General contractors are increasingly pushing risk onto subcontractors, performing only project management or design/build services, rather than the historical model of providing materials, equipment and labor.
As a result, subcontractors today need to be diligent to ensure their business is protected from unknown contract requirements, design changes and adjustments to the project schedule.“It’s always about communication and setting up realistic expectations,” says Steve Groth, vice president of Chiaramonte Construction Company, a Washington, D.C.-based contractor.Despite a growing reliance on project management software, conflicts persist.“Having a good foundation is the best place to start,” says Courtney Little, president of the American Subcontractors Association and owner of
