Getting Great Subs

[Martin Zawarski]

I have listened to most of the podcasts. I have looked up past posts on the subject and read the threads.

The question comes up a lot on the podcasts about "how do you get good sub contractors." I keep hearing the same answer, go to Home Depot or Lowes, early in the morning and get names from the trucks at the store or even try to meet subcontractors there.

I have heard this on probably half the podcasts I listened to. So let's say I moved to a new city and I wanted to do a couple flips there and do them fast, how would I get subs immediately?

What I would do is get the Saturday or Sunday newspaper or get a local real estate guide. I would then look for new home construction sites. I would look at all types of construction types (luxury,tract, Townes, ect). I would then go to these sites and just walk around and meet subs there.

You get to see their work. Typically to work in this environment you would think they are well qualified. Most sub contractors get materials for homes from building supply houses, not Home Depot or Lowes. As a "builder" I never went to HD or Lowes looking for subs. Yes, now as a flipper/investor I use these stores for some items. But the sub contractors that typically work on my new home communities get their materials from other sources.

The building company I was with were building 150 homes a year prior to crash. And now I ventured out to be a flipper/investor, and my subs love me because of the additional work they now have. They have no problem accommodating me.

Walk a couple new home communities this week. If a salesperson question you, tell them you are looking for a new home to buy.

[Blake Shaw]

I agree @Martin Zawarski , I was trying to think of advice I could pass along to flippers from my world as a builder and you nailed it. As for finding good and reliable GCs I don't have any good solutions, but for subcontractors, look for higher volume construction happening with the type of house/finish level you are creating in your flip and talk to those subs. They have to be fast and reliable or the volume guy wouldn't use them. I have done this several times in the past when needing a new sub, I go to areas I like and look for company names and numbers on the sides of work trucks and vans at the construction sites. Take your wife for cover, go and talk to the subs, 99% of the time they would be happy to take on the extra work.