CLC Subcontractor Coordination 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A subcontractor asks to store large equipment in the client's driveway overnight. What is the lead carpenter's best response?
- Approve it without question to keep the sub happy
- Deny it outright regardless of circumstances
- Obtain written client permission and document it before allowing storage (Correct answer)
- Allow it only if the equipment is valued under $500
Correct answer: Obtain written client permission and document it before allowing storage
Using client property for storage requires documented client consent to avoid liability and maintain professional relationships.
Question 2: What does 'float' mean in the context of a project schedule?
- The amount of concrete that can be added to a mix
- The number of extra workers available on a given day
- The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project (Correct answer)
- The markup percentage on subcontractor invoices
Correct answer: The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project
Float (or slack) is the scheduling buffer that allows non-critical tasks to slip without pushing back the project end date.
Question 3: Which insurance certificate must a lead carpenter verify before allowing a subcontractor to begin work on a residential remodel?
- Workers' compensation and general liability (Correct answer)
- Vehicle insurance only
- Professional liability for architects
- Product liability for materials only
Correct answer: Workers' compensation and general liability
Workers' compensation covers sub employees for job-site injuries, and general liability protects against property damage or third-party claims.
Question 4: During framing, the HVAC subcontractor needs a chase that conflicts with a planned closet. How should the lead carpenter resolve this?
- Eliminate the closet without consulting the client
- Hold a coordination meeting with the HVAC sub and designer to find an acceptable solution (Correct answer)
- Tell the HVAC sub to reroute on their own time
- Ignore the conflict and close in the walls
Correct answer: Hold a coordination meeting with the HVAC sub and designer to find an acceptable solution
Conflicts between trades and design intent require a coordinated discussion with all affected parties before any work proceeds.
Question 5: A finish carpenter subcontractor's work has minor defects discovered during the punch list phase. What is the correct process?
- Accept the work and note it in the warranty file
- Document each defect in writing and require the sub to correct before final payment (Correct answer)
- Correct the defects yourself and back-charge without notice
- Release final payment and request corrections later
Correct answer: Document each defect in writing and require the sub to correct before final payment
Punch list defects must be formally documented and corrected by the responsible sub before final payment to maintain accountability.
Question 6: What is the primary reason a lead carpenter should confirm subcontractor material lead times early in the project?
- To adjust the subcontractor's hourly rate
- To prevent schedule delays caused by late material deliveries (Correct answer)
- To avoid having to write change orders
- To satisfy lien waiver requirements
Correct answer: To prevent schedule delays caused by late material deliveries
Long-lead items like windows, cabinets, or specialty hardware can delay entire project phases if not ordered well in advance.
Question 7: When a subcontractor's employee is injured on site, who should be notified immediately in addition to emergency services?
- Only the injured worker's family
- The lead carpenter, general contractor, and the sub's insurance carrier (Correct answer)
- The city building department only
- The material supplier
Correct answer: The lead carpenter, general contractor, and the sub's insurance carrier
Incident reporting protocols require prompt notification to site management and insurance carriers to initiate workers' compensation and document the event.
CLC Subcontractor Coordination 3
A subcontractor asks to store large equipment in the client's driveway overnight.
What is the lead carpenter's best response?