Subcontractors are vital to a construction project’s success, yet sometimes, a trade you’ve hired proves to be less prepared or skilled than anticipated.
According to Inspection and Test Plans (ITP): The Definitive Guide to Proactive Digital QAQC, discovering a subcontractor’s shortfall mid-project is more common than many realize.
Whether it’s under-trained workers, insufficient equipment, or a gap in technical know-how, the results can jeopardize quality, cause rework, and derail schedules.
In the above situations, you may need to modify your Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) to take on, or more closely supervise, the quality control tasks originally assigned to that sub.
Failing to make these adjustments can trigger a cascade of problems; critical inspections might be overlooked or documented incorrectly, deficiencies remain unresolved, and subsequent trades risk inheriting hidden defects.
By revising the ITP mid-project, you’re not only ensuring that essential checks are carried out by qualified personnel but also preserving the standard of first-time quality.
This process involves promptly identifying the subcontractor’s skill gaps, reallocating responsibilities (e.g. assigning them to your in-house QA manager or another specialist) and setting up additional hold points or sign-offs.
In doing so, you regain control of the quality process, reducing the likelihood of rework, schedule slippage, and safety concerns.
This article explores how to detect an underqualified subcontractor early, revise the ITP for your new reality, and maintain consistent quality outcomes despite personnel or capability shortfalls.
Your Complete Guide to Achieving First Time Quality Excellence in Construction notes that ignoring these warning signs can inflate rework costs by up to 10% of the project budget. The longer you wait to address competence gaps, the more expensive and disruptive they become.
Your ITP outlines who handles each inspection, what acceptance criteria apply, and when tasks need verification. If a subcontractor can’t fulfill these responsibilities, or if their QA knowledge is lacking, you risk:
By revising the ITP, you ensure the general contractor (GC) or another qualified party supervises or assumes these QA tasks. This closes any competence gaps within the subcontractor’s scope and keeps the project moving forward.
Imagine a mid-sized commercial build where the mechanical subcontractor isn’t up to par:
It’s easy for subcontractors to feel sidelined when QC tasks are reassigned. Aim for a cooperative tone:
As highlighted in Inspection and Test Plans (ITP): The Definitive Guide to Proactive Digital QAQC, a supportive stance typically fosters better long-term relationships than abrupt “takeovers” that alienate your subcontractors.
Finding out mid-project that a subcontractor isn’t qualified for their QA duties can be unsettling, but it’s also solvable. By revising the ITP, shifting QC responsibilities, creating hold points, or involving new expertise, you maintain high standards and minimize costly rework. Transparent communication and a well-defined revision process keep everyone in the loop, ultimately delivering a safer, more efficient project.
To find out more about revising ITPs to assume QC duties if you feel your subcontractor isn’t up to par, download Inspection and Test Plans: The Definitive Guide to Proactive Digital QAQC or our Guide on Achieving First Time Quality from Subcontractors.
Alternatively, why not take a demo of our FTQ360 platform and see how you can assist your subcontractors with a digital QA/QC solution which simplifies version control and delivers real-time alerts, so your revised ITP is clearly communicated and acted on without delay.