Will the practice of outsourcing everything (lump-sum subcontracting) continue indefinitely?
An issue that has long been a concern in the construction industry,The Problem of Prime Contractors Passing Work Entirely onto Subcontractors. Outsourcing the entire project (lump-sum subcontracting) is, of course, prohibited by law, and the prime contractor naturally has a duty to manage the project.
However, in reality, especially in rural areas, it’s a common story that—despite labor shortages—companies want to ensure their profits, so while the prime contractor does assign site managers, it’s actually the subcontractors’ employees who are carrying out the day-to-day site management.
There are likely quite a few subcontractors who feel resentment toward the general contractor.
However,I believe that this problem of outsourcing everything to subcontractors will not only persist but will likely become an unavoidable and inevitable situation going forward.。
I'd like to hear your thoughts on what I have to say.
Even if there is a construction site, the work can't proceed due to a labor shortage.
First, Japan is facing an aging population and a declining population, andWe anticipate that the workforce in the construction industry is unlikely to grow in the future.。
Assuming that the current Construction Industry Act is not amended and the workforce in the construction industry continues to decline, we will reach a point where, even if there are construction sites (projects), the work simply cannot be carried out.
If general contractors are unable to secure construction contracts, large-scale projects will come to a standstill, and subcontractors will simultaneously lose their work. In that case, the best way for subcontractors to secure future profits will likely be to take on small-scale projects themselves and generate profits from them.
When it comes to large-scale construction projects, with the exception of major general contractors, local contractors and the like have fewer management personnel and are gradually falling into financial ruin.In that case, it is likely that a solution such as having a single site supervisor manage multiple construction projects will naturally emerge.
I have to manage multiple job sites on my own to keep things running smoothly
Back in the day, it was apparently not uncommon for a single site supervisor to manage multiple construction sites at the same time.
However, given that many companies are currently promoting the elimination of the “3K” conditions as part of work-style reforms, it is hard to imagine them choosing an option that would worsen working conditions. From the companies’ perspective, losing valuable employees would defeat the whole purpose.
However, as a final decision, since the company needs to continue generating profits, I believe that if we win a construction contract, we will likely have the site representative serve in that role as well, to the extent permitted by the Construction Industry Act.
Furthermore, if a subcontractor has spare capacity, I think the natural approach would be to ask them to help with administrative tasks as well, but,It's obvious that, in the end, this will amount to passing the buck.。
Since managing multiple job sites simultaneously is extremely demanding work, it is expected that the scope of work handled by subcontractors—such as on-site surveying, basic drafting, and the installation of long-span structures—will continue to expand.
In fact, it seems that many subcontractors in regional areas say, “These days, you won’t get any work if you can’t handle those basic management tasks.”It seems the era when you could get a job based solely on connections and networking is coming to an end.
What we currently take for granted will gradually become obsolete.
When the prime contractor's workload gets too heavy, the subcontractor steps in; when the subcontractor's workload gets too heavy, the sub-subcontractor steps in;Ultimately, the only way out is for the entire site to pitch in and handle it.。
The current norm—where a site supervisor is stationed at the site office and checks the height on-site at every step—will gradually become a thing of the past.To make up for the labor shortage, general contractors will likely start seeking out more qualified subcontractors.
They’d handle simple surveying on their own; if you gave them the blueprints, they’d manage to complete the construction to a reasonable standard on their own; they’d even install the long panels themselves. What if there were subcontractors like that?
Unless we take a more proactive approach to tasks that, at first glance, might seem like they’re the site supervisor’s job—while also improving the subcontractor’s own management capabilities—It is also possible that the construction industry as a whole could find itself in a situation where projects come to a standstill.。
What I’ve written here is strictly my own opinion, but it’s by no means a pipe dream. Even in my own circle, there are now companies among subcontractors that are actively learning and putting into practice on-site management to improve their skills.
It’s clear that contractors who simply wait for instructions from site supervisors are heading for very tough times ahead. To address the labor shortage in the construction industry, each individual is expected to improve their skills.
