CLC Subcontractor Coordination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A plumber finishes rough-in a day early. What is the lead carpenter's best immediate action?
- Notify the inspector and schedule the next trade early (Correct answer)
- Wait until the original schedule date to call the next trade
- Begin closing in walls without inspection
- Send the plumber home and adjust the project end date
Correct answer: Notify the inspector and schedule the next trade early
Pulling trades forward when a predecessor finishes early compresses the schedule and reduces idle time on the project.
Question 2: Which document establishes the legal relationship and scope of work between the general contractor and a subcontractor?
- The project schedule
- The subcontract agreement (Correct answer)
- The punch list
- The material takeoff
Correct answer: The subcontract agreement
The subcontract agreement defines scope, payment terms, insurance requirements, and dispute resolution procedures.
Question 3: An electrical subcontractor wants to route conduit through a structural header. What should the lead carpenter do first?
- Allow it if the run is short
- Consult the structural drawings and engineer of record before approving (Correct answer)
- Drill the header immediately to keep the sub on schedule
- Ask the homeowner for verbal approval
Correct answer: Consult the structural drawings and engineer of record before approving
Structural members must not be notched or drilled without engineer approval to avoid compromising load capacity.
Question 4: What is the purpose of holding a pre-construction meeting with all subcontractors?
- To collect subcontractor insurance certificates only
- To align all parties on schedule, site rules, and sequencing before work begins (Correct answer)
- To renegotiate subcontract prices
- To assign the general contractor's warranty responsibilities
Correct answer: To align all parties on schedule, site rules, and sequencing before work begins
Pre-construction meetings reduce conflicts by establishing shared expectations for logistics, safety, and sequence before the first shovel hits the ground.
Question 5: A subcontractor claims they were not informed of a scope change and demands extra compensation. What should the lead carpenter reference first?
- The project photos
- The signed change order or written notice of the change (Correct answer)
- The verbal agreement made on site
- The original bid document only
Correct answer: The signed change order or written notice of the change
Signed change orders are the authoritative record of agreed scope and price changes; verbal agreements are difficult to enforce.
Question 6: Which scheduling method helps a lead carpenter identify which subcontractor tasks are on the critical path?
- Gantt chart with float analysis (Correct answer)
- Alphabetical task listing
- Reverse punch list
- Material delivery log
Correct answer: Gantt chart with float analysis
A Gantt chart with float analysis shows which tasks have zero float and therefore directly control project completion.
Question 7: A drywall sub leaves debris and compound buckets in the work area at day's end. According to OSHA housekeeping standards, who is primarily responsible for ensuring cleanup?
- The homeowner
- The next trade scheduled to work in the area
- The general contractor or lead carpenter managing the site (Correct answer)
- The material supplier
Correct answer: The general contractor or lead carpenter managing the site
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.25 requires the general contractor to maintain orderly, sanitary worksites, and the lead carpenter enforces this on behalf of the GC.
CLC Subcontractor Coordination 2
A plumber finishes rough-in a day early.
What is the lead carpenter's best immediate action?