3 Things To Check Before Hiring a Sub contractor

Bringing a subcontractor on to your project can be one of the most difficult decisions you will make as a project manager. Selecting the wrong subcontractor to team with can completely set a project back with delays, cost overruns, safety violations, and generally shoddy work. Picking the right firm, however, can be a boon for business, with project deadlines easily met and exceptional work completed. So, when your project’s success is on the line, and you have to evaluate and determine which subcontractor to hire, what should you keep in mind?

Here are three key things to look for before hiring a subcontractor.

1. What is their area of expertise?

Most subcontractors can perform work across a variety of sectors and disciplines, but all typically have one area in which they excel. Finding a subcontractor who specializes in performing the type of work that is expressly key to the success of your project can pay big dividends in the long run. Most companies make it clear and promote areas of work in which they excel, so be sure to partner with a firm that is best positioned to meet your needs.

2. Does their reputation precede them?

Reputation matters in the construction industry, and poor work in the past will likely follow a subcontractor to this day. Consult with your network of peers and fellow industry insiders to avoid getting burned by a bad subcontractor. Chances are, someone you know has worked with a firm in the past, and can provide insight into the quality of their work.

3. Is the subcontractor an innovator?

Finding a subcontractor with a flair for innovation can be difficult, but extremely beneficial. Not all projects will proceed under ideal conditions. Obstacles may arise when you least expect them. Having a subcontractor on your team who can react quickly and develop creative solutions on the spot will make it much easier to handle adversity on your project. Review highlighted projects from a subcontractor’s past to determine how they have put creative engineering to work to keep a project on track.