Thread by @antonia_mdprjct

A few weeks ago, there was some chatter around here around transparency in contracts & how that requirement is to blame for killing the trades in the US

I took some time to gather my thoughts b/c that claim is so far off, and there was so much to unpack, that I needed to regroup

So here are some thoughts on the trades and the industry in general in relationship to contracts:

1- there’s a labor shortage. It’s not a catchall excuse for everything in every type of construction project. Ppl are hiding behind this to pull some shenanigans.

2- transparency in contracts isn’t about price. It’s about fairness. Especially if it is based on terms that are previously agreed-upon

3-the golden rule in development is: he who holds the gold makes the rules. Ppl have the right to not work with others if they can’t agree to terms. Those terms have to be favorable to lenders, too.

4- being fair is a competitive advantage and the key to partnerships. This doesn’t mean you have to agree to things you’re uncomfortable with.

5- putting it all together: No, fair & transparent contracts are not at fault for labor shortages in some segments of the industry. Not even close (that’s a whole other subject on education, society & economics in the US).

If anything, clearer, more transparent practices are better for everyone and can help push for better terms & conditions for everyone involved (likely improving labor issues).

My mission: let’s stop perpetuating the idea that we have to cheat each other to make decent deals. Let’s sit at the table and talk about $$ with our project collaborators openly & honestly, ensuring we are all covered and fairly compensated.

Also: open book contracts are industry-standard for large projects and if you ask, they can also be for smaller projects. Nobody should be shy about sharing their margins.