ensuring everything comes together without disruption.
- Subcontractors focus on more specialized work. They offer expertise in trades like roofing, electrical work, or plumbing. They are often responsible for completing parts of a larger project that require precision and technical knowledge. Subcontractors ensure that each specific element of a project is executed to industry standards, contributing to the overall project’s completion.
What does a subcontractor do?
The specific tasks of subcontractors depend on their individual trade. An electrician, for example, will complete different tasks than a roofer or plumber. However, there are more general responsibilities that overlap between specialties.
- Job plans: Some trades, such as electricians and mechanical contractors, design and provide plans specific to their parts of a project. These plans could include drawings detailing the specifications of what they’re executing. This ensures that regional codes and engineering requirements are met for each job.
- Labor management: Subcontractors often lead their own work crews, which ensures the right skills are in the right places at the correct times for the job. The most efficient planning reduces downtime and keeps the overall job timeline on track.
- Estimate and bid: Successful subcontractors know their numbers well and can accurately estimate labor hours, material costs, and the overall project scope. They use that information to prepare formal estimates that safeguard profit margins, earn them a reputation for reliability, and ultimately win more contracts.
- Collaborate with GCs: Subcontractors work closely with general contractors to align schedules and avoid delays. They ensure that granular tasks like HVAC installation, electrical work, and drywall complement each other or are completed in tandem to keep the project moving. While subcontractors may collaborate, they primarily work with the GCs to ensure high-level efficiency.
- Closeout and maintenance: At the end of their part of the work, a subcontractor will conduct inspections and hand over applicable documentation and a full status report to the GC. For systems that require long-term maintenance, like elevators or HVAC, subcontractors may be hired by the building to provide ongoing maintenance.
6 types of subcontractors to know about
1. Site prep and excavation
Before a new project can break ground, some GCs will have site preparation subcontractors ensure the job site is ready for construction. These contractors bring heavy equipment, remove trees, prepare a proper driveway, level the property, and begin excavation. On smaller projects, the general contractor might take on this work themsel,ves or a specialty contractor might hire a sub-subcontractor to handle this portion.
2. Concrete
These subcontractors pour foundations, footings, or other cementitious structures or buildings. These roles typically partner with a GC directly to establish a contract and lay the groundwork. They may also aid site preparation by pouring the driveway concrete, walkways, or patios for finished projects. Mid-project duties may include installing precast concrete materials like beams, culverts, and walls.
3. Framing and carpentry
A building’s structure and framing can be made from various materials, including steel, wood, or concrete. GCs typically handle wood framing, but they might hire a framing subcontractor depending on the project scope. Structural and carpentry contractors may also install exterior sheathing, including doors and windows.
4. HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) subcontractors take on the responsibility of a project’s climate. They ensure everything is safe, comfortable, and reliable in the long term. Interior climate control requires highly technical knowledge, so more often than not, it’s left up to a professional with the right expertise.
These subcontractors install and maintain furnaces, boilers, ductwork, air conditioners, and other units that keep the space comfortable. They are often called mechanical contractors and may also handle gas and plumbing.
5. Plumbing
A plumbing subcontractor’s primary concern is getting water into and out of a home or building. They install and test waste lines, vents, and water pipes in new or ongoing construction and connect to wells or city water lines.
Plumbers may also hire their own septic or excavation subcontractors to install leach fields and tanks, although sometimes, these sub-subcontractors are sourced by the GCs.
6. Exteriors and sheet metal
Exterior and sheet metal subcontractors primarily focus on adequately enclosing a building and protecting the interior from the elements, a process called drying in the building envelope. Typically, a GC will hire and schedule these subcontractors.
These subcontractors often break down into sub-subcontractors like roofers, siders, glazers, and stucco workers. Many of these professionals work with prefabricated materials they prepare and bring before the installation to make the work quick and move the project forward efficiently.
Why subcontractors are important in construction
Subcontractors are essential for virtually every construction site because they bring specialized skills that a GC may not possess. A plumber shouldn’t be hired to execute roofing tasks, and a drywaller shouldn’t do the electrical work.
Hiring the right people for specific jobs allows work to move faster, be done with the utmost quality, and ensure the project meets industry and compliance standards. Subcontractors’ expertise also means costly construction mistakes can be prevented.
How to pick the right subcontractor for your job
Picking the right subcontractor for your job might seem as easy as hiring the first person who appears on a Google search. However, not all subcontractors are the same. Consider the following to help vet subcontractors for your next project.
- Look at their workflow and use of tech: The construction industry has quickly evolved with technology in recent years, and subcontractors who embrace the shift could be of greater value in terms of efficiency and quality of work.
- Understand their problem-solving skills: If you can, look at their past projects and dig into instances where they’ve faced issues and how they resolved them. Subcontractors who are pro-change and natural problem-solvers are more likely to keep your project timeline on track.
- Look at their network: A subcontractor with a good reputation will have strong supplier connections. Ask about their relationships in their fields to understand their reputation.
- Assess their willingness to collaborate: A subcontractor’s willingness to participate in early-planning and pre-construction conversations is a great sign. They can offer insights and save potential delays and headaches down the line. Their input on feasibility and material costs may prevent expensive and time-consuming errors in the future.
Tips to effectively manage subcontractors on the job site
Do you already have your teams of subcontractors and sub-subcontractors in place? Here are some of the best ways to effectively manage them:
- Set clear expectations: Ensure they understand the project scope, deadlines, and deliverables before they begin. They must know their responsibilities to align their schedules and execute properly.
- Stay on top of documentation: Maintain detailed hardcopy or digital records or change orders, communications, and contracts. This encourages a culture of transparency and can protect both parties against disputes.
- Conduct regular check-ins: Set up consistent touchpoints and status updates with your subcontractors. These frequent progress reviews will ensure any issues or delays are addressed and fixed sooner rather than later. Even quick syncs can help maintain proper project alignment.
- Promote collaboration between contractors: Subcontractors may primarily work with a GC, but it helps to foster a culture of open communication and collaboration between specialty workers, especially where the work overlaps. This minimizes the risk of conflict and smooths handovers.
- Use technology: Platforms like Smartbuild and Sage are designed to help construction workers streamline their project management. These tools typically support scheduling, document signing and sharing, and real-time status tracking, which boosts efficiency and improves collaboration across all phases of the project.
Bottom line
General contractors are essential to every construction project, but a project wouldn’t be complete without subcontractors (and sub-subcontractors!). These specialty tradespeople bring unique expertise to every site and accomplish tasks such as site prep, framing, HVAC, and exterior work.
Picking the right subcontractors involves assessing their willingness to collaborate, their network, and their problem-solving skills. Managing your subcontractors is easy with regular check-ins, technology, and healthy collaboration.
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