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Congratulations for growing your business to where you have to ask this question! I am a sole proprietor and I have been pondering the same question. I recently heard advice that suggested hiring your opposite, somebody that likes to do the things you don't like to do. Thus, freeing up your time to allow you to work in your expertise, develop your authority, and to further develop your client base. Personally, I see my first employee as somebody who can develop marketing, proof, process agency communications, prepare proposals and invoices, assemble color boards, and other office management tasks. My goal with that employee would be to develop my business to where I am confident that I can hire professional staff. I see there being a loyalty risk to any form of contracted, retainer, or temporary work. If the job is temporary they will always be looking for the next gig. Based on your sub contracting history, I'm curious if you agree. Thanks for the discussion topic. ------------------------------------------- Steven Byars AIA Owner Byars Architectural Services Davis CA -------------------------------------------
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2012 13:17
From: S. Jones
Subject: Contract Employee or Sub Contractor?
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Project Delivery and Practice Management Member Conversations .
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I have a one man firm where up until recently all I required was part-time, contract labor and contract architects whom worked in my office space to complete projects.
Fortunately, I have picked up enough work to consider a full-time architect to work with me as a Project Manager.
I have a guy working for me that is doing a good job, however, in this unpredictable economy I am still reticent to hire this person full time. At the same time the strategy of contracting PM work has some issues. For example:
- If he is contracting then he could contract with others at the same time.
- Keeping track of hours is hard to do and it also runs the risk of busting the budget if the hours get out of hand on a fixed fee deal
- Do I give him business cards with my firm on them?
- Cell phone cost, etc.
Other options I have considered are:
- putting him on a retainer
- asking him to come up with a fixed price to do the whole project and then marking it up as required to cover my overhead and make a little profit.
- salaried employment contract for a six month period or so to be extended as possible.
Any input would be appreciated.
Berry
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S. Jones AIA
Owner
S Berry Jones - Architects
Memphis TN
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