How to Hire Subcontractors: A Guide for Homeowners and Contractors

Whether you’re a general contractor or managing your own home’s renovation project, bringing in a team of tradespeople with specialized skills guarantees quality work that meets building codes. Learning how to hire subcontractors with the right experience and credentials can prevent a dream design from becoming a construction calamity.

What Services Does a Subcontractor Offer?

The team of subcontractors you need to hire depends on the project scope and who is already involved. If you’re a general contractor, you might have an in-house team of tradespeople and only need to hire niche subcontractors with specific licenses or craft skills. Homeowners will need to subcontract all the construction work.

This list of subcontractors you might need to hire is long, but here are some common types. 

• Licensed electricians

• Licensed plumbers

• Licensed concrete contractor

• Masonry and drywall contractors

• Licensed roofing and siding

• Painters and decorators

• Plasterer

• Licensed demolition contractor

Can You DIY Projects That Require Subcontractors?

If you’re a homeowner managing a renovation project, you might be tempted to DIY as much as possible to save money. However, some parts of the project will require hiring a subcontractor. 

For example, licensed professionals must conduct major electrical or plumbing work to meet permit and building code requirements. Even when there isn’t a legal requirement, unless you have the time and skill to learn how to plaster walls or other niche jobs, hiring a subcontractor guarantees quick, quality work.

As a general contractor, hiring subcontractors helps keep your project on time, on budget, and to a standard that will please your client.

Tips for Hiring a Subcontractor

Unreliable subcontractors producing shoddy work can wreak havoc on a renovation project and negatively affect reputations. Following these steps will help you find a dependable specialist. 

1. Check Subcontractor Qualifications, License, and References

Shop around for subcontractors with recommendations via word of mouth, online reviews, and portfolios. Get a shortlist of several candidates, check that they meet any state contractor license requirements and have accreditation in their specialist fields. The last thing you want is to risk fines or legal repercussions for unlicensed work.

Subcontractors also need insurance to protect themselves, you, and your client. This may include liability, errors and omissions, surety bonds, and workers’ compensation.

2. Interview Subcontractors and Get Multiple Quotes

Once you have a shortlist, get several contractor estimates. You want a fair price, but it doesn’t always have to be the lowest quote. During the interviews, ask the contractors for references and check their qualifications, expected timelines, and work style to gauge their overall compatibility for the project. 

3. Draft an Agreement

Having a written home renovation contract for any subcontractor you employ is essential. It clarifies what you expect as part of the job and protects both parties from liability issues. Having a lawyer draw up or at least review the contract provides additional reassurance. 

The contract should clearly define the scope of the work, including the tools, materials, and any permits required, as well as start and end dates and payment schedules. Including a selection sheet means there won’t be any doubt about colors, brands, and quantities of materials they use. 

Before work starts, you should have a signed contract and any relevant paperwork, such as a completed W-9 form for the IRS and copies of insurance and licensing certificates, in place.

4. Arrange Payments 

The contract should outline a payment schedule. How much you pay your subcontractor up front depends on the size of the job and the total estimated cost. Some subcontractors may require an additional payment partway through the project and a final payment on completion. The cost of hiring a subcontractor also depends on their trade and level of expertise.

Questions to Ask a Subcontractor

Asking the right questions at the interview stage can help you ferret out subcontractors without the right experience, reputation, or reliability. Some worth asking include:

• Can you provide the paperwork to show that you’re licensed, bonded, and insured?

• When are you available, and what is your timeline for completing the project?

• What equipment do you have, and what materials would you need?

• Can you provide details of your safety record?

• Where can I view customer testimonials and reviews of your work?

Choosing the Right Subcontractor

When you research and ask the right questions, hiring a reliable subcontractor near you doesn’t have to be stressful. However, don’t take the task lightly. If you bring the wrong person on board, they can set the project back, cost you money, and ruin your reputation with a client.

After Your Subcontractor Has Finished

Once your subcontractor has completed the job, make the final payment promptly and consider leaving a review of their work and acting as a reference. This can help future clients and build a good relationship with your subcontractor should you wish to work with them again.