Subcontractors vs Direct Labor
Would you consider hiring subcontractors instead of hiring direct labor when talent is hard to find in your local market? My business has had a lot of success partnering with other companies to complete specific projects. In our service area, the collective workload exceeds the workforce so there is a general sense of camaraderie vs competition. What are you seeing and what has worked in your business?Hiring the Right People!
Finding and Keeping Skilled Workers in the Trades Finding good help is tough, especially in the trades. What’s your approach to hiring people who not only have the skills, but also fit well with your team? And once you’ve got the right people, how do you keep them motivated and loyal to your business? Let’s talk about hiring techniques and retention.
Paying Subs
I'm starting a home services technician/handyman business in my local area for those really small jobs that general contractors don't typically take on. I'd like to initially hire subs for the work where I share a percentage of the profits with them per job. For those using this model, what percentage seems fair in terms of compensation 60/40, 50/50, or some other type of profit split?
Commission Based Pay?
Hey guys! Wondering if anyone here has experience with paying employees commission instead of hourly. How is that working for you guys? How do you have it set up to where you’re making the profit you need and the employee is happy and motivated to work hard? At what percentage do you pay? Thanks!Onbaording Software for new hires
I am in the process of hiring for my residential cleaning business. Is there any software that is like a database for keeping track of employees? I saw a software by Pipehire. I like the platform, but when I called to inquire I was not happy with how the person answered the phone. Made me question if it was legit or not. I am new at hiring so I just wanted to make sure I doing the process correctly and having a software with checklist to keep track would be helpful.
Hiring early? Benefit or hinderance?
Is it more effective to hire during the slow season, allowing ample time for thorough training while accepting the risk of reduced working hours for new team members, or is it better to focus on hiring quickly during the busy season to meet immediate demand but potentially sacrifice the depth of training? What factors, such as employee retention, operational efficiency, and service quality, should be prioritized in making this decision?
Need advice on scaling
Hi everyone need some advice. The phone has been ringing off the hook and I just can’t keep up with all the work coming my way. I’m a small one man operation and full time firefighter looking to add a couple guys to my operation. any tips would help on how to properly go about expanding. Thank you guys!What Features Would Be Helpful for Dealing with Subcontractors on Your Team?
Subcontractors can be a powerful way to grow your service business—but managing them smoothly takes the right tools. From scheduling to paperwork to payments, things can get complicated fast if you're relying on spreadsheets or text threads. Here are a few key ideas to kick off the conversation: Insurance Certificate Tracking + Expiration Reminders Making sure your subcontractors are insured is a no-brainer—but keeping track of their certificates and renewal dates can be a hassle. A built-in feature that stores insurance docs and sends automatic reminders before they expire would help keep your business protected and organized. Built-in Payment Processing for Subcontractors Paying subs quickly and clearly is essential for maintaining good relationships. Imagine being able to approve their invoices and process payments right through Jobber—no more chasing emails or juggling payment apps. Subcontractor Availability Scheduling Knowing when your subs are available is half the battle. A shared calendar where subcontractors can input their availability would make job assignment way easier and help avoid scheduling conflicts before they happen. What would you like to see added to help manage subcontractors better? Drop your ideas in the comments—👇
