By Daniel McJunkin, Owner of Residential Estimating Service

Hiring a construction trade sounds a lot easier than it really is.  In fact, today many that work in construction can pass themselves off as a trade.  However, if you’re not cardful, they can screw up more than you know before you figure it out and fire them.

So how can you find a good construction trade?

1. Ask for referrals from other builders.  These days, just about everyone in construction is willing to share their trades with you.  The reason is that it’s better for a builder to keep his trades busy – even with the ‘competition’ than to see them go out of business and lose them forever.  So, if you know someone in the building business, and if you’re here, you probably do, don’t be shy.
2. “Troll for Trades”.  I used to do this years ago while looking for trades: bricklayers, painters, framers, etc.  The premise is simple: if your competition thinks a trade is worth using, you might like to use them as well.  So, make it a regular practice to visit communities in your area where homes are being built and begin meeting the workers you find ther and start taking names.
3. Ask area suppliers who they would recommend.  Ok, this one may be a bit questionable – considering the supplier will likely suggest his favorite customer without knowing the quality of their work.  But, the fact that the supplier has done business with a particular trade for a while has to say something – at least that they pay their bills and have been around for a while.
4. Check our HoustonBuilders.com (yes, it’s a shameless plug).

What should you avoid?

1. The Yellow Pages.  Why?  Trades don’t advertise there.  If you go to the Yellow Pages, you may find a few trades, but you’re more likely to find turnkey vendors.  Builders avoid many turnkey vendors because they add cost without adding value – at least where most builders are concerned.  For example, a builder might hire a turnkey roofer to make things easier, but they come at a cost.  The turnkey roofer has a different cost/profit structure than does a roofing labor trade.
2. Hiring Friends and Family.  Why?  You should remain objective to make sure you get the best job possible from your trades.  Friendships cloud your judgement and cost too much.  If you hire a friend, you might think you’re going to get a better deal, but your friend will likely think he’ll get paid more and that you won’t take competitive bids.  At the end of the day, when you have to hold your friend’s feet to the fire, you’ll likely lose a friend and pay too much fixing their work.
3. Trade Schools.  Ok, there may be a trade school available near you with a group of willing students that will work cheap.  Why should you avoid hiring them?  They’re not profit motivated, they will not work a full day, they don’t offer a warranty, they can waste your time, money and materials. 

At the end of the day, think of hiring trades as building a machine.  You want to build a lean and effecient machine that you can rely on to build your projects quickly and cost-effectively.

Daniel McJunkin is a construction consultant and estimator with over 30 years experience in the construction industry in Houston, TX.  His company, Residential Estimating Service provides lumber takeoff estimates and construction consulting services coast to coast.  Call 281-346-2462 to learn what Residential Estimating Service can do for you or visit their website at http://www.lumbertakeoff.com.