We have a form we give all sub-trades that states what our expectations are in regards to their performance on our jobsites

Another post about “Getting your subtrades to clean up after themselves.” This is from Gavin Parsons of GP Homes, a green builder in the Vernon, B.C. area.

“We have been general contractors in our city for 40 years. We have a form we give all sub-trades that states what our expectations are in regards to their performance on our jobsites.

“As green builders we believe in recycling. Our sites have different bins or garbage cans for paper, metal, wood and just straight garbage. The drywall and insulation contractors looks after their own waste. Our city run dump sites charge different prices each category of waste. Over the years we have cut our garbage costs in half by doing this.

“Each sub-trade is responsible to clean up after themselves. I don’t expect them to sweep up though. We do one thorough sweep before insulation and after drywall.

“If they bring a lunch (with) pop cans or coffee cups they are expected (to) take them home. We will not clean up food waste or have it our garbage cans.

“We do not have laborers to clean up for anyone and it does not cost us anymore to have our trades do this.

“It has taken time and a bit of coercing to enforce our policies, but now the only ones we have to bring to task are newer workers.

“If every contractor had these policies we wouldn’t have the excuse of, ‘Why do we have to do this here, we don’t do this on Harry’s site.’ “