7 Warning Signs to Watch for When Working with Subcontractors
Subcontractors can make a world of difference when it comes to how quickly you can complete a project. But if a problem creeps in, the back and forth with a subcontractor can drag out a project.
Making sure that you work with reliable people, whether we’re talking about a subcontractor you work with normally or another freelancer you’re bringing in just for a particular project, is important.
After all, on a project subcontractors are helping you with, you’re ultimately responsible for their work, as well as your own. If anything goes wrong, you have to fix it or take the ding to your professional reputation.
There are certain warning signs that are worth looking for, to make sure that you have the best opportunity for a smooth project. If you see any of the signs listed below, it may be worth choosing another subcontractor.
- Your subcontractor takes forever to get back to you. Just how long is too long when you’re trying to complete a project depends on your timeline. But a slow response at the beginning stages of a project could mean very bad things if you’re not sure it won’t happen near deadline.
- Your subcontractor tries to argue with you about the scope, timeline or other details of the project. I’m not talking about the freelancer that says, ‘It would be nice to have an extra day on this part of the project.’ I’m talking about the subcontractor who tries to convince you you’re doing it all wrong and wants to change major facets of the project. There are all sorts of potential problems that can grow out of that sort of situation, but don’t be surprised if a particularly argumentative subcontractor goes over your head to your client at some point.
- Your subcontractor can’t easily answer questions about the parts of the project you need her to do. You may be bringing in a newer freelancer on some projects and that’s a problem, but if you’re talking about something like a web design project and your subcontractor isn’t using the jargon of the profession — terms like CSS or content management system — step back and check if she really has the experience you need.
- Your subcontractor is uncomfortable with your contract, invoicing system or any other details of how you run your freelance business. You’re essentially the client in this situation and you set the expectations. An argument over whose contract to use, for instance, can turn into a big deal very quickly.
- Your subcontractor can’t give you examples of other projects he’s worked on. It’s not uncommon for freelancers to take on fairly wide ranges of projects, as we all know. But your subcontractor should be able to show you examples of work and, if you want them, provide references from clients he’s worked with in the past.
- Your subcontractor mixes his professional work with his personal life. You may be working with a freelancer you consider to be a friend, but no matter your relationship the rest of the time, when you’re working on a project together, you need a subcontractor who is professional.
- Your due diligence turns up anything that makes you think twice. What? You don’t check out subcontractors, at least for little projects? Even just running a couple of searches for the freelancer in question’s name, along with maybe checking out what people say about her on social media, can save you a world of trouble in the long run.
For many freelancers, subcontracting is a big shift: we’re effectively taking on the role of client with another freelancer. A good general rule is that if you wouldn’t act in a certain way towards a client, you shouldn’t tolerate that behavior in a subcontractor. Since your reputation is on the line with your client with any project a subcontractor helps you with, there’s nothing wrong with being picky about who you work with.
Don’t be afraid to consider multiple subcontractors before choosing one for a big project. Even for small projects, make sure you’re dealing with someone who will do the work right.
Photo credit: Some rights reserved by sirylok.
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“Your subcontractor tries to argue with you about the scope, timeline or other details of the project.”
Argue is strange verb to use for this one.
The client is hiring a subcontractor for one of two reasons, the client either doesn’t have the time to complete the work OR doesn’t have the knowledge to complete the project. In the second example the client may have no idea how to set the scope, requirements and timelines of the project.
A bad subcontractor is a subcontractor that doesn’t take the time to do his/her due diligence and properly go over all the details of a project. If something is out of wack they need to bring it up to the client.
If you call this practice arguing then you need to grow a thicker skin.
“Your subcontractor is uncomfortable with your contract, invoicing system or any other details of how you run your freelance business.”
It’s called negotiation. Negotiation of processes and work flow need to be made before signing the contract (whoever supplies it, which can be part of the negotiation).
A good subcontractor completely vets a project before starting. This is NOT a warning sign of a bad sub contractor. Its a sign that the subcontractor is professional and is following best practices.
If the subcontractor gives the client a “my way or the highway” statement then yes, its a warning sign, this is the sign of an unprofessional subcontractor.
@Lowkase: Seconded.
I get subcontracted and most of the time we will discuss spec, deadlines and contract details accordingly. We regularly “argue” on all aspects of a project until we come to a resolution that fits THEIR client’s needs and not only ours. That’s the bottom line.
If I can’t voice my concerns over every single step, if any, then I’d rather that client go and subcontract my competition instead.
If only the world were this clear cut. It is equally likely that the prime contractor is ineffective or incompetent.
This list almost sounds like criteria for a client to judge their own contractor. Many of the same dynamics apply: the “prime contractor” (the one closest to the client) is (legally or effectively) in the role of a client to the subcontractor. Or he is supposed to be. And his role should be to make the fact that there is a main client in the background a inconsequential fact. As a sub you should (for instance) get paid as fast as you would if you were dealing straight through to the main client. In reality the prime contractor ALWAYS has cash flow problems and pays the sub last. Etc.
I have subcontracted twice in my professional life.
The first time was to an unqualified moron with no project management skills, who believed that *my* job was to deliver 95% of the delivered value of the project while *he* scraped off >75% of the billings. The guy really was an unnecessary layer of interference to me obtaining clear information from the client.
The second time was to a guy who landed a software development project and needed a Windows programmer-head (me) to breath life into it. He did considerably better than the person in my first subcontract experience. But he was still straining to make a non transparent role (his own) seem transparent, and he also lacked management skills.
Bottom line: subcontracting is risky for everyone. It dilutes responsibility and creates distance that are both sub optimal for delivering high quality work. The main contractor MUST have great management skills (time, people and business) or else everything will fall apart.
Don
Great article. I included it in this weeks issue of Freelancing Weekly (http://freelancingweekly.com/issue-14)
I’ve subcontracted work out before, but never to anyone I don’t know personally. That said, sometimes those you know personally make the worst working relationships. I can recall once being wrong about someone’s writing ability and having to fix everything he’d written – so I’d have been better off doing it all myself anyway.
I think if I had to choose from a batch of strangers, I’d expect the same as my clients expect of me. One thing I’d likely never do is disclose the client’s information, though – it’s a contracting relationship, not really a partnership.
Worst article ever on freelance switch, sounds more like a “vent”