Taking on the Sub Jobs
However, it needs to be approached with a clear understanding and a written agreement in order to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the installer and the job fabricator. If either side is sloppy or dishonest about these details, gray areas may appear to sour present and future business.
From an installer’s perspective, there’s a very important first question: Why are you subcontracting out this install?
If the fabricator you’re trying to work with won’t give you a straight answer on this, it’s a red flag that you should avoid doing business with him. If he won’t tell you why he needs you to install, it’s doubtful you’ll get a straight answer – especially if your invoice takes a while to get paid.
There are only five real answers to the “why sub this one out” question, and a fabricator who’s straight up with you on his rationale may be a worthy business partner.
The first reason is that the fabricator is too busy to install the job himself. He may have a limited number of install crews, or an install crew with issues; or, his fabrication business may be growing and the install wing isn’t keeping pace. The fabricator’s clients may be unhappy with the delivery dates they have been promised, and he turns to you to assist with the overflow.
Even the best run countertop business runs low on manpower sometimes. Overflow work is the best kind for a subcontract installer, as you’ll get a mix of projects (instead of just the ones a fabricator is trying to avoid).
Second, the job may be too difficult for his crews. We’ve all been on jobs that required every bit of our stone-installation expertise. If a fabricator accustomed to cookie-cutter tract projects suddenly lands a large custom home with details galore, he may hesitate about sending out his own guys to do the install. Your installation experience and skill make you valuable in a situation like this – and make sure to bill accordingly.
Third, he can’t make money paying his own crew to install the job. If the fabricator lands a small square-foot job a considerable distance away, he may think twice about sending his own crew, especially if they are hourly employees. Coming to terms on a job like this can be a win/win, especially if you can piggyback the install with another job in the area.
Fourth, he doesn’t feel the installation risk is worth the reward. He took on a job with an expensive stone, and was lucky enough to get it through his fabrication facility. Now, he’s hesitant about pushing his luck, and decides to try and alleviate some on the risk by subcontracting the install.