Subcontractor Tips for Finding Good General Contractors to Work With

The commercial construction industry relies on a number of mutually beneficial relationships. This is most evident is the relationship between general contractors and trade contractors. General contractors typically subcontract out work to a variety of subcontractors in order to successfully complete construction projects. In turn, trade contractors rely on general contractors to provide them with work on projects they have been awarded.

In a previous post, we discussed Tips for Avoiding & Dealing With Subcontractor Default. Today we’re flipping the script a bit and talking about how trade contractors can ensure they are finding and building relationships with the right general contractors and hopefully avoid the unscrupulous ones.

Establishing the General Contractor – Subcontractor Relationship

Do your homework. General contractors often require subcontractors to get prequalified to do work with them before being invited to submit pricing or bid on projects. General contractors typically request information on a potential subcontractor’s safety record, finances, bonding capabilities, litigation history, insurance coverage, relevant work history, and experience, etc.

The sharing of this type of information should be a two-way street. It’s only fair that trade contractors be able to perform a vetting process of their own to determine that they will be working with a reputable general contractor should they be awarded a project. General contractors often have to provide this information to owners, both public and private, as either part of a prequalification process or prior to being awarded a contract.