I hear you on the binder—mine’s starting to look like a crime scene investigation, with all the notes and arrows. I’ve had contractors give me attitude about documenting stuff, but honestly, if they’re not willing to be transparent, that’s a red flag for me. Ever had someone flat-out refuse to take progress pics? That’s when I start getting suspicious...
Definitely agree—if someone’s skittish about photos or documentation, that’s a problem. I’ve had a few guys get weird about it, saying it’s “not their thing” or that it slows them down. That’s usually when I cut ties. At this point, if they won’t send progress pics, I just move on. It’s not even about trust issues, it’s about covering everyone’s bases. Plus, having a visual record saves so many headaches later if something gets missed or needs to be double-checked.
I don’t mind being a bit of a stickler with paperwork and photos. The good contractors actually seem to prefer it—they know there’s less confusion down the line. If someone pushes back too hard on transparency, I start to wonder what they’re hiding... or if they just don’t care about the details. Either way, not worth the risk for me.
Couldn’t agree more about the transparency thing. If a contractor balks at sending photos or filling out basic docs, that’s a red flag for me too. I get that some guys just want to “get to work,” but at the end of the day, I’m not running a charity—I need things documented. Paper trails and photo records have saved me from so many headaches later on, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects. It’s not even about trust, it’s just smart business. If they don’t like it, there are plenty who do.
I get that some guys just want to “get to work,” but at the end of the day, I’m not running a charity—I need things documented. Paper trails and photo records have saved me from so many hea...
Couldn’t agree more about the need for documentation. I’ve lost count of how many times a simple set of before-and-after photos or a signed change order has spared me from disputes down the line. Like you said, it’s not about trust—just good business.
That said, I’ve had a few contractors push back, saying the paperwork slows them down or that “they’ve never needed it before.” Sometimes I wonder if there’s a balance to be struck between keeping things efficient and covering your bases. I’m all for streamlining, but if someone flat-out refuses, that’s usually a dealbreaker for me.
Curious—do you ever make exceptions for long-term subs you’ve worked with for years? Or is it a hard rule for everyone, no matter how well you know them? I’ve got one guy I trust, but even then, I still want everything in writing. Maybe I’m just too cautious, but with the stakes involved, I’d rather be safe than sorry.
I’ve been burned once or twice by not having things documented, even with folks I thought I could trust. One time, a buddy I’d worked with for years “forgot” a detail about a window install, and it turned into a whole mess. Since then, I treat paperwork as non-negotiable, no matter how long I’ve known someone. It’s not about doubting them—it’s just that memory gets fuzzy, and details slip through the cracks. I’d rather have a ten-minute paperwork delay than a week of headaches later.