Subcontractors are the important individuals at a construction site. They give contractors and builders a path to avoid micromanagement. Managing subcontractors becomes a necessary task if you want to ensure productivity on your project. Subcontractor management basically involves handling subcontractors. They are responsible for handling the tasks assigned to them and making sure that the task is completed on time. Contractors and builders often feel troubled while managing subcontractors. You can manage them efficiently now. Read the following 5 tips and find solutions to the problems you face.
5 Tips for Subcontractor Management
1. Set Clear Goals
While handling subcontractors, it is necessary to set goals for them. You need to clear timelines and assign work properly so that they have clear goals set for themselves. When you clear the goals, it also provides clear communication and transparency with subcontractors.
2. Address Issues Properly
At a construction site, it is common to have different kinds of problems like weather, labour disputes, etc. You need to address them quickly and professionally. It helps in avoiding major disruption. For weather, you need to make a clear plan and consider every factor. To avoid any risk at site, you need to make aware that the workers are following safety protocols.
3. Maintain documentation
When subcontractors are given a task, they make progress in it every day. You can ask for a Daily Progress Report from them so that you can keep track of progress and also you can have a documented record for future reference. You can also make a document for them where you can justify scope of work.
4. Transparency in Communication
When you assign a subcontractor a task then you have to make sure that the message is clear. Set timelines for them and mention scope of work so that there is no misunderstanding. Keep in contact with the subcontractor so that he can give you real-time updates.
5. Use Digital Tools
Often contractors are troubled because they still haven’t moved to the modern ways of handling a construction project. Now, people use construction project management software to digitise their projects. Onsite is one of the best software that helps in managing subcontractors. With the help of Onsite, you can keep track of subcons within the app. You can keep a look at the progress they are making and what transactions they are doing at a site. There are many more features that Onsite offers which makes managing subcontractors easy.
Types of Subcontractors in Construction
1. Electrical Work
These subcontractors are those working professionals who work on the electrics of a construction site or project. Their task is not only limited to laying down the wires but also the proper installation and working of electrical appliances or hardware.
2. Painting Subcontractor
Another type of subcontractors who provide services in specific roles of construction. Tasks like painting the walls and paper hanging are mostly done by these subcontractors.
3. Plumbing
These subcontractors provide construction and services for plumbing, heating or thermal insulation, and air conditioning. They specialise not just in this field but sometimes in specific types of services. These subcontractors are also called mechanical contractors.
4. Roofing and Metal Work
They are a special type of subcontractors who focus on working on the roofs and skylight installation. Even the gutter installation is one of their responsibilities. They often work on roofing, siding, and also on sheet metal for roofs.
5. Masonry and Plastering
As the name suggests, these types of subcontractors deal in the masonry and plastering of a construction site or a project. Their responsibilities also include setting the stones, plastering, and even insulation. They can also have some specific skills and specialties like tile work.
6. Carpentry Work
These types of subcontractors focus on the woodwork of any construction site or project. The doors, windows, or wood panels are taken care of by these types of working professionals.
Where to find Subcontractors?
We have found a few sites for you so that you can hire subcontractors for your projects. Following are the links of a few sites from where you can contact subcontractors in India:
1. https://in.kompass.com/a/industrial-subcontractors/65/
2. https://www.subcontractsindia.com/subcontracting.html#google_vignette
Conclusion
So, if you are a contractor who has the responsibility to manage multiple subcontractors then you need to digitise your management. Use Onsite to enhance subcontractor management and follow the above-mentioned tips to increase productivity. Set gals for subcontractors, have clear communication with them, and urge them to follow safety protocols. All of these things help you at managing a construction site.
FAQs
1. What does an electrical subcontractor do?
These subcontractors are those working professionals who work on the electrics of a construction site or project. Their task is not only limited to laying down the wires but also the proper installation and working of electrical appliances or hardware.
2. Why to use digital tools for subcontractor management?
Often contractors are troubled because they still haven’t moved to the modern ways of handling a construction project. Now, people use construction project management software to digitise their projects. Onsite is one of the best software that helps in managing subcontractors. With the help of Onsite, you can keep track of subcons within the app. You can keep a look at the progress they are making and what transactions they are doing at a site. There are many more features that Onsite offers which makes managing subcontractors easy.
3. Why is it necessary to set clear goals to subcontractors?
While handling subcontractors, it is necessary to set goals for them. You need to clear timelines and assign work properly so that they have clear goals set for themselves. When you clear the goals, it also provides clear communication and transparency with subcontractors.