mightygodam
New member
@chupee Thanks for the reply and the information!
As for your questions:
I have up to 5 guys that are kind of "floaters" that I use for all my fence, decks, framing, and painting. They range from injured veterans to a 2 time felon. I use these guys according to their background. The vets can go on any job, the felon can only be on jobs I feel comfortable him being. Outside jobs only, preferably only where the homeowner will never come in contact with him. I'm on every job working right next to them, so the work is always to my high-standards. I only use subs that come recommended by people I know and trust. I am fortunate enough to know two retired home builders from the area.
Would they make more money finding the jobs themselves? Yes, definitely, and sometimes they do. I add 20-25% on top of the bid I get from my sub. They all know they have to reduce their cost some or we won't get the bid, because my charge doesn't budge. The way I've been successful with concrete driveways and rationalize my more expensive bid is by including services the concrete only companies don't. I will have your irrigation moved, bring fill dirt in and plant new grass along the driveway so it's a clean finished look. Plant new trees and do new landscaping. Anything I can think of I ask them about. So instead of selling the driveway, I sell everything. I would think concrete companies would do this, but I've found surprisingly that they don't.
My experience with subs doing all the work? So far, it's been great. My machine operator and concrete installer are amazing. They are really the ones I've had the most experience with thus far, so the only ones I can comment on. We are all cut from the same breed. We all do it the best, so we are more expensive. Apart from actually being a trustworthy person, I come across as one and people are usually very comfortable with me very quickly and that comes into play when they rationalize my higher price.
As for your questions:
I have up to 5 guys that are kind of "floaters" that I use for all my fence, decks, framing, and painting. They range from injured veterans to a 2 time felon. I use these guys according to their background. The vets can go on any job, the felon can only be on jobs I feel comfortable him being. Outside jobs only, preferably only where the homeowner will never come in contact with him. I'm on every job working right next to them, so the work is always to my high-standards. I only use subs that come recommended by people I know and trust. I am fortunate enough to know two retired home builders from the area.
Would they make more money finding the jobs themselves? Yes, definitely, and sometimes they do. I add 20-25% on top of the bid I get from my sub. They all know they have to reduce their cost some or we won't get the bid, because my charge doesn't budge. The way I've been successful with concrete driveways and rationalize my more expensive bid is by including services the concrete only companies don't. I will have your irrigation moved, bring fill dirt in and plant new grass along the driveway so it's a clean finished look. Plant new trees and do new landscaping. Anything I can think of I ask them about. So instead of selling the driveway, I sell everything. I would think concrete companies would do this, but I've found surprisingly that they don't.
My experience with subs doing all the work? So far, it's been great. My machine operator and concrete installer are amazing. They are really the ones I've had the most experience with thus far, so the only ones I can comment on. We are all cut from the same breed. We all do it the best, so we are more expensive. Apart from actually being a trustworthy person, I come across as one and people are usually very comfortable with me very quickly and that comes into play when they rationalize my higher price.