@Michael NotoRight on. Being a rather green GC myself, I can already see getting stuck in my own ways and often thinking 'that client has no clue what they're talking about'. Everyone only knows what they know and we can all be stubborn. Schedule delays are an area that may require some tactful finesse.
You have to recognize the character/attitude (as Michael said) of your GC, just as I have to recognize the character within my subs. Maybe look into hiring someone you jive with better next time. Maybe next time find the GC you don't mind or fear saying 'WHAT THE...!?' to him, knowing that he can take it and return with a response that is both constructive and professional.
@Karen Lindstrom In the meantime you still have that GC to motivate before you reconsider working with him again. This is a method I have taken when working with my subs who are delaying. There is a lot to read between the lines and it really comes down to your effectiveness in communication and persuasion:
1) Accepting Your Own Mistakes:
Start an honest discussion, maybe accepting some responsibility at first for whatever you may have done that caused a hiccup in the project (no matter how small or insignificant it is in comparison to their delays or mistakes).
2) Offering Help:
Then ask 'What can I do to help out?' offering to do some leg work on orders or maybe clarifying an RFI or something with the architect. Just something small is fine.
3) Let Them Call the Shots:
Next, ask him 'While I'm working on that order and the RFI for you, and if you had a week, could you write up a schedule of the remaining milestones?' Don't approach penalties attached to those milestones in this first conversation.
4) Friendly Reminder:
Follow up a few days before you are to meet about the schedule and ask if your meeting is still on to review it (give him a chance to write it up, because he will likely wait until the day before).
5) Finalizing Schedule:
While reviewing the schedule, add a few days to a milestone here and there to show that you are giving grace periods to them. If you don't agree with how long something will take, ask their opinion why it will take so long and maybe verbalize that you just don't understand everything that goes into a particular phase. After hearing them out then ask if they are really sure there is no way to reduce it.
6) Post the Schedule
Both of you sign on the schedule, post it on the front door and mark off the days that have passed since your last visit (Notice **days**, plural, more below).
**Bonus Item if you're feeling chipper** Bring them donuts or a sandwich now and again, because your $20 spent on lunch will return happy, better quality, harder workers.
7) Missing the Mark
If they miss a milestone, ask them only then if you need to establish penalties. They will likely recognize that they are the ones who missed the milestone date that THEY set, and likely correct course. Just as @Steven J. pointed out.
8) Backup Plan
While all of this is going on, maybe start talking with some other GCs, maybe start some conversations with other BP members to find investor friendly types in your area. Have an established relationship with a GC so that if you have to you can break and settle contract with the failing GC and not miss a beat moving on to the next. (breaking a contract clean and quickly requires another long winded post... won't go there for now :)
As a final insight and a definite no-no, as repeated by many homeowners/investors... don't do daily site visits or spend hours on end on the job site. Although you own the property contractors want own their work. If the owner is onsite constantly they/you will find more to worry about, causing more chaos. Construction is like child birth, you definitely don't want to know everything that happens during labor. The difference is you inherently trust just about any doctor, but you have to find a GC you trust.
