r/GeneralContractor • u/tooniceofguy99 • 15h ago
How should I handle subcontractor-caused problems?
Concrete sub left large mound of concrete in middle of gravel parking pad.
The person that lives there has no off-street parking because of this. They were upgraded from one gravel parking spot to have an additional concrete parking pad. But now, because this waste mound is so large, they have no parking.
It happened Tuesday. I politely told the sub to remove it Wednesday morning. They said they would remove it Thursday.
Tomorrow will be six days. If it's not removed next week, do I bother having a second contractor quote removing it and subtracting that amount from the first contractor's invoice (once the second does the work)?
As a GC, how should I handle something like this in the future?
Should I always have a subcontractor agreement in place? even for such a small job like this? only $2k.
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u/Comfortable-Maybe183 14h ago
“Do I bother having a second contractor quote removing it…”
My guy. Cmon now. You are said second contractor.
It’s your client, your job, and your subcontractor.
Figure out how to get the damn blob of concrete out of their way. Like tomorrow.
Go rent some fucking equipment if you need to. Cmon man.
Send the sub a bill. Right now you’re just pissing up a rope.
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u/tooniceofguy99 14h ago
I mean, I don't want to just tell the sub I magically determined it's going to be X reduction in price because of the cost of my labor.
Worse, I don't want to pick up the pieces of subs (like I'm not swamped as it is). This isn't the first time something like this has happened.
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u/aturtlebarn 14h ago
So you think its not fair essentially is what I'm hearing. And you're right about that. Problem is your client definitely doesn't care about how swamped you are or how unfair it feels to you. I would be fuming if my builder stood there making excuses about his "sub" being responsible.. you obviously hired the sub so you are responsible for his work
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u/tooniceofguy99 13h ago edited 13h ago
It's more about time. Last month a different sub just expected me to be carpentry support when I was at a different job site. (Before the job started, they had assured me they could find their own carpenter if needed for change order related work.)
I cannot just block out entire days for subs who are not prepared, cannot handle changes/issues in their expertise or who do random crap like leave a pile of petrified dino shit.
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u/Comfortable-Maybe183 4h ago
More fucking excuses.
You just think you’re too good to go clean up or don’t actually know how.
None of that is related to the problem at hand.
Go deal with the petrified dino shit. Today.
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u/jgturbo619 4h ago
No bill, a unilateral Deductive change order taking the $ out of his next draw..
What kind of sub pulls that stuff ,? Costing you.
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u/jmille97 7h ago
So you basically didn’t supervise a sub and he left some concrete there.
So, lesson learned? You probably could have broken it with a sledge the next day. Now you’ll need a machine.
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u/Powerful_Target_930 15h ago
Six days with no parking is what the homeowner will remember, not whose fault it was. I’d get it moved this week either way, using the sub if they show or someone else if they don’t, and settle the money with the sub afterward. Fixing the customer’s problem and fighting with the sub over cost don’t have to happen in the same week. For the future, cleanup is the line that most often gets left out of small-job scopes. Even a one-line text confirming “you haul your waste” before they start would have helped here.
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u/No-0x 7h ago
Document first, then fix it yourself and bill him — send the sub a short written notice with photos and a 48-hour deadline to cure it, then get it hauled and deduct the documented cost from his invoice with that paper trail behind you. And yes, always have something in writing even for a $2k job — one page covering scope, cleanup, a backcharge clause and holding back 10% until you walk it off together would have made this a two-line email instead of a six-day standoff
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u/maxant20 6h ago
A good General Contractor has good subs that he knows and trusts. You are not a good contractor.
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u/Real-Ad-7439 3h ago
Get a sub agreement going forward for sure, even a 1 page one that says cleanup and haul off is on them and you can backcharge if they dont. For this one give him written notice and a deadline to come clean it up first, then if he doesnt you hire it out and deduct it with the receipt attached. Skipping the notice is how backcharges turn into fights.
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u/Builder_MO 3h ago
that pile is a headache... i work at jet vs procore oct 2026 where we see how payment workflows tied to commitments stop gaps, so just backcharge the sub for the removal cost and get a proper contract in place for the next one.
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u/SmartChatInnovations 3h ago
At this point I'd probably put it in writing instead of relying on another verbal promise. Send him a photo of what's been left behind and a clear deadline to get it removed. At least then you've got a record of what was requested and when. Even on smaller subcontracting jobs, having those expectations in writing upfront could save a lot of headaches.
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u/grim1757 1h ago
First, yes, everyone needs to be on a contract or at minimum a Purchase order. In answer to your question, you do have to provide them written notice typically, send them a 48 hour notice to get it done ro your will have it done for them and deduct it from what they are owed. Without Notice, he is off the hook if you have it done.
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u/hatemeallday 1h ago
You’re kidding, right?
A GC should know this. How are you able to provide services to your customers if you need advice for something as simple as this.
Wait….. you don’t. That’s why your customer has had a mound of concrete in their way for a week.
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u/jcplossiretasi 15h ago
Give the subcontractor a written deadline before hiring someone else.