Boffins* have told us this, therefore it must be true. Contractors are out to screw you over, every single last one of them. Even their name contains the word “con” which is conclusive evidence of their unscrupulous intentions!

Proof

In a recent survey by the much vaunted Department of Germane Statistics** (DoGS) it was shown that when they are not on your site delivering your project, these nefarious contractors sit in conclaves with their dastardly fellows dreaming up ever more innovative ways to screw you over. I know, mad isn’t it!!

It has been revealed by an anonymous whistleblower named Bob Evans from Runcorn that the word “workmanship” is a secret codeword that actually means - “shaft that client good”.

Statistically*** speaking contractors don’t get ahead by delivering quality projects, no sir, they thrive on shafting people and don’t care about you or your project. In a further recent survey by the DoGS****, it was shown that there is not one single contractor in the whole of the known universe who gives a rats tale about you or your project, so why should you give up your cash to these obvious con artists?

Six Reasons or maybe seven, I lost count to be honest….

Meanwhile in the Real World!

While it may seem I am making light of what is a huge blight on our industry, the truth is I am trying to highlight the awful impact of not paying or delaying payment has on the human beings who run our industries contracting organisations.

In addition to losing money, many of these people ultimately lose companies, homes, spouses, hair, minds and sanity. They endure stress, heartache, health issues and are typically very unhappy in life. This is the actual inconvenient truth of this article.

If you are sitting reading this thinking so what, then you my friend need to take a long hard look at your life.

I have personally experienced non or late payment first hand as a former contractor and for the last ten years have fought hard to protect many contractor clients, like my father, who lost his company due to a number of people who simply didn’t give a rats tale when the chips were down.

The status quo I am highlighting is a race to the bottom with no winners. Wise up.

If a contractor does a job well, pay him and pay him on time. That’s the very simple solution to this problem.

If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem and I, karma or somebody like me will be coming to see you soon.

It is not okay to screw over contractors, just the same as it is not okay to screw over clients. The point is though, that clients hold the key to changing the current low trust environment.

While there are some dodgy contractors out there, in my experience the vast majority of contractors, main and specialist simply want to do a quality job, be paid what they are owed and grow their businesses. They are just people who do care, who want to be happy and live fruitful and fulfilling lives. That to me is the bottom line, screwing them over takes this away from them and that is never right.

Pay correctly and on time. It’s not rocket science

Thank you for taking time to read this article, please do me a favour, if this article resonated with you in any way can you share it with your networks and let’s all work together to stamp out supply chain abuse. It is not big and it is certainly not clever.

Please feel free to connect with me or get in touch via yosof@ewingadr.com

Citations

* Boffins. BOFFINS!! RUDDY BOFFINS - don’t be daft, they didn’t say this, ever. You did look here though, but I won’t tell.

** The Department of Germane Statistics sadly closed it’s doors on the 52nd of Julember 2076.

*** 78% of all statistics have been found to be untrue.

**** DoGS had planned to use the Hubble Space Telescope to prove this theory, incredibly discovering an alternate universe where people paid on time and disputes didn’t exist. They also found a planet shaped like a bone.

About the Author (Me)

I am first and foremost a human being who has witnessed and continues to witness the impact non and late payment has on the people I work with and advise. I say enough is enough, we need to change this and we need all sides to play fair and pay what they owe, when they owe it.

I have worked in the construction industry for over 25 years. In that time, as a contractor and now as a dispute and contract specialist who gets contractors paid what they are owed. I advise at all stages of the contract cycle from invitation to tender to final account and where necessary dispute resolution.

My goal is to restore balance to the industry so that parties to a contract have mutual respect for each other and work collaboratively as opposed to being adversarial.

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Find out more at www.ewingadr.com or on Twitter @EwingADR