Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum For Those in Construction

I just gotta ask and this is a serious question not just a rant. Why in the world do subs start a job at your house, do about 20% of the work and then not show up for a week or two? Then they finally show up and do about 20% more work and they’re gone again. Why have multiple jobs open at the same time and do minimal work at each? All that does is piss off all the owners. When you start a job, why not stay until it’s finished and move on to the next?

I’m building a house and after waiting four months for brick, the brick layers worked three days last week and haven’t been back since. WTH? Is it a cash flow issue? Are you trying to drag out each job to meet your payroll? All it makes me do is cuss the owner and tell all my friends to never use them again.

The more jobs they keep "open" the more options they have.

Plus if you are just a single home builder they know they only got you for one job, whereas if they have a couple of contractors who they know they will get multiple jobs from on a continuous basis, guess who's bread stays buttered?

They probably work for other builders who have a steady stream of garden homes so thats what they prioritize. If urs is custom they do just what they are doing because the other is the bread and butter

Multi jobs going at once. They tell everyone we can start tomorrow if needed. Then once started they gotcha.

There is a chance the builders are working off the draws and may be cash poor to pay the subs - until they receive the next draw.

The brick mason that you are using is probably at a Stone Martin or D.R. Horton job site near you.

If you aren't giving them 2-3 jobs a month, they'll put you off for someone who is.

Could be one or any combination of any of the above posts. If you are the homeowner, being your own general contractor you don't take priority. They'll start then string you along. If they are good enough to do work for a high end builder , he calls, they come running.

Unfortunately, this is the answer. Good builders keep them captive with regular work and if they are smart, they pay the subs in full, on the job, the day they finish. No waiting for draws, no waiting for bank inspections, no dragging payment out 30 days. Thats how you keep subs attention. Horton and the other track builders keep a constant small stream of cash coming to them weekly but normally pay 60-90 days in arrears. Call your Mason, tell him he’s doing a great job, but you’ve absolutely got to have it finished and the day he finishes you will hand him a check for everything he’s owed, and most likely he will get you pushed up line. Cash flow is “King” to those guys.

I never did that but I rarely would worked for an individual. If a general I do 20+ jobs a year he takes priority no matter what. I always made this clear up front. Plus it’s almost impossible to make anything on a job someone contracts their self. Just too many logistical problems.

If you are a one time customer and not a builder with repeat business this is what you can expect. They're probably just filling in down time between contractors projects at your project.

I’ve got a large local builder doing my home and he has several homes under construction in and around the Auburn area. It’s not a matter of lack of work or just working on my home. I think it’s more making promises to a bunch of people that you have no intention of keeping. I guess home building subs don’t worry about repeat business.
.

Too heavy on the modellos. It’s not just home building either.

Thankfully, we’ve had zero issues with subs on our build. Everyone has showed up, worked their ass off until finished, and gone. Done a great job too. Yeah, there have been a few empty Modelo’s laying around and but I can’t blame them.

I just hope the last few months go a smooth as the first 6 have. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

How far we have fallen! JA this isn't what to expect and you are right to be pissed

What makes more sense if it’s a large local builder, is that his greed overloaded his ass and took on more jobs than he can service. He doesn’t have enough labor to service all of his existing jobs and he’s bouncing the crews and subs back and forth between all his houses trying to keep everyone off his butt. That way he can say he had people working on your job. They don’t accomplish squat but he had bodies present on the job site. Happens way more often than you think.

Dang Doc are You building the Taj Mahel😂

No. Just a modest custom home. Started March 3rd breaking ground and doing the pad. A little weather delay here and there as expected. Builder said 7-9 months so we’re pretty much on target. Wife wanted to be in before Thanksgiving but I’m thinking before Christmas. They put in septic last week.

because they are depending on the WORST labor force we've ever had to work with and it has nothing to do with pay

This is the reason I’m renovating my parents bathroom.

Hard to get folks to show up do a good job and finish the punch list in a reasonable time