Red Flags When Hiring Sub Contractors 

I'm refreshing my skills I just t retire from 25 years of big government building inspections as a combo inspector,

Very good advice about a break down on the bid

Love your channel, just discovered today. I have been remodeling all the homes I’ve owned for the past 30 years, and I’m about to embark on a build of what I hope is my last home. In my experience getting bids for jobs has been frustrating, and I’ve never witnessed the type of professionalism described here. As a result I have often resorted to doing my own work, or having to directly supervise the job, for lack of options that meet the high standards you recommend. I have supposed over the years that it’s at least partially due to the relatively small size of remodel projects. I think self-builders generally are going to have a tougher time evaluating and managing subcontractors, which could drive up the overall project cost.

Great information!

I do love your advice here about what you have to say

such a big help sir

Thank you awesome video ! Keep doing what you are doing

Thank you so much for this information!

Have to disagree on line item bid, at least with my trade. I've been a carpenter for 45 years. The customer or GC, whichever, is purchasing the final product. Not my time, or the materials individually.

I like your advice I'm a custom home builder

Good stuff, thank you.

Thank you Keith, I’ve been watching you for a long time cause I’d like to build my next house, but as a Sub this helped me confirm my bidding process to go over the top, it doesn’t hurt to be too professional! 🤙

Great video, Keith. I can't wait for the live stream tomorrow. I want you to speak about a market update for the second half of this year

Your Chanel is growing because you are an awesome, honest and smart man. Thank you again for always sharing. Hope me and my wife can talk via phone someday. Quickly.. I outright or free and clear I own a parcel nearly 1/2 an acre in Norco, CA, corner lot with an amazing view. Our goal is to cash flow all soft-cost Topographysurvey, soil-survey, architectural and mechanical plans, building-permits etc. once all soft cost are paid then we will consider a construction loan. What’s your advice or input to our goals? Approximately 3,000-3,500 SQFT HOME THANK YOU AGAIN AHEAD OF TIME

Thank you this video is very helpful. Would it be normal to ask sub contractors for a line item cost on bids when sending or if they don't give line item bid ask then? Also is it OK to break bids into parts... example... The largest foundation contractor in my area does turnkey from excavating, footers, walls, waterproofing, backfill, and slab, but if I wanted to handle the waterproofing can I request it bid both ways. Or is that maybe a turn-off to sub contractors.

I like your style of presenting info. I’d like to build, my husband is nervous about it, mainly the money part. It’s hard to budget for a build. I’m a retired landscape designer , (smaller projects) and I understand subs and scheduling, but it’s not as complex as building a home.

So what you are saying is go with the cheapest price?

My soil guy is dragging his feet. He keeps telling us a date when he’s coming to do the dig but then he doesn’t show. Thank goodness we haven’t paid him yet.

Are there any resources you're aware of that give examples of what a complete house bid package looks like including all sub trades?

What websites can we add the bids in.

Do you have a tamplet you use for scope break down?

Keith Do have punch lists for each major step ? For example Ground prep initial Foundation Slab prep Plumbing Electrical Framing Etc… Thanks!

Hey so if I am hired on a drywall finishing job as a sub and offer the home other services that I provid, do I owe the original contractor who subbed me

Can a first timeowner builders start with a fourplex for their first deal assuming the funds are ready and theres house flipping experience in Orlando.

🛎️🙏🎯

I'm about to pull the permit for a new ADU in Southern California. As Owner-Builder, I've been incredibly busy trying to get quotes from subs. It's not uncommon to get only 2-3 quotes after beginning with a curated list of 10 subs. Their response rate is abysmal. In my case, referrals from friends or other professionals in this field have not been very helpful. In at least half of the referrals I've been given, the sub had no current license or worker's comp insurance, both of which are required here in my state. I agree with your statement about finding subs that treat their work as a professional business. Getting prompt quotes via email, in an attached pdf, using a company letterhead, and including their contractor's license, is the bare minimum to expect. Here in California we also have to be aware of the law that caps deposits at 10% or $1,000 (whichever is less), and it's crazy how even seasoned contractors will still try and ask for massive down payments. On a different residential project I was working on, I had followed all the steps to narrow down my selection of a contractor; he had good reviews, a current license, and worker's comp insurance, and responded promptly with a good paper trail. We seemed to have a good rapport, so I told him I wanted to give him the job and asked him for a contract. Shockingly, his contract asked for a $70K downpayment. I told him that amount was illegal, so he sent me an email to say he didn't want to work with me. It was back to square one.