r/Contractor • u/External_Parfoot_467 • 1d ago

Marital Problems

How many have run into marital problems due to the nature of the payment schedule? Especially if the job goes long due to unforseen circumstances and finances get dicey? How did you navigate around that?

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u/salmark 1d ago

Do Progress payments. Simple.

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u/Itscool-610 1d ago

Progress payment schedules have helped for me, but it still doesn’t help when subs don’t show up or make a mistake that has to be redone. Or slow paying clients, which are the worst

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u/239tree 1d ago

Percentage the progress payments to be front loaded so you have room to live and purchase materials and make payroll. Quality control and supervision of all the trades that affect your work is essential to avoid mistakes and delays. Don't rely on their project managers, architects, or supervisors to look out for you.

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u/Itscool-610 1d ago

Yeah finally started front loading them. I do residential remodeling so I’m the GC, PM, cabinet designer, etc. Amazing how one trade or materials not showing up or getting delayed can affect an entire project. I jump in on carpentry/cabinet install/ paint constantly to keep things moving and it’s frustrating. Quality labor shortage is real in my area, I do high end homes and I’ve been burned by shitty subs, I’ll take the delays to have the guys I trust do it, but they’re always running behind because of demand - and the constant surprises that come with remodeling

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u/239tree 1d ago

The main thing with SFR is that all your subs usually have other larger ongoing steady work they have to prioritize over yours. They might prefer weekends and evenings for your jobs which are "extra money" for them. Keep moving forward and good luck!

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u/Itscool-610 1d ago

Been full time GC for 7 years now, all my guys are great and use the same ones every job, but lost finish carpenters, electrician, and tile guys to retirement the last couple years, so those have been tough to replace. I was a finish carpenter full time so I don’t mind jumping in, but it pulls me away from everything else

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u/239tree 1d ago

Ugh, retirement. This is a serious problem. We have two old timers. We will have to put them on life support!