When hiring a subcontractor, look for these signs….
In the mist of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign are hoping everyone is safe, washing your hands frequently, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we are planning on blogging about how to make your website more business friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
Covid-19 has made most of us think outside the box with regards to our business. Trying to grow your organization, and at the same time keep cost down. Hiring subcontractor is a good way to keep cost down. However, more and more scary stories are coming out about hiring subcontractors. Subcontractors attempting to steal your current clients. Subcontractors revealing some of your companies secrets. Subcontractors not performing all the expected task. Subcontractors wanting to be paid prior to the completion of work, and not finishing the work or project. Here is a roadmap to use to avoid the nightmare subcontractor…
Lack of timeframe
Lack of timeframe. This is a bad sign, when hiring a subcontractor. While it is the Laws of Physics, that things can go wrong at any time. However, if you provide your subcontractor with a schedule, and requirement and that can not be met. That is not a good sign. Especially if the subcontractor is more focused on getting paid and not providing any service.
Lack of Referrals
Lack of referrals. If you subcontractor can not provide you with a list of referrals, then that is a bad sign. As a matter of fact, your subcontractor should have a website…and you should be able to select any project on their site. Make sure that you ask specific questions to the referral. Was the project completed on time? Did the price increase? Was you able to communicate through the process? How did the subcontractor communicate any issues or concerns? Look for professionalism. Move pass the referrals with nothing to say but it was a great project and moved smoothly. Seek the one, in which an issue came up, and their are willing to express how the issue was resolved.
Lack of Examples
Lack of examples. Everyone has to begin somewhere. Maybe your relationship is the the beginning. If that is the case, then that is fine. Make sure that you have all your expectations clearly defined. If you are not the subcontractor’s first project, then some examples of their work. Remember it is not about the aesthetics, but about did the solve the issue. There are a lot of nice looking cars with no engines…what good is a good looking car, that you can not drive.
Finally
Finally, sometimes we just need to trust our instincts. Be patience. Be very clear in your expectations. Make sure that anytime a communication issue pop up, that you address it. What is on your list, might not be on the subcontractors list. Relax and grow with your project.
Image courtesy of Mathilde Langevin.
