EP 97 | Why the Right Subcontractor Can Make or Break Your Project
In this episode:
In this solo episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, host Curtis Lawson dives into a key issue that often separates quality builds from frustrating disasters: having the right subcontractor for the job. Drawing on his years of experience, Curtis explores how builders sometimes hold on to subcontractors who no longer match the scale or complexity of the projects they’re taking on. Whether it’s about loyalty, budget constraints, or lack of experience, failing to evolve your team alongside your projects can have serious consequences — both visually and structurally.
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The Sunk Cost Fallacy in Construction: How holding on to the wrong subcontractors can harm your projects.
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Growing With Your Team: Why your subcontractors should scale with you as your projects grow in size and complexity.
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Two Common Pitfalls:
1. Sticking with subs who have maxed out their capabilities.
2. Hiring lower-tier subs just to cut costs — and the risks that come with it. -
You’re Only As Good As Your Weakest Trade: How one bad subcontractor can derail an otherwise solid job.
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Building Envelope + Long-Term Damage: The importance of using quality trades for foundation, framing, insulation, and other critical systems.
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The Power of Customer Education: How setting expectations protects both the builder and the client.
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Avoiding Legal Trouble: The value of documenting conversations around budget trade-offs and quality differences.
Bonus:
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A good subcontractor will grow with you. Curtis shares examples of his own tradespeople who’ve evolved from small-time operations into high-end professionals through continued learning and investment.
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Not all jobs are a good fit. Saying “no” to the wrong client or cutting corners for a price match isn’t worth risking your reputation or future litigation.
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Set standards, not shortcuts. Refusing to offer low-end options can filter out the wrong clients and strengthen your brand as a high-quality builder.
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In construction, clear communication is everything — from explaining pricing tiers to detailing scopes of work in your contracts.
How to get in touch:
Want to learn more about hiring the right team for your custom home or remodel?
📧 Email: podcast@yourprojectshepherd.com
About Our Guest:
Curtis Lawson is the host of Your Project Shepherd and a seasoned custom home builder based in Southwest Houston. With over two decades of experience, Curtis brings transparency, practical advice, and deep industry knowledge to every conversation. Through this podcast, he helps homeowners and fellow builders navigate the construction process with clarity and confidence.
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