Systems
Subcontractor Control System
Scope enforcement, readiness criteria, and daily accountability.
Definition
What Subcontractor Control means
Subcontractor Control is the habit of pre-qualifying partners, locking scope and readiness criteria before mobilizing, and tracking daily outputs against that agreement.
Examples
- Roofing sub issued a readiness checklist with photo proof before tear-off starts.
- Electrical sub signs daily production targets for rough-in before receiving next draw.
- Concrete crew required to stage backup equipment to hit pour window.
Readiness gates
- Signed scope and alternates
- Insurance, licenses, and W9 on file
- Daily production target acknowledged
- Material staging photos uploaded
Execution
Field checklist
- Check-in call the day before mobilization with readiness confirmation.
- Daily huddle with foreman: scope reaffirmation and production targets.
- Photo proof at milestones tied to payment releases.
- Variance log updated before authorizing change orders.
Pitfalls
Common failure modes
- Scheduling subs before readiness items are validated.
- Letting change orders pile up without pricing or signatures.
- Assuming quality checks happen without a named responsible person.
- Paying draws without matching production against plan.
FAQs
Quick answers
- Who owns sub readiness?
- Project manager signs off; superintendent confirms in field.
- How often do you review output?
- Daily for active subs; weekly for long-lead fabrications.
- Do you rotate subs?
- Only after a post-mortem and readiness audit—churn without process just repeats problems.
Routing