Summary:

Subcontractors are licensed specialists hired by your general contractor (GC) — not by you directly — yet their performance directly affects your home, budget, and liability. Understanding how this relationship works helps you stay protected and informed.

Key Points:

• Subcontractors work under your GC’s license and insurance.

• You have the right to verify licensing, bonding, and insurance.

• Clear scope of work and lien waivers prevent legal disputes later.

Action Items:

• ✅ Request your GC’s Subcontractor List and verify each trade’s license status with your state licensing board.

• ✅ Add copies of licenses, insurance certificates, and bonds to your Digital Home Manual > Subcontractor Verification Folder.

• ✅ Confirm that all subcontractors sign lien waivers once payment is made — this protects your property from future claims.

Summary:

Every subcontractor should have a detailed written agreement defining expectations, payment schedules, warranty terms, and insurance coverage. This ensures alignment among all parties and reduces costly misunderstandings.

Essential Documents:

• Scope of Work (inclusions + exclusions)

• Start + completion dates

• Payment schedule and responsibility

• Change Order Procedures

• Warranty terms for labor and materials

• Insurance and liability coverage

• Dispute resolution process

Action Items:

✅ Ask your GC or project manager for copies of all subcontractor agreements before work begins.

✅ Store them in your Digital Home Manual > Legal Docs > Subcontractor Contracts.

✅ Highlight contract clauses about change orders and warranties for easy reference later.

Summary:

Your biggest risks during construction involve payment disputes, liens, or injury claims. Legal safeguards ensure financial transparency and prevent unwanted liability.

Protection Checklist:

• Proof of Insurance + Worker’s Compensation for every subcontractor

• Payment records with dates + amounts

• Final Lien Waivers before issuing final payment

• No direct payments to subs unless written approval exists

• Include subcontractor compliance within your main contract

Action Items:

✅ Use The Contractor Checklist’s Lien Waiver Tracker to confirm every payment is cleared before moving forward.

✅ Keep copies of all receipts and invoices in your Payment Record Folder.

✅ Add a “Subcontractor Compliance Exhibit” to your main construction contract template for future projects.

Summary:

Successful projects rely on clear, respectful communication. While subcontractors report to your GC, you should remain informed about who’s on-site and what’s happening day to day.

Best Practices:

• Maintain an updated Subcontractor Contact List (names, roles, phone numbers).

• Record progress with notes + photos in your Digital Home Manual > Field Logs.

• Report issues through your GC — never give direction directly to subcontractors, as this can blur liability lines.

Action Items:

✅ Create a shared communication log in Google Sheets or The Contractor Checklist app for tracking updates.

✅ Schedule brief weekly check-ins with your GC to review subcontractor progress and address any concerns early.

✅ Keep digital photos of milestones for reference during warranty or close-out phases.

Summary:

The Contractor Checklist is your command center for subcontractor management. It provides the templates, forms, and guidance you need to stay organized, compliant, and confident throughout your build.

Included Tools:

• Template Contracts & Legal Forms for Subcontractor Agreements

• Lien Waiver and Payment Tracking Sheets

• Communication Logs & Accountability Checklists

• Guided Sessions on Document Storage and Review

Action Items:

✅ Download the latest Subcontractor Management Toolkit from The Contractor Checklist library.

✅ Upload all subcontractor documents and verification data to your Digital Home Manual.

✅ Review the guided tutorial on “Subcontractor Accountability & Documentation Setup.”

Due Diligence is the difference between designing with confidence and building on guesswork.

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