General contractors have the responsibility of providing a high quality structure which meets the client’s cost and scheduling requirements while managing the contributions of the trades, but how do you deliver exceptional service and products when many subcontracts are awarded to the lowest priced bidder? Your job may be given to a subcontractor who cannot adequately perform the project or worse, cannot complete the project at all due to financial instability.
Subcontractors may turn in aggressively low bids simply because they are in financial crisis and need the work, assuming that a new project will help them stay afloat. This not only jeopardizes the quality of the project for the general contractor but also places undue stress on the other trades. Without sufficient resources, both financial and human, subcontractors cannot:
- Man the project with the right number of qualified people
- Give proper attention to safety
- Meet agreed upon schedules
- Avoid delivery delays
- Manage the jobsite
While low cost bidders may help you be more competitive initially, they can create more problems than they are worth in the long run. Project managers must worry about blown schedules, unpaid vendors, and excessive change orders. Worst case scenario, the sub cannot complete the job, leaving the GC facing liquidated damages and scrambling to find a suitable replacement who is willing to take on someone else’s problem. Unfortunately, we hear about this happening more and more.
When the economic climate is unpredictable, trusted subcontractors with whom you have built solid relationships become your go-to resource. BCH, for example, has been called upon several times in the past few years to assume contracts for projects on which a mechanical subcontractor has defaulted. While stepping in and working with a low cost bidder’s project standard is not optimal for our team, we are glad to help GCs with whom we have had the pleasure of working for more than thirty years.
Our financial stability speaks for itself. With single project bonding limits of up to $75,000,000 and extensive experience in commercial construction, BCH Mechanical has the resources to make your project management team and our fellow subcontractors feel confident in our ability to complete a project on-time and on-budget. Also, our talent is second to none. With over 400 trained, experienced team members motivated to exceed expectations, we are more than capable of helping you achieve your client’s goals with no surprises.
Pick up the phone and call a BCH team member if you have a key project coming up. We can provide you with references from satisfied clients, suppliers, and vendors, as well as our surety company. We have a lot to offer and would be pleased to join your team.
BCH Mechanical has been a trusted name in Florida construction since 1976, delivering innovative design, high quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service. BCH capabilities include HVAC, plumbing, medical gas, piping, sheet metal, LEED, Design/Build, 3D-CAD/BIM coordination, and HVAC service. Visit BCH on the web: www.bchmechanical.com.