Many homeowners ask us a familiar question:
“Do you use subcontractors or have your in-house crew?”
It’s a fair thing to ask, and it matters. Some assume that if a remodeling company relies on subcontractors, it means less control or lower quality. Maybe you’ve even heard someone say, “They sub everything out, so that’s bad.”
Let’s clear that up. Whether a remodeling company uses in-house employees, subcontractors, or a mix of both, what really matters is how the work is managed and who’s responsible for the final result.
What’s the Difference?
In-house crews are employees who work directly for the remodeling company. They’re on payroll, usually full-time, and handle the company’s core work such as carpentry, framing, or general labor.
Subcontractors, on the other hand, are independent professionals or small businesses who specialize in specific trades, like plumbing, electrical, tile, roofing, drywall, or flooring. They often work with multiple contractors and bring deep expertise to each project.
Many established remodeling companies, including Sherman General Contracting, use a mix of both approaches.
Why Some Homeowners Think Subcontractors Are a Red Flag
It’s understandable that the term “subcontractor” can make some homeowners nervous.
You might worry that:
- The remodeler isn’t fully involved in the work.
- Subcontractors won’t show up or coordinate properly.
- Quality might be inconsistent from trade to trade.
And truthfully, those problems can happen—but they’re not because subcontractors were used. They happen when the project isn’t managed well.
Good contractors have systems in place, maintain clear communication, and use trusted professionals they’ve worked with for years. Poor management is the problem, not the structure itself.
The Truth: Most Great Remodelers Use Both
Here’s something many homeowners don’t realize:
Even the best remodeling companies in Tampa Bay (and across the country) rely on subcontractors.
Why? Because specialization matters.
A professional tile installer does tile work every single day. The same goes for plumbers, electricians, or drywall crews. These specialists are masters of their craft—they know the materials, the techniques, and the codes inside and out.
By bringing in subcontractors who are experts in their field, your remodel benefits from that deep knowledge and precision. It’s a more efficient and often higher-quality way to get the job done.
The Advantages of Using Subcontractors
- Specialized expertise. You get professionals who focus solely on their trade.
- Higher quality. Specialists often deliver better results through repetition and skill.
- Efficiency. Work can move faster when multiple trades coordinate at once.
- Scalability. Your remodeler can take on projects of different sizes without stretching a small crew too thin.
- Cost control. You pay for expertise when it’s needed, not for a large year-round payroll.
The Advantages of In-House Crews
- Direct control. The contractor manages all scheduling and quality firsthand.
- Consistency. You see the same faces on site every day, all following the same standards.
- Communication. Coordination can be simpler since everyone’s part of the same internal team.
Each approach has its strengths—but the real magic happens when both are used strategically.
Our Approach at Sherman General Contracting
At Sherman General Contracting, we take a balanced approach that gives our clients the best of both worlds.
We have a small, dedicated in-house crew that handles project management and the day-to-day coordination on site. They’re the ones making sure every phase runs smoothly, and they jump in for hands-on work when needed, especially for finish details, smaller tasks, or anything that needs immediate attention to keep the project moving.
For trade-specific work, we partner with specialized subcontractors—professionals who focus on their specific trade every day. These include licensed experts for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, as well as trusted crews for drywall, tile, flooring, framing, and other large-scale or trade-specific work. Not every trade requires a state license (for example, tile work), but every subcontractor we use is vetted, experienced, and takes real pride in their craft.
This structure allows us to maintain tight project oversight and consistent communication, while ensuring each phase of your remodel is handled by someone who does that kind of work day in and day out. The result? A smoother process, higher quality, and a team that works together seamlessly to bring your vision to life.
What Really Matters: Management and Accountability
At the end of the day, the question isn’t “Do you use subcontractors?”
It’s “How are they managed?”
When you work with Sherman General Contracting, we’re your single point of contact from start to finish. We coordinate every trade, schedule inspections, ensure quality control, and make sure everyone on your job site meets our standards. You’ll never be left managing subs or chasing updates—we handle it all.
Bottom Line
Using subcontractors doesn’t mean cutting corners, it means using specialists who bring their best skills to your project. The important part is having a contractor who oversees every detail and ensures all those moving parts come together seamlessly.
At Sherman General Contracting, that’s exactly what we do. Whether it’s our own in-house team or our trusted trade partners, we treat everyone on your project like part of our crew—because to us, they are.
Thinking about starting your remodel and wondering which approach is best for your home? At Sherman General Contracting, we blend the strengths of in-house crews and trusted subcontractors to ensure every project runs smoothly and meets the highest standards