How to Manage Disputes with General Contractors as a Commercial Subcontractor

Victor K • July 31, 2023
A man is holding a piece of paper in front of a group of people sitting at a table.

Working in the construction industry as a commercial subcontractor Seattle can be a good experience with high-profit margins. However, the construction industry is such that dwells on disputes and legal battles. Therefore, as a commercial construction subcontractor Seattle, one must be prepared to have disputes arising during or after the task is completed with the general contractor. However, there are certain ways (working methods in the industry) that a commercial subcontractor Seattle can adopt once the dispute arises. We talk about the 5 most well-known strategies to manage disputes with a general contractor as a building construction subcontractor Washington.

 

Communication

Open communication with a general contractor after the dispute arises is the key for any building construction subcontractor Washington. The problem needs to be identified properly on day one and the building subcontractor Washington must clearly express their concerns. Maintaining open lines of communication frequently results in gaining insight into each other's perspectives and identifying shared points of agreement, ultimately paving the way for a satisfactory resolution.

 

Documentation

Proper documentation can lead to suppressing disputes before they even arrive. However, it is also an effective tool for dispute management for any commercial. All communication between the company and the general contractor must be recorded which can later be used if the dispute escalates.

 

Contract Review

Once the dispute happens, it is always in the interest of commercial construction subcontractor Seattle to review the contract thoroughly. It can identify the grounds on which the dispute is standing along with any mistakes that have been made and can be rectified by negotiations rather than going for a legal battle. Extensive mediation over contracts and things that were missed leading to the dispute can be a great tool in resolving the issue.

 

Third-Party Resolutions

If mediation doesn't work, the next option for a construction management subcontractor

 is arbitration. In arbitration, a neutral person or group listens to both sides and makes a final decision. It's faster and cheaper than going to court. It has its merits and demerits but going to court can seriously hamper the progress of a task, its payments and the future credibility of the general contractor and commercial subcontractor both.

 

Foster Relationships

Even when there are arguments, it's vital to keep good relationships with others in the construction industry, something that United Seattle thrives upon. People talk, and if you get a reputation for being hard to work with, it could make it tough to get more projects. Try to resolve issues while showing respect to the general contractor and their team.

 

Final Verdict: Stay In The GAME

Disputes are something that a commercial subcontractor Seattle cannot avoid. However, there are certain ways by which you can avoid disputes. This includes pre-research, solid contract work and working with reputable general contractors. However, once a dispute arrives, never leave the realm of professionalism and go for stellar communication that helps immensely in resolving the disputes between commercial subcontractor Seattle and a general contractor. Moreover, proper contract review before signing and after the dispute arrives along with mediation and third-party review will always allow a building subcontractor Washington to find a solution. Always remember that amicable resolution of disputes boosts the credibility of construction subcontracting services Seattle which eventually helps in finding more business opportunities in the future.

 

There are certain ways a construction management subcontractor can avoid these disputes, some strategies discussed in one of the older blogs.

By Victor K July 23, 2025
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