agchouston.org Summer 2025 Cornerstone 25 WHAT CAN SUBCONTRACTORS DO TO IMPROVE THEIR ODDS OF GETTING HIRED? As a sub, it’s important to understand what value means to a general contractor. When a sub understands the relationship is a two-way street and that not only are they being hired to perform a service, they’re essentially “selling” a product, it builds appreciation from the GCs. As Jay Lee, project manager for Gil- bane Building Company, puts it, “The true value of trade contractors comes from the expertise and professionalism they bring to the job. That’s why we call good trade contractors our ‘trade partners.’ When we have ‘trade partners’ on board, they help us become better general contractors.” For subcontractors looking to improve their odds of getting hired, good commu- nication is key. Many GCs say if they can’t easily get a hold of a sub over the phone, email or text, they’re more reluctant to hire them, as it could be a sign that the sub won’t be able to stick to the GC’s sched- ule, or that the GC won’t have priority in the sub’s timeline. Instead, subs should be proactive in their communication with GCs and provide clear, courteous and timely updates. Furthermore, Lee emphasizes the importance of networking in the con- struction industry for subs wanting to increase their odds of getting hired. “Trade contractors will need to get involved with local AGC or ABC organizations to get their names out there and make an effort to get to know people in the industry,” says Lee. “We tend to gravitate toward working with those we already know.” According to Project Manager and Dry- wall Estimator for Marek Brothers System LLC, Matt Gressler, success is often found in anticipating the needs of the GC or a project and being memorable for what you know and how you present it. “Do your homework, do your research and show transparency,” Gressler states. “Show your desire to work with the team and to work on the project. That will be respected, even if your numbers don’t align with what the GC wants. You might not get that specific project, but people will remember you for future work.” Similarly, one easy way subs can improve their odds of being hired is to simply read through the scope sheet pro- vided by a GC and to read it thoroughly. “Our company spells out everything we’re looking for, and it’s surprising how many don’t bother to go through those documents,” shares Jordan Attar, precon- struction manager for McCarthy Build- ing Companies, Inc. A sub who reviews everything and responds thoughtfully will usually have a leg up on the competition. “We plan projects from a macro, global level. And, when we dive into the micro, we need the sub to be up to speed for the project to be successful.” Ultimately, subs will benefit most from establishing strong reputations by act- ing as trustworthy, reliable teammates on jobs or projects they’re involved in. “The teamwork between subs, GCs, and others on the jobsite is critical,” Gressler recommends. “The respect people give each other and the way people help each other in our industry is a sight to see. The construction industry is like a family for people who want to work hard and learn.” multiple scopes of work, and splitting specialties up among different providers is the way to go in those situations. While this may ultimately result in additional scheduling work for the GC, it allows the builder to know who exactly owns each role. 5. They’re Honest, Have Integrity and Do What They Say They’re Going to Do There’s a reason for the well-known adage “honesty is the best policy.” Gressler uses it as a rule of thumb and hopes his honesty with others ensures their reciprocal honesty with him. “I have seen it returned tenfold in our industry,” Gressler says. “If you’re honest, your job will be easier, people will trust you, you will have opportunities that you would not have had before.” On the other hand, Attar says to be cautious of communication that feels too much like a sales pitch. Trade partners looking to win the project may want to please the GC by assuring them they’ll deliver on every detail with no problems. Ultimately, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. “In our industry, ‘yes men’ are not desirable because they’re not taking into account the full spectrum of items that are required for certain work categories,” Attar adds. Many times, hiring these types of partners results in additional costs down the road, as they don’t fully understand the needs until after they’ve gotten involved in a project — something they should have taken into account before they started. Attar believes that, in the construction industry, you can’t work without honesty and integrity. “If you don’t have integrity, you’re going to quickly lose the respect of your colleagues, your team, your cli- ent and your trade partners, and that will devastate your project’s success,” he explains. Overall, finding an exceptional sub- contractor isn’t too difficult if you simply know what key qualities to keep an eye out for. Often, the basic concepts of being trustworthy with a solid reputa- tion, communicating effectively and on time, aligning with a project’s financial and fundamental expectations, having experience and expertise in a specific trade and taking pride in a job well done all add up to a successful sub who sticks around to build a solid future. TIP: Focus on honesty, loyalty, communication and connections.
