15 ways to get the best from trades
Some people like to say that subcontractors never work for you — they do you a favour and you pay them for it. There are two main reactions to this statement. The first is a disbelieving scoff. The second is a rueful smile. Almost invariably, the first is from those who are new to self-build and the second is from those who’ve done it before.
Working with subcontractors involves a whole new way of looking at things. These are self-employed people who run their own affairs, take the knocks that come with that territory, and look after themselves.
They pride themselves in being answerable to nobody but themselves although, ultimately, the continuation of their business relies on them satisfying those who pay them. Many also pride themselves on doing a good job and the positive recommendation/word of mouth that goes hand in hand with this.
So how do you get the best out of
