| Many
general contractors may feel threatened by this
Association; however, we believe in an ultimate
outcome where a better climate can exist between
General Contractors and Subcontractors.
A secure subcontractor makes for
a
stronger, more functional relationship with
a general contractor.
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Our
Mission
The Canadian Subcontractors Association
believes that we can make changes for subcontractors
in the construction industry.
Working together with you, we
can make a difference!
Our mission is to help the "Small
Guy" (subcontractors) deal with the "Big
Guys" (general contractors, owners, etc.).
By providing a network for its members,.... to
help discuss new information, to improve on our education and business ideas, and
to increase communication between all groups
and trades in the construction industry; together we can stop the
manipulation that exists between the
"generals" and the "subs".
We can have "a say" in
making the deals,
contracts, and in payments...AND in regulations!
After all, who is doing
the work??
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Our
Profile
For many subcontractors, one of
the No.1 issues over the last 20 years has been
not being treated fairly since the very nature
of the industry is that "we do the work....THEN....we
get paid."
Disputes over payments between
owners, general contractors and subcontractors
are common throughout the industry. As many
subcontractors will agree, the process of approval
for payment is slow, and often does not work. (The following example
..........to illustrate)
- A Subcontractor does the work.
- Then invoices at the end of
a 30 day period,
- The Invoice is submitted to the General.
- The General submits his invoice
(including the subcontractor's invoices) to
the owner.
- The Architect/engineer is called
for certification ( or should be called)
- The owner double checks what
is being submitted through the architect,
engineer and certifier.
- Then, submits for release of mortgage
advance for this monthly payment.
- Mortgage Co. does its own
verifications, then makes payment to
the owner.
- The owner pays, what has been
approved, to the General.
- The General pays the Subcontractor.
Can this be done within 30 days????
(as it should!)
Many subcontractors have experienced
and can think of many instances where
this process does not work, and they have found many
reasons why this process seldom gets done...
within the 30-45 day period.
Not to mention payment of
holdbacks.......
Furthermore, misinterpretations of laws, regulations,
and standards of the industry are often the
cause of costly, lengthy and sometimes fruitless,
futile legal proceedings.
We have found that, to this day,
the standard contract formats continue to have
unclear areas that leave the subcontractor vulnerable,
very often subject to manipulation. Unfortunately,
we, the subcontractor, are most vulnerable and
are suffering the consequences. In other words;
"We don't get paid, until the disputes
are resolved!", and often some of these
disputes have nothing to do with us, or our
work performance.
And this is only one of the many
reasons for our coming together! We could say
a thing or two about extras (in writing????), payment
clauses, bias contract forms (guess who's side?)
construction lien rights interpretation?, and
so many more issues!
We believe that, our "coming
together" through this association, we can make
positive changes for ourselves in the industry,
so that we, the subcontractor, need not suffer
financially because of others' management practices.
Again, .....
After all, who is doing the work??
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Our
Policies
Coming soon.
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