In episode 96 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin discusses the common issue of disputes between subcontractors and main contractors in construction projects. He explores the root causes—pressure, conflicting incentives, and poor communication—and offers practical strategies to foster collaboration, set clear expectations, and build trust. Jacob emphasises the importance of a solution-focused mindset, proactive communication, and learning from conflicts. His insights provide actionable advice for subcontractors to improve profitability, cash flow, and business growth by creating stronger, more productive relationships with main contractors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Strategies for subcontractors to enhance relationships with main contractors
- Setting clear expectations and defining scope of work
- Prioritizing effective and transparent communication
- Building trust through reliability and professionalism
- Proactive problem-solving and maintaining transparency
- Focusing on solutions rather than assigning blame during challenges
BEST MOMENTS:
"There’s a simple truth to remember here: you can’t meet an expectation you don’t know about. And the main contractor can’t read your mind about what you need either."
"Surprises are for birthday parties, not for construction projects. Halfway through a project, surprises usually equal disputes."
"Being solution focused means prioritising problem solving over finger pointing. It’s about keeping a cool head and working collaboratively to fix the issue."
"It’s hard to fight with the person who’s actively helping to solve your problems."
"People will work with people they like and trust. If you focus on being the kind of subcontractor who communicates well, delivers on their promises, and works with the main contractor to solve problems, you’ll transform the dynamic from us versus them to we’re all in this together."
Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on.
HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/
Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/
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