How do you feel about homeowners hiring subs?
Hi Tyrone,
Great question! When homeowners hire subs the homeowner assumes ALL risk.
Best,
FLEF Construction
MD, DC
Hi Tyrone,
I believe that a homeowner can successfully hire subcontractors - to a point. For instance, if a homeowner wanted to reroof and paint the home as one project, I think they could do it easily with a little bit of self education such as talking to the building department about what permits would be needed and reading literature about how to best coordinate a project.
I think a few hours of research would teach a homeowner what to look for in a legitimate contractor (licensing, insurances, references).
At a certain point (all depending on the homeowner’s knowledge and background) the homeowner is better off to hire a GC to run the job. A GC is experienced and should know exactly how to pull permits, choose subcontractors, schedule work, and properly communicate between subcontractors and homeowners.
I think it is well it worth the homeowner’s money to hire a GC to run a construction project. The time that is needed to manage a job should be reason enough for the homeowner to do whatever job they do best while having a GC do a better job running their project.
Hope this helps Tyrone.
Exactly. A GC can hire subs for just about any part of the job. In accordance to the law the GC is responsible for verifying the subs insurance & licensing is up to date. The GC is also ultimately responsible for the subs’ production. If a homeowner hires someone to do part of a project directly not through the GC, the individual is not considered a sub & therefore only answers to the client. Their work isn’t included in the GC’s scope of work or warranty.
The GC normally does this and in turn takes all the risk. Anyone can hire a sub but without a GC the risk is in the contract with the sub and scope of work. You can easily get scammed by hiring unqualified or unlicensed subs that can cause you a huge lose. Get a GC and leave the responsibilities with them.
The GC is the responsible party and all contracting is to go through the GC it is a state mandate per the ROC.
Technically meaning of a word subcontractor presumes they work under another contractor. So homeowner will be hiring a Contractor (or a bunch of them). It’s nearly impossible for a homeowner to check the contractor aside from his license and possibly insurance standing. Contractor’s track record, financial strength, relationship with municipalities, business practices, relationships with vendors, etc. etc. - Google or Angie’s list doesn’t have that.
It’s like fixing a car - some drivers are capable of changing flat tire, but that’s about it. Some will call AAA right away.
Of course
Have a great Thanksgiving,
Yes, anyone can a hire sub-contractor. This is just a terminology used in the construction trades, with that said subcontractors are usually licensed contractors with in their specialty of there trades.
There is nothing wrong with hiring a sub-contractor just be sure that they are knowledgeable and capable of handling the project before you do I am a general contractor, I hire subs as needed I refer subs to some homeowners when I cannot provide service for the type of work they are looking for at the time.