{"id":3017,"date":"2017-11-27T11:12:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-27T16:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=3017"},"modified":"2026-02-16T06:07:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T11:07:16","slug":"work-quality-may-missing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/work-quality-may-missing\/","title":{"rendered":"Work quality: What you may be missing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWork quality: What you may be missing\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Reputable subcontractors stand by the quality of their work. They look for the best craft workers, invest in training, and put quality assurance measures in place. That said, subcontractors also need to pay attention to the quality requirements stipulated in any subcontract<\/a> they are prepared to sign.<\/p>\n

Defining quality<\/h2>\n

Many times, contract documents do not specify brands or makes and models of the material to be used on a project. However, this doesn\u2019t mean that the owner and general contractor aren\u2019t expecting first-class working equipment, material, and labor. To assure this happens, a common provision used in many subcontracts defines the quality of work. Here is an example:<\/p>\n

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Subcontractor shall at all times provide first quality, new materials (unless otherwise specified in the contract documents) and workmanship conforming to this subcontract and the contract documents requirements and be in accordance with the best<\/strong> standards of the construction industry where the project is located. The subcontractor shall, if required, furnish satisfactory evidence as to kind and quality of all materials and equipment.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The use of the word \u201cbest\u201d is important. If a dispute arises concerning a subcontractor\u2019s work, it becomes a matter of interpretation as to whether the work fulfills this \u201cbest\u201d requirement. So, if you are a subcontractor, you need to watch for words like \u201cbest quality\u201d and \u201chighest level\u201d<\/a> in your contracts. If possible, replace them with more objective language such as \u201creasonable and customary quality.\u201d This will provide more legal ground to resist the imposition of an otherwise subjective interpretation.<\/p>\n

Taking responsibility for another\u2019s work<\/h2>\n

Another area ripe for dispute is where someone\u2019s work intersects with another\u2019s. Many subcontracts contain provisions which either imply or directly state that proceeding with work assumes other intersecting work is acceptable. For example, when a stucco contractor proceeds to apply the stucco, it is assumed there are no defects underneath his or her work. Here is a sample of this type of provision:<\/p>\n

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Subcontractor shall use<\/em> all necessary means to discover and to notify contractor in writing of any defect in any part of the project upon which the satisfactory performance of the work may depend, and to allow a reasonable amount of time for remedying such defects. <\/em><\/p>\n

If subcontractor should proceed with the work, the subcontractor shall be considered to have accepted and be responsible for such condition and consequences therefore unless the subcontractor have been directed by a contractor in writing to proceed over subcontractor\u2019s written objection to contractor. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As this provision also indicates, the best way to address any concerns related to the soundness and integrity of work that could intersect or impact your work is to make a claim in writing. Whatever the problem, it should be timely raised with the general contractor to determine how to proceed.<\/p>\n

Of course, no one should be held liable for quality issues outside of one\u2019s control. To further protect such rights, a subcontractor should add to the contract that it \u201cdisclaims responsibility for conditions which are hidden or otherwise not reasonably discoverable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

When it comes to quality, the focus should be on both your performance as well as the owner\u2019s and general contractor\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n\n

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