Some of us like to think that business can still be accomplished with a handshake agreement, and that may be true for some industries and individuals. However, in the construction industry, establishing rights, rules, responsibilities, and recourse in a written contract is essential.
You may have a written subcontractor agreement in place (and good for you, if you do), but do you have written prequalification criteria to determine which subcontractor you want to hire before you get to the signing stage?
It’s important to establish qualifications you expect your subcontractors to meet, so these can be addressed as early in the process as possible.
John Lack, Acuity Construction Consultant, says his top four criteria for subcontractor prequalification are:
1. Project Experience
It’s obvious that you want to hire subcontractors who have expertise in their trade. They know what they’re doing, and they do it well. They should carry the appropriate licenses for the nature of work being performed and show a portfolio of projects completed.
2. References
Do an online search for any type of contractor, and you are likely to find an advertisement indicating they are the best at what they do. However, it’s important to validate that claim. Subcontractors should be able to provide a reference list that includes previous customers, general contractors who have hired them, and bank references. Previous customers are a great resource for how the subcontractor's work holds up over time. GCs can speak to the subcontractor’s professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to work with other contractors. Finally, a bank reference may be important for larger contracts to ensure the contractor is financially solvent. Checking a bank reference will provide some peace of mind that they can continue to pay their bills in between payouts from your contract.
3. Proof of Insurance
You can be held liable for anything a subcontractor does on your job site or related to your job, so confirming insurance is critical. You can ask for certificates of insurance but recognize that piece of paper or pdf is a snapshot—evidence of coverage as of the date the certificate was issued. A subcontractor should carry whatever insurance your subcontract agreement deems necessary, but general liability, auto liability, and workers’ compensation at a minimum. Best practices include having your company named as additional insured on any liability policy the subcontractor carries. Their policies should include primary and non-contributory wording, meaning your insurance should not contribute to a loss they cause. They should also have their policies endorsed to provide your company with waiver of subrogation and notice of cancellation with a minimum of 30 days’ notice. The longer the notice period, the more time you and they will have to secure replacement coverage.
4. Legal History
Check the subcontractor's license on the contractor’s board to confirm appropriate licensing and to see if there have been any complaints or citations. Check OSHA’s website for any complaints or citations as well. Run a background check to see if there are any suits, judgments, or liens against the subcontractor. Be sure to consider any other governmental entities that may have a record of citations or violations (EPA, state/county agencies, etc.).
Some other qualifications you may wish to consider include:
For more information on insurance for contractors, please visit Acuity’s website.
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