Contractors usually reuse the same subcontractors, foremen and suppliers from project to project, often on memory and good relations alone. A simple rating at the end of each project makes the next choice fairer and safer: good ones are kept, problem ones get a note or are dropped.
- On time 30%
- Quality of work 30%
- Price and billing 15%
- Safety 15%
- Documents and communication 10%
Example ratings
| Criterion (weight) | Roof frame subcontractor | Wall foreman | Rebar supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| On time (30%) | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Quality (30%) | 4 | 4 | 2: bars under nominal weight |
| Price and billing (15%) | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Safety (15%) | 4 | 3 | not rated: weight shared out |
| Documents and communication (10%) | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Weighted score | 3.75 | 3.85 | 3.65 |
| Decision | Use again, ask for a more detailed schedule | Use again | Weigh a sample every delivery, find a comparison supplier |
Weighted score = sum of (score × weight). Roof subcontractor: 3 × 0.30 + 4 × 0.30 + 5 × 0.15 + 4 × 0.15 + 3 × 0.10 = 3.75. When a criterion does not apply, divide by the weights that remain: rebar supplier (5 × 30 + 2 × 30 + 4 × 15 + 4 × 10) ÷ 85 = 3.65.
Where the data comes from
- On time: the planned schedule against the daily and weekly reports.
- Quality: the handover defects list and work that had to be redone.
- Price and billing: bills matching the contract and measurements, no double billing.
- Safety: safety notes in the daily reports.
- Paperwork: delivery notes, certificates and bills complete and on time.
Common mistakes
- Rating from memory at the end instead of from the daily reports.
- Different criteria for each partner, so they cannot be compared.
- Ratings not shared with purchasing, so problem partners are used again.
- Rating price only.
The full guide is in How to build a construction cost report that catches overruns early. It has a free template (Excel or Google Sheets) and a checker that reads your own workbook.
Ready to use the Komander agents on your projects?
When your workbook is complete, apply for a pilot: we help connect your project data to the Finance, Cost and Scheduler agents and review the first reports with you.
Send to melwani@komander.ai. Your workbook check result is included when there is one; the workbook itself is not sent.
Common questions
How do I rate a subcontractor?
On fixed criteria: timeliness, quality, price and billing, safety and paperwork, each scored 1 to 5 with weights, from the project reports.
When is the rating done?
At the end of each partner’s work, summarised in the final project report.
What are the ratings for?
Choosing partners for the next project, and giving improvement notes to those kept on.