r/GeneralContractor

I’m looking for honest feedback from GCs or PMs who deal with subcontractor paperwork.

I’m in Orange County and I recently built a simple tool called SubReady after seeing how annoying it can be to track COIs, workers’ comp, W-9s, license status, and expiration dates across subs.

It sends reminders 30/14/7 days before expiration, gives a pay/hold view before payment, checks CSLB license status, and lets you email a pay/hold report to a bookkeeper. It also reads uploaded COIs/workers’ comp docs and pulls the carrier, policy number, and expiration date so there is less manual entry.

I’m not trying to sell anyone here. The free version has the same features as the paid version, just capped at 5 subs. So I’m not really looking for anyone to pay right now — I’m mainly trying to get feedback on whether this is actually useful, what features are missing, and what should be removed, what is actually useful vs. unnecessary.

If you handle sub compliance, what would you add, remove, or change?

Is pay/hold useful?
Are expiration reminders enough?
Would you want BILL.com, QuickBooks, or email-only reports?
What would make this worth using instead of spreadsheets?

Happy to share the link if anyone wants to test it
Thank you for reading I know y’all are busy people but i would really appreciate any feedback good or bad.

Looking for a Semi-retired, Louisiana-licensed Residential General Contractor looking for a part-time position to qualify our Company for a State of LA residential and commercial licenses. Is there a community or site where I can connect with QAs? Note: While not being semi-retired is not a deal breaker, it would be good. Contractor Talk does not seem to be as active for LA community...Looking for either QA services that could include mentorship (via semi-retired QA). Must include document signing and notarization of permits and documents, ensuring quality of sub work, etc.

'll keep this straight with you because this crowd can smell a pitch from a mile off.

I built a small web app for pool service folks. You type in a pool part and it gives you two things: the MSRP, and right next to it an estimated distributor cost to you as the pro. The estimate isn't pulled from anyone's secret pricing sheet, it's calculated per item, since the markup on a pump isn't the same as the markup on a fitting or a salt cell. The point is that when you're standing in someone's backyard you've got both numbers in front of you and you can quote the homeowner accordingly instead of guessing or calling the counter. That's the whole thing. It's free, there's no account wall, no free trial that bills you in 30 days, nothing to buy.

I'm not going to pretend the estimate is going to nail everyone's exact cost. What you actually pay depends on your distributor, your volume, and your region, and no calculator is going to know your specific account pricing. The estimate is meant to get you in the right ballpark fast. That's actually the main reason I'm posting. I want people who quote parts every day to run their real numbers against it and tell me where the estimate is off, what parts it's missing, and whether it's close enough to be useful or so far off it's worthless. Brutal feedback helps me more than polite feedback.

A few honest answers up front, since I'd ask the same things:

• I'm not selling your data and there's nothing to sign up for to try it.
• The cost number is an estimate from a per-item calculation, not a leaked distributor price list, so nobody's account info is involved.
• If this turns into something paid down the road I'll be upfront about it, but right now I genuinely just need real techs to break it.
• If it's garbage, tell me it's garbage and why. That's useful too.

If you're up for it, I'll drop the link in a comment (or DM me, whatever the sub rules prefer) and I'd love to hear what's wrong with it. Especially interested in hearing from anyone doing a lot of residential service calls where you're quoting parts on the spot.

Thanks for reading. Happy to answer anything in the comments. No self promo intended.

What does everyone do when a customer breaks a contract on payments? My contract states 20% down payment, 40% once the ceiling is installed then the remaining 40% once the trim and finish work is done. The ceiling has been installed for over a month now with no payment for it and the customer keeps saying it’s not done because the trim isn’t finished on it and keeps saying I don’t care what the contract says I’m not paying until it’s done.

I'll keep this straight with you because this crowd can smell a pitch from a mile off. I built a small web app for pool service folks. You type in a pool part and it gives you two things: the MSRP, and right next to it an estimated distributor cost to you as the pro. The estimate isn't pulled from anyone's secret pricing sheet, it's calculated per item, since the markup on a pump isn't the same as the markup on a fitting or a salt cell. The point is that when you're standing in someone's backyard you've got both numbers in front of you and you can quote the homeowner accordingly instead of guessing or calling the counter. That's the whole thing. It's free, there's no account wall, no free trial that bills you in 30 days, nothing to buy. I'm not going to pretend the estimate is going to nail everyone's exact cost. What you actually pay depends on your distributor, your volume, and your region, and no calculator is going to know your specific account pricing. The estimate is meant to get you in the right ballpark fast. That's actually the main reason I'm posting. I want people who quote parts every day to run their real numbers against it and tell me where the estimate is off, what parts it's missing, and whether it's close enough to be useful or so far off it's worthless. This could be pivoted to any construction vertical we just wanted to try pools first, runs in the family. Brutal feedback helps me more than polite feedback. A few honest answers up front, since I'd ask the same things:

• I'm not selling your data and there's nothing to sign up for to try it.
• The cost number is an estimate from a per-item calculation, not a leaked distributor price list, so nobody's account info is involved.
• If this turns into something paid down the road I'll be upfront about it, but right now I genuinely just need real techs to break it.
• If it's garbage, tell me it's garbage and why. That's useful too. If you're up for it, I'll drop the link in a comment (or DM me, whatever the sub rules prefer) and I'd love to hear what's wrong with it. Especially interested in hearing from anyone doing a lot of residential service calls where you're quoting parts on the spot. Thanks for reading. Happy to answer anything in the comments.

If so, do you like it? Do you recommend using it? Pros / Cons? Thank you in advance.

I work for a mid size GC in the healthcare renovation space and doors and hardware is always such a tedious process. we sub out the installation to a trade partner but there is always this nagging feeling of how to best perform QA/QC. How do y’all typical track all the parts and pieces and make sure in-wall rough in is correct for all of the doors and that all of the right pieces are installed?

TL;DR: PA wants to be more PM-y, learning on my own and looking for reading on specific topics listed below. Body text is mostly background/a vent.

I work as the PA (project admin) for a small custom home & reno GC in the Midwest. I'm in my 30's and I came into construction after a 10 year career in an adjacent blue-collar industry. In my previous role, I was similar to a PA, but I also was the first point of contact for my clients/prospective clients. My boss immediately started training me like our technicians would be, including actual site work and licensing. The idea was if I could answer 80% of the questions or concerns that came in, it saved on actual labor. I loved it, became very good at it, and now I'm realizing how spoiled I was.

My current employer is great. We're constantly busy, we have an excellent reputation, and since we mostly work in high-end I get to see some really cool stuff. I handle pre-construction for all of our projects; I order all the finishes, fixtures, doors, cabinetry, everything you'd want to have on hand before project start. I also act as a meat shield between my clients and my subs/vendors. Pull permits, organize POs, OSHA/Lead compliance, "duties as assigned". I had no background in ANY of this 3-ish years ago, and I've done pretty well. Steady raises, happy clients, good working relationships with my coworkers and subs. I think I've shown I can learn, ask good questions, and have genuine interest.

The entire 3 years, my supe and boss have both made promises to get me into the field more. My biggest hang-up is that I don't actually have a fucking clue how things are built. My only true mistakes have been "oddball" situations, but instead of explaining why something is different, showing me how to account for it, etc., they just fix it and I don't generally even know until after the fact. Everyone is so busy here that they can't or won't take the time to drag me with. I truly do not believe they're intentionally doing it- there's just always a fire to be put out and I already have a shit ton to do. I'm just tired of feeling stupid- or like wallpaper- when technical conversations are going on around me.

I've ordered the Fundamentals of Residential Carpentry from the sidebar, but I'm really desperate for more immersion. I also have picked up "Architecture; Reference and Specification Book" by McMorrough and "The Complete Visual Guide to Building a House" from a goodwill bin. Podcasts are fine, but I would prefer whatever I'm reading/listening/watching to take an almost textbook approach to the topic. I have a Kindle/Kindle Unlimited, so bonus points if I can digitally read it.

Things I really want a better understanding of:

• flashing & counterflashing, especially for windows.
• a breakdown of the basics of cabinetry. I design whole sets for Amish folk but don't understand how they go together
• windows & doors- setting them, adding/removing them to an existing opening or wall, explanations on jambs and brickmould/trim, etc.
• A ELI5 guide/handbook on the basics of plumbing, electric and HVAC (doesn't have to be all in one)
• Weatherproofing/passive homes. We specialize in "tight" and passive homes, and I can't really give a good explanation on what goes into that.
• I'm computer savvy and would like to teach myself how to do our drawings/blueprints- mostly floorplans and sometimes elevations. I have a smidge of familiarity with SoftPlan and CAD, but since I'm not a student I don't qualify for learning licenses. "Free" software that I've found is severely limited and I don't want to spend my own money until I see if I have the hang of it.

If you made it this far, thanks. I love what I'm doing and where I'm doing it at, and I know there's a lot to learn within my own role still. But these things make me feel frustrated and stupid, and I don't like to tell people I work "in construction" because it feels like some sort of stolen valor.

As someone with 5 years construction/electrical experience and 1 year being a lead foreman position I’m curious to know if anyone has landed a construction management position with no degree and just experience in something like assistant pm,project engineer,assistant super or construction coordinator ? Im thinking of going to get an AS in construction management but also thinking if I could get a good starting position with a GC with room to grow it may be in my better interest to just go start working with them and get more experience but on the management side,My end goal is to get my GC license which as of right now I have 3 years working under a GC/CBC,In FL you need 4 years total working under those licenses and 1 of those years being a super or Foreman position so I’m not very far off from being qualified for the test,Let me know your thoughts it would be much appreciated! Just an end thought (I’m currently having my resume made by a professional company that specializes in construction resumes so I’m hoping for them to make it sound and look very appealing)Thanks everyone!

Especially If you’re just starting out as a handyman, these are the best online tools to use for getting leads/referrals

1. Google Business Profile — free, local, and probably the most important one. Get reviews fast.
2. Google Local Services Ads — good once you’re ready to pay for serious local leads.
3. Thumbtack — can work well for getting early jobs, but watch your lead costs.
4. Nextdoor — underrated for neighborhood trust and word-of-mouth.
5. Taskrabbit — good for small jobs like mounting, assembly, minor repairs, etc.
6. Facebook local groups — still works if you post like a real person and don’t spam.
7. TradePassApp — useful as a digital business card / simple landing page so people can save your info, request quotes, and refer you after the job.

Never rely on just one platform... Use Google/marketplaces to get found, a good lead gen source, then something like a digital card, reviews, and follow-ups to turn one job into repeat work and referrals.

For the contractors- is it possible to remove the existing siding (it’s brand new), install rigid insulation, then re-install the same siding? If this is a stupid question- please excuse me 🤦‍♂️

Hi all, I am looking into getting my general contractors license in California (in the Bay Area specifically). My dad has had a General Contracting license in CA for over 25 year, so I have worked with him on and off throughout my lifetime. I have now been living with them again for the past 4 years while helping him with various projects around their home, as well as some client projects. (Installing a couple windows, sliding glass door, a couple decks, dry wall, siding panels, hard wood flooring, tile, etc) We both feel that I have the experience to start working on getting a general contractors license through the state, but due to poor record keeping, I am a little worried about the work experience portion.

Outside of permits what kind of documentation could we need to put together for the experience portion of the application? Currently I have a record of most of the work that we have done in a Google Sheet, and some in notes on my phone (working on documenting all the work). My dad seems to think that since he is already a contractor and I am related, that we can fill out some paper work under his license to get approved easier.

TL;DR Looking to get into general contracting, dad seems to think bloodline takes into account for it.

Hey everyone,

I recently passed all three exams to become a CGC in Florida but I only have the experience to qualify for the building contractor license so that’s what I will be applying for. The way I understand it is I can upgrade it to the general after 4 years.

I hear everyone talk how picky the state is and how the application has to be worded exactly how they want it etc……everyone I have talked to has paid a company to fill out and submit the application to the state for them. I called a couple places and they range from $800-$1,500. For that price id like to try and do it myself, I printed the application off the DBPR website and it seems pretty straightforward credit report for me personally and the company, fingerprints, and the employment history page where I list my 4 years of experience.

Ive been working for a CGC for the last 6 years since I’ve been out of high school so the work is real and verifiable. Ive made a list of jobs I have been on with the addresses and dates and what was done on the jobs, Some commercial and some residential, the way I understand it you can use both residential and commercial experience to qualify for the building contractor license.

Has anyone submitted the application themselves? Did it cause any delays? Should I just bit the bullet and pay to have a reputable company submit it for me?

Any pointers is much appreciated

We currently gift our clients a box of locally baked cookies as a thank you for allowing us to do their job. Nothing is branded, but I'm working on that.

I'm looking for "swag" idea that are compact that can get put into the box with the cookies (they are individually wrapped) Clients ready get a pen and a folder when we complete an assessment. I don't just want it to be a junk drawer item and also not break the bank. If anyone has interesting ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Does everyone think this is not really an issue they need to focus on?