When it comes to the construction contracting trades, many different skill sets play integral roles in helping to bring a project to completion. It's very rare that a lead contractor or general contractor brings a project from start to finish all on their own. While general contractors have a "general" knowledge of many facets of a building project and a level of understanding of these facets that makes them capable of overseeing the project, they may not be as knowledgeable about certain trades as someone who has developed a specialty. This is where subcontractors come in. A subcontractor's job is to focus on one specific facet of a construction project.

There are as many types of subcontractors as there are building trades. In most cases, their titles give away what exactly their field of expertise is. Excavation subcontractors work to manipulate the job site, often in a way that prepares it for other operations within the project such as making a driveway, leveling the area, and excavating for a basement or foundation of the building. Next, a concrete subcontractor would potentially come in to pour the foundation or any other structural elements of the building that might require cement. Framing subcontractors and roofing and siding subcontractors work to get the skeleton structure of the building physically built. This has to happen before other subcontractors come in to cover other building necessities. Plumbing subcontractors work with the incoming and outgoing piping of the building, electrical subcontractors bring in the wiring and all electrical gear. HVAC subcontractors work on the heating and cooling features of the building. Subcontractors in the fields of carpentry, masonry, plastering, and painting are just a few of the basic subcontractors that put the finishing touches on a building or home. The subcontractor may specialize in one of these aspects or even several, depending on the job.

Certain types of subcontractors can even carry special licenses that a general contractor does not. Electrical and plumbing subcontractors, for example, hold licenses relevant to the standards of their trades. A general contractor usually does not have certifications specific to these areas of a project, so licensed professionals are brought in to make sure everything is done correctly and up to code.

If you're a general contractor, knowing which areas of your project need special attention will give you some direction on which type of subcontractor you should bring on board to work with you. It could also depend on your skill set as a general contractor. Perhaps you are trained in framing or roofing to where you can physically build the structure of the house. Maybe you're a skilled carpenter who, after overseeing the beginning phases of a building project, likes to do some of the finishing work yourself. It all depends on the job and the skills your team brings to the table as far as what subcontractors you might need to bring into the fold of the project.

Working with subcontractors can help take the pressure off of general contractors to complete certain aspects of a construction job correctly and up to coding standards. There are many types of subcontractors so no matter what skills you need to add to a project, you can almost always find a professional who can help. Ask around when dealing with a new owner or contractor. You may be able to gain enough intel to ensure that they don't have a habit of creating long periods of retainage. Otherwise, your best bet is the right amount of preparation. If you are looking for any type of assistance when it comes to construction payment, Nationwide Notice, Inc. is just for you. Not only does Nationwide Notice, Inc. assist in construction payment, but we also specialize in lien releases and change order forms. We are dedicated to assisting construction companies to protect their receivables and get the lien released based on the state's laws. Learn more about Nationwide Notice, Inc here and how we can help you - or find out all the services we provide on this page.

In order to run any business effectively, cash flow needs to be considered and respected. The same as with personal or household finance strategies, businesses need to be constantly mindful of how much money is coming and going. Most businesses would like to be doing slightly better than just breaking even but operating at a deficit is simply not sustainable. Being aware of the cash flow in your construction business will allow you to make good money managing decisions and ultimately run your business more effectively.

Utilizing Nationwide Notice, Inc. gives you more control over the lien filing process to protect your right to receive payment. A construction lien is a tool that helps to protect professionals in the construction industry from the risk of non-payment for work performed. Rules for filing a lien differ depending on the state where you operate. As a full and self-service notice and lien company, our priority is to assist our clients to secure their payments. Check out our full list of services on this page - or for more information about how lien filing software can benefit you, contact Nationwide Notice, Inc. to discuss what we can do to help you protect your receivables