We have 6 subs full time and it's burned us a few times. We go behind them on ~25% of jobs. We just got CompanyCam and that'll help operationally. But, I am considering going the employee route and paying hourly.
What do you feel works best -- to maximize profitability, ensure quality, and reduce headaches?
This is a big decision and honestly one Rich Camacho would have a lot to say about. He's in the community this week answering hiring and recruitment questions. The employee vs. sub debate is very much in his wheelhouse! Worth dropping your question there:
Ask-an-Expert: Want advice on Job Posts, Interviews, Training, or Retention...send them!
Looking forward to hearing from other owners in this thread
I personally prefer subcontractors because of the flexibility, scalability, and lower overhead they can provide. They can be a great option for growth and taking on additional work without immediately increasing payroll responsibilities. However, I also agree that if quality issues or recurring problems start becoming common, more direct control may be necessary. At that point, moving toward employees can make sense because it allows for stronger training, accountability, consistency, and the ability to build a team around your company standards. I also believe systems play a major role tools like inspections, photos, checklists, and clear expectations can help improve quality regardless of which route is used.
