HomeBlogWise Up WednesdayWise Up Wednesday: Are You A Specialist Contractor Or A “Subby”?

Wise Up Wednesday: Are You A Specialist Contractor Or A “Subby”?

Date: 29/07/2015
Category: Wise Up Wednesday

Yesterday one of our Client’s told me that he had a massive light bulb moment at our “Win Work-Get Paid-Make Money” conference earlier this month. You know one of those times when something really important suddenly clicks into place in your brain.

And what had hit him right between the eyes was that he was a Specialist Contractor, and not just a “Subby”!

He realised that what we have been saying over and over again in our blog, in our Linkedin group, in our Wise Up Wednesdays, and at our conference was all true. The Contractors haven’t got a clue and couldn’t build anything without Specialist Contractors!

And he was indeed a Specialist Contractor because he was an expert at doing what he does, whereas the only thing that most Contractors are good at is screwing their supply chain.

The conference also provided the opportunity to share his experiences and talk to his fellow Specialist Contractors from all over the country, and despite the fact the economy is improving, Specialist Contractors are still suffering from many of the problems that have dogged the Construction and Engineering industries for the last few years.

And one of the main problems is that Contractors treat you like just another “Subby”.

You Have A Choice To Make!

So, now you have a choice to make.

You can think and act like just another Subby, take whatever crap the Contractor throws at you, accept his poor payment practices and onerous terms. Or you can say;

“Hang on a minute! I’m not a Subby, I’m a Specialist Contractor, I’m an expert and what I do, and you couldn’t build anything without us!”

And as the Specialist Contractor’s champions StreetwiseSubbie have a multitude of resources exclusively designed to help you to get Streetwise, and in doing so become a very successful Specialist Contractor.

StreetwiseSubbie aims to help you to secure your company’s future whatever the economy, and to help you discover solutions that will make an immediate and positive difference in your business.

Free Advice And information

Our unique web site is exclusively for Specialist Contractors.

Our service is completely different from the kind of thing you may already be getting from your Trade Association, Solicitor or other provider, because it provides you with information about 40 different aspects of your business!

Our expert team of professionals provide all the expertise and support you need to resolve your problems and grow your business. Our goal is your wealth and security, now and in the future.

It’s all about short term relief/solutions and long term protection.

It’s about peace of mind and recognising your true worth as a;

** Specialist Contractor **

So come and check out our Free Resources for Specialist Contractors.

An Intelligent Forum Exclusively For Specialist Contractors

If you prefer to get answers via an intelligent and exclusive forum (none of the drivel you get in other forums), you are invited to join our exclusive group of 2,186 owners, directors and senior staff of Specialist Contractors on LinkedIn.

You can find this exclusive group here Free To Join Your LinkedIn Group!

Here’s what one Specialist Contractor thinks about it;

“This group is a great idea, thanks! I am so pleased there is finally a forum to share relevant and needed information…particularly regarding Main Contractors that don’t pay!”

The group is an exclusive alliance of Specialist Contractors in the Construction and Engineering Industries, and it will help you to interact with over 2,000 other Specialist Contractors irrespective of your size or specialisation.

And NOT A Single Contractor in sight!

Unlike the NSCC which now thinks joining the Contractors in the UKCG is going to improve the way the Contractors treat you!

You can find out more about the exclusively for Specialist Contractors group here; Free To Join Your LinkedIn Group!

Here’s The News About The News For Specialist Contractors

How would you like to keep up to date with the latest developments in the construction and engineering industries all in one place?

How would you like to keep up to date for free?

SubContracting Today is a free daily digest of all the hot topics that affect you and your business. please check it out now; Subcontracting Today

Do you need to know what the news means to you and your business?

SubContracting Today will help you stay ahead of the curve with news, analysis, client information and regional and sector insight as well as practical advice.

We link you to all the top stories, and as well as daily news, analysis and interviews, you will find in-depth briefings and case studies of on-going projects.

For your free daily digest of all the hot topics that affect you and your business. please check it out now; Subcontracting Today

And Because We Know Times Are Tough…

We know that things have got slightly better, but these are still tough times and we are already helping lots of Specialist Contractors just like you in this tough commercial and contractual environment.

We have the fantastic support of our Nationwide Network of Independent Consultants who are working with our core team to bring you all the help and support you will ever need.

We look forward to keeping you up to date and helping you to resolve all your business problems.

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A-Z of Resources

Become a Streetwise Buddy

Construction’s a tough place to do business right now, and Specialist Contractors need all the help you can get. That’s why you will find our resources and expertise are invaluable, whatever the size of your business and whatever your specialisation. We’re here to help you solve all your business problems, including the crucially important contractual ones, such as getting paid.

What Our Buddies Say ...

Linda Johnson, Director, Active Tunnelling

“This toolkit is amazing, I often sit up late at night googling information or reading contractual books from my iphone before going to sleep. On reading the first couple of tabs worth in your beautifully presented and appropriately organised folders I am delighted to have joined the club! I’ve always said that knowledge is power and this really is a powerful resource, there will be a hell of a lot of bed time reading but hopefully this will allow me to retire before I hit the age of 90.”

Mark Grocock, Managing Director, Bespoke Drywall Ltd

"Streetwisesubbies consultant guided Bespoke Drywall Limited through the triple ISO certification process and, with thier assistance, we were certificated to 9001, 14001 & 18001. The consultant supplied assistance and support throughout the process either by email, phone or visits to our Office. He also chaired our inaugural management review and steered us through and also made other positive contributions to our business which has seen us register on the Growth Accelerator coaching programme. We also intend to engage him to carry out our annual internal audits. A consummate professional and we would not hesitate to recommend him."

Ian Radford, Managing Director MIES Building Services Limited

“StreetwiseSubbie provides no nonsense contractual advice that’s easy to understand and their Consultant has been excellent at getting our money for us!”

Gerard Duffy, MD, Enterprise Electrical Ltd

"A company went bump on us owing quite a bit of money. Our Streetwise Consultant) guided us through our options and worked with the end client to re-coup some of our losses ... the moral of this story, get signed up to StreetwiseSubbie and make use of what it has to offer."

Bernard Murray, Fireproof Fire Engineering Sprinkler System Specialists

“I want to express my own and our Directors thanks for your input on our payment problems...and the successful resolution of the matter.”

Sue McIntyre, General Manager, Grantfen Fire & Security Ltd

“We are very grateful to StreetwiseSubbie for helping us to resolve a stressful and potentially disastrous situation“

Stuart Bailey, Managing Director, William Bailey Ltd

"StreetwiseSubbie added to our contractual awareness and helped us improve our marketing...it’s definitely a good deal and very informative!”

Tim Keyes, Managing Director, NWP Electrical and Mechanical Limited

“The initial StreetwiseSubbie induction session provided us with a comprehensive marketing report....and their free consultancy service for copy writing helped us to secure top quality press coverage in our area.”

Karl Bradshaw, Director, B&S Electrical Contractors Ltd

“Sub-Contractor friendly, down to earth commercial and contractual advice and support that has already helped us enormously.”

Trevor Kirby, Anglian Architechtural

“I recommend all Specialist Contractors, whether they nd trading in the present market to be a challenge or not, to get in touch with StreetwiseSubbie; we did - and the monthly fee has been money well spent for advice on both Contractual and Marketing matters. We are a small rm and when we needed Contractual support to ght a claim that was dragging on, Streetwise was there for us and we got paid within a month.”

Reg Burgess, Painting Subcontractor

“Many thanks for your advice regarding our contractual problem and your prompt, straightforward advice regarding applications, dayworks and more.

I feel genuinely re-assured having found your site and the backup provided from you and your team.”

Phil Bradley Jacobs, LES E&I Specialist Sub-Contractors

“I had a particularly difficult contractual position with a client, which could have led to a significant commercial loss on the project, through Barry’s involvement and assistance I managed to work positively and constructively with the client to amicably resolve the issues to the success of the project.

Barry provided a clear and concise contractual position but then set out scenarios from real life experiences that changed the strategy we adopted; this was instrumental in reaching an amicable resolution of a difficult situation.”

Mike Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Mechanical Services Ltd

“I highly recommend Streetwisesubbies Consultants, Foy Certification for their simple step by step approach to achieving an IMS; with thier help we have been able to achieve the three international standards taking our business to the next level”

John O’Connell, Managing Director, O’Connell’s Drywall Contractors Limited

“StreetwiseSubbie helped us to produce more effective advertising that got results”

M Duff, Company Director, R&M Sprinkler Installations

“We had only just signed up for the Gold Buddy Membership when we had issues getting retention monies released from a Main Contractor, with the expert and excellent assistance and advice received from Jo and the team, our retention monies were promptly released. We have since recommended SWS
to other subbies having similar issues. Once again many thanks for your help.”