If you are self-employed with no other employees, there’s nobody else to blame for business failures but yourself. However, if you hire contractors, things can sometimes get tricky
For one thing, you relinquish some control of your schedule. Projects you are working on that depend partly on them must be put on hold if they get behind.
Additionally, you have another person’s feelings and attitudes in the mix. That may be fine if you get along well. But, it can become much harder if your relationship with your contractor goes bad.
Take a Breath
Rather than immediately calling or messaging your contractor, take a breath first. If you respond to them when you’re angry, you might say or do something you will regret later.
You must also consider any contracts you have with them. Rash actions could cause you to violate a contract resulting in lost revenue for your business.
That being said, you shouldn’t let contractors take advantage of you either. Instead, give yourself an hour, or even a day or two, to cool down. Then, you will be able to collect your thoughts and approach them with less emotion. This is a better way to handle relationships with contractors that go bad.
Don’t Let it Slide
When some part of the relationship isn’t working out, don’t just let it go. Even if you don’t like conflict it could make things worse in the long run if the problem isn’t addressed.
Alternatively, talk with them about it in a non-confrontational way. Explain your side of the issue and why it’s a problem. Your contractor may gain a better understanding of why their actions, or inactions, are a problem.
Give Them a Deadline
To better handle relationships with contractors, give them a deadline for fixing behaviors or incorrect work. This way they know what to expect and when corrections are due.
But, of course, to get some meat behind your deadline you may have to attach consequences. This is especially true if it isn’t the first occurrence of the problem.
Consequences could be spelled out in a contract so there is no question of the actions you’ll take. This makes it clear to them that you mean business. It also relieves you of stress because all you have to do is follow the contract. The rest is up to them.
Quit Giving Them Work
Another action you could take when relationships with contractors go bad is to quit giving them work. Find yourself a new contractor and present a contract to prevent repeat mistakes.
Do Some Self-reflection
Have you stopped to consider that when things with contractors are going badly you could be problem? Perhaps you made a mistake when you hired this contractor. Or, maybe you are too demanding and need to back off a little.
Try focusing on yourself to see if you could change your own viewpoint and give them a little slack. Obviously this tactic won’t work if the problem is their work rather than your actual working relationship with them.
Treat Them Respectfully
No matter how you handle relationships with contractors that go bad, you should always treat them respectfully. There’s no excuse for rudeness no matter what the situation is. Remember, if you treat them poorly that reflects badly on you rather than on them.
When relationships with contractors aren’t working, you don’t have to put up with it. There are actions you can take to make your business run better. Try a few of these tips the next time you are having contractor problems.
