Most subcontract work in the trades comes from companies that already know you: former employers, shops that run short in peak season, installers with more sold jobs than crews, and contractors you meet at supply houses. Get your license, insurance and EPA or other credentials in order, tell those companies exactly which days and job types you can take, and make it easy for them to book you.
This page is for the contractor looking for work. If you're a company looking for subcontractors, the subcontractor scheduling page is the one to read.
Who sends subcontract work, and why
Companies sub out work for a few predictable reasons. Knowing which one applies tells you how to pitch.
| Who | Why they need you | When |
|---|---|---|
| Service companies (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) | More calls than techs | Peak season, after a tech quits |
| Installers and solar companies | Sold jobs waiting on crews | Busy install months |
| General contractors and remodelers | A trade they don't have in house | Project by project |
| Property managers | Repairs across many units | Turnover season, steady maintenance |
| Companies far from a job | Work outside their normal area | Any time |
The common thread: they need reliable capacity on specific days. Your pitch is not "I'm available". It's "I can take installs on Tuesdays and Thursdays in this area, and here's my license and insurance."
Where to look
- Former employers and coworkers. They know your work. Leave on good terms, and tell them when you go independent.
- Supply houses. The counter staff know which contractors are slammed. Be there early in the morning when contractors are.
- Local companies in peak season. Call HVAC shops in May, plumbers before the first hard freeze, solar installers when their backlog grows. Have your documents ready to send the same day.
- General contractors and remodelers. They need licensed trades for permits and inspections.
- Trade associations and local union halls. Meetings and training nights are where owners talk about being short-handed.
- Contractor networks. Some platforms connect companies with independent contractors directly. Read how each one works: who sets the price, who owns the customer, and what you pay to use it.
Make yourself easy to book
Companies pick the contractor who takes the least effort. That means:
- Documents ready. License number, certificate of insurance, EPA or other certifications, a W-9. Send them in one email.
- Clear availability. Which days, which hours, which area. Update it every week.
- Clear job types. What you take and what you don't. A company that sends you the wrong job once may not send another.
- Clear pay terms. Hourly, flat or a percent, and when you expect to be paid. Settle it before the first job, not after.
- Fast answers. A same-day yes or no beats a better rate tomorrow.
Vet the company before you take the work
Not every company that wants a sub is one you want to work for. Before the first job, find out:
- How and when they pay. A set number of days after the job, or "when the customer pays us"? The second one makes their collections your problem.
- Who handles callbacks. Are you paid to go back? Who decides if it's a callback?
- Who supplies parts and equipment. Who pays when the part is wrong?
- Whose name the customer sees. Some companies want you to show up under their name.
- Their reputation. Ask other subs. Supply house staff often know who pays late.
Keep the calendar full
A subcontractor's income is billable hours, and an empty Wednesday is gone for good. Track three numbers every month:
fill rate = billed hours ÷ hours you offered
acceptance rate = jobs you took ÷ jobs you were offered
average days to get paid = sum of days from job done to payment ÷ jobs paid
These numbers are invented. The point: one more reliable source of work often matters more than a higher rate. The 1099 vs W-2 page shows how billable hours drive your break-even.
One way to be bookable without the phone tag
CrewConnect, live in early access, is built for exactly this. Companies and 1099 contractors connect with each other. A company sees only your open times at the job's address, never your other jobs, customers or prices, and sends work straight into your schedule with pay terms both owners agreed to: a percent of your list price or a flat amount, due a set number of days (0 to 90) after the job is done. If a company requires a license, insurance or a certification, it's checked against the job date. A Connect seat is free for 1099s who only receive CrewConnect work. Payment is settled directly between the companies; CrewConnect records what's owed and when.
For the company side of the same problem, see scheduling subcontractors and 1099 crews and the 1099 subcontractor glossary entry.
What to take away
- Most sub work comes from companies that know you: former employers, peak-season shops, installers and GCs.
- Pitch specific days, job types and areas, with license and insurance ready to send.
- Vet how and when a company pays before the first job.
- Track fill rate and days to get paid. One more steady source often beats a higher rate.
Common questions
How do I get my first subcontract job?
Start with people who know your work: your last employer, former coworkers who've moved shops, and contractors you know from the supply house. Send your license, insurance and availability in one message, and offer specific days.
What do companies look for in a subcontractor?
Usually a current license where required, proof of insurance, the right certifications for the work, clear availability and reliability. Show up when you said, finish the job, and send clean paperwork.
Should I take work that pays when the customer pays?
Be careful. It makes the company's collections your risk. A fixed number of days after the job is done is cleaner. Agree it in writing before you start.
Can I work for several companies at once as a subcontractor?
Usually yes, and it spreads your risk. Keep one calendar for all of them so you never promise the same time twice, and check your agreements for any restrictions.