Hello, everyone.

This is Enta.

Apparently, this varies by region, but in some areas, material suppliers act as first-tier subcontractors to the general contractor.

And just when I thought a supervisor from the materials supplier would come to oversee construction management, it turns out a second-tier subcontractor is handling it, lol.

This is kind of... ???, isn't it?

That said, this system used to be in place in the Tokai region as well.

Gifu or something? lol (I don't know about these days)

Since a trading company is involved as a first-tier subcontractor, the materials are purchased from that trading company (though, of course, the purchasing company is listed separately with the government agency), and the subcontractor receives the construction work from that trading company.

The scheme behind trading companies' huge profits? lol

I can't help but think they should just crack down on this under the Antitrust Act.

Well, I suppose there are various reasons, but I can totally understand it when a trading company outsources the work to a second-tier subcontractor at a rate covering labor plus overhead, and the second-tier subcontractor purchases the materials from the trading company.

If that happens, though, I’ll just be passing the whole thing off to someone else, which would be a bit of a problem, lol.

However, this kind of setup will probably be phased out eventually.

No matter how you look at it, it just doesn't make sense.

It's actually weird to say this is normal for this area, lol.

There are many instances where what we’ve always taken for granted turns out to be abnormal.

There were things I used to do without a second thought that, as it turns out, were actually strange ways of doing things, operating procedures, or ways of thinking.

Since this situation arose due to a specific cause, it’s only natural that there are irregularities (exceptions).

However, an irregularity is, after all, just an irregularity. It means it’s not the norm.

Think as usual, and act as usual.

I think it’s perfectly fine to take regional differences into account when it comes to construction methods and timing.

However, I think matters related to construction contracts and subcontracting should naturally be standardized nationwide.

On the contrary, are there any differences??

Of course, things would be different if the client were someone else.

Well, I suppose it’s a bit odd for me—a subcontractor—to say this, but please try to question the things you take for granted right now.

I think you'll start to see what's really important.

I also think that this is another area that could change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

See you later.