What is the most gratifying aspect of working in the subcontracting industry, and what is the most frustrating?
When we put that question to our subcontractor members, we got back diverse, interesting – and sometimes surprising – answers. Here are some of them.
Gratifying:
"Working on unique local projects and building long-lasting relationships in our industry.”
Frustrating:
"Finding the manpower and labor to keep up with local project demands."–
John Isham, Casper Company
G:
"Being part of a team building a great project that everyone feels proud of."
F:
"Lack of communication and commitment from any other trade or G.C.on a project ."–
Kevin Grogg, Associate Mechanical
G:
"Solving a problem or getting a difficult installation done that everyone thought could not be done."
F:
"Working with others who are not like-minded and don't believe teamwork is a key to a project's success ."–
Billy Sheldon, Sheldon Site Utilities
G:
"Seeing our customers (general contractors and end users achieve the goals of their contract and feeling we've done our part in that success."
F:
"Working with superintendents and project managers who do not understand good-quality partnerships with give and take on both sides, but who just look for subs to simply fall in line ."–
Alan Lopez, Shore Total Office
G:
"The diversity of locations every few weeks and the variety of things we install -- this work is never boring."
F:
"When the GC pushes to hurry and get it done, and high quality is required, and we have limited man hours in our bid, and it seems no one cares about our needs onsite or the time we need to complete our scope of work – this can be frustrating, especially if it leads to loss of income." –
Shawn Halverson, Surfacing Solutions
G:
"Completing the firestopping scope correctly provides passive fire protection for the future occupants of the project. This gives my team great satisfaction that they take a part in helping save lives."
F:
"Having to deal with 5-7 contracts on one project (plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire sprinkler, drywall, etc.). I wish the G.C. would sub all the firestop as a separate trade under one contract; this would save a ton of paperwork and be more efficient." –
Karl Stoll, West Coast Firestopping
G:
"Working with the same subcontractor teams on job after job together. It is refreshing to know when I start a project with peers of the same caliber that we are working together, so not only do we succeed, the project succeeds.
F:
"Inexperienced supervision and management that is placed on projects by G.C.s who no longer have enough qualified participants. --
Doug Ladderbush, Rocky Coast Builders
G:
From a mechanical view, knowing that some of the installations that we perform cannot be done by just anyone. It's also great to drive around the area and realize just how many lives are touched by all of the buildings that we erect.
That
is a great feeling.
F:
There are problems that occur building after building. Ceiling space is never enough, ceilings are always too high, yet get lowered due to spatial issues with duct, electrical, hydronic, plumbing, ceiling supports, etc. Wall width -- it takes a lot to install piping in walls, yet they are rarely wide enough to accommodate until the questions are asked to get them widened. How many buildings need to be erected before the industry gets it right? --
Mike Hearne, University Mechanical & Engineering Contractors
G:
Completing projects that have major impacts and contributions to our society. When you really think about it, construction subcontractors shape the future of our society.
F:
The concern or potential for litigation, which creates a need for contractors and subcontractors to protect themselves contractually. --
Jeff Walker, ISEC
G:
Providing my team members a work environment where they are able to develop their skills, grow in our trade, and provide for their families. It's their smile of achievement that keeps me driving forward.
F:
Not having the flexibility in the labor code to allow my team to work alternative and adjusted schedules. --
John Funderberg, Black Hawk Electric
G:
Reflecting on the many projects we have worked on throughout San Diego County and the relationships we have developed with our peers and customers over the 42 years we have been in business.
F:
Change order work. Quite often, we perform the work per our contract requirements and incur the costs of material and labor, and it takes months and month to get the “formal” change order issued from the owner so that we can bill for the work. --
Kim Clark, Clark Steel Fabricators
