How does a landscape designer ensure a prosperous and beneficial relationship once you've found a quality sub-contractor? Fortunately this doesn't have to be difficult. Just follow these 9 important steps.

9. Have the project site prepared for the contractor

Our sub-contractors want to run efficiently just like we do. Respect this and ensure the site is ready for them to begin their work.

This can include having materials on site, any staking and tagging that needs to be done and other trades out of the way.

8. Nurture the relationship beyond the project site

Building a positive and friendly relationship beyond your businesses can lead to trust and respect which carries over to the project site.

There are many ways to foster a positive relationship. You can take the contractor to lunch or coffee, take them to a baseball game, etc. I've heard of many companies who have an annual "contractor appreciation" party.

7. Present opportunities to bid and work on unique projects

Just as we prefer to work on high-end prestigious projects, so do our sub-contractors. Give them the opportunity to take part in projects they can be proud to have their names associated with.

Your subs will invest more of themselves in unique projects and the results will show.

6. Insist on two-way regular communication

Nothing frustrates me more than when my sub-contractors don't return my phone calls promptly. A close second is when a contractor doesn't call me when a design decision needs to be made on site.

That said, communication works both ways. We need to do our best to promptly inform our contractors when schedule changes occur, substitutions are made and on and on...

Discuss your expectations regarding communication before you begin working together.

5. Maintain control of the project but don't micromanage

This can be a difficult balancing act.

The key is to work with sub-contractors you trust to complete the work to your standards the first time around.

Put your trust in them, and let them do their job.

Your contractor doesn't want you looking over their shoulder. This leads to hesitant decision making and frustration on their part.

4. Clearly define the scope of the project

Our sub-contractors want to know EXACTLY what they are responsible for on each project.

This leads to more accurate pricing of course. It also leads to less confusion regarding "who's doing what" between sub-contractors.

Here are 3 ways to clearly define the scope of the project:

1. Provide each contractor with a detailed outline of their responsibilities as well as those of the other contractors.

2. Provide Construction Documents- this includes construction details as well as clearly written specifications.

3. If necessary, hold a "Pre-Bid" meeting on site with all sub-contractors and discuss #1 and #2 above.

3. Pay the contractor immediately

Everybody wants to be paid on time, this is a no-brainer.

Provide your sub-contractors with a deposit as early as possible and pay the contract balance immediately upon completion.

No contractor likes to call and ask for money. I don't like to get the awkward call from my contractors...so pay on time.

2. Value the contractors expertise

Perhaps the biggest frustration I hear from contractors is that their experience and expertise is not appreciated by designers.

Believe it or not, their are other people who know more than we do :-)

We have to show our sub-contractors respect by listening to their ideas and suggestions.

We will actually learn more this way and in the process earn the mutual respect from our contractors.

1. Clearly communicate expectations

Just as we need to clearly communicate the scope of a project, we also need to candidly communicate our overall expectations for our sub-contractors.

Most important is the quality of work we expect.

But this also includes expectations regarding scheduling, payments and warranty work.

Another expectation that should be discussed is employee conduct. Do you want sub-contractors with uniforms or are you okay with shirtless subs running around your site? What's your policy regarding smoking on site?

We need to set these expectations up front before working together.

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