Subcontractor Module

The Subcontractor Module tracks all work performed by subcontractors: concrete pumping, joint sawing, drilling, and other specialty services. ForgeX includes a comprehensive concrete pump catalog and automatically applies buffer markup.

Common Subcontractor Services

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Concrete Pumping

Most common subcontractor service

Includes:

Pump truck and operator
Hose and boom
Setup and cleanup
Charged by hour + CY

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Joint Sawing

Control joints and saw cuts

Includes:

Saw and operator
Blades and fuel
Layout and cutting
Charged by linear foot

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Core Drilling

Penetrations and anchors

Includes:

Core drill and bits
Operator
Cleanup and patching
Charged by hole or inch

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Specialty Work

Other subcontracted services

Examples:

Post-tensioning
Testing and inspection
Concrete scanning
Sealing and waterproofing

Adding Subcontractor Items

Step 1: Navigate to Subcontractor Tab

Open your scope
Click the "Subcontractor" tab
Click "Add Subcontractor" button

Step 2: Select Service Type

ForgeX supports two main subcontractor types:

Option A: Pump Service (from catalog)

Select from comprehensive pump catalog
Auto-fills rates ($/hour, $/CY, travel cost, minimum hours)
Most accurate for concrete pumping

Option B: Other Service (manual entry)

Enter service description
Enter quantity and rate
Use for all non-pump subs

Concrete Pumping (from Catalog)

Pump Catalog Overview

ForgeX includes a catalog of local concrete pump vendors with current pricing:

Pump Types:

Boom Pumps: 32m, 38m, 42m, 47m, 52m reach
Line Pumps: Ground-line pumps for smaller jobs
Specialty Pumps: High-pressure, trailer-mounted

Selecting a Pump

Choose Vendor

Select vendor from dropdown (e.g., "ABC Concrete Pumping")

Select Pump Size

Choose based on reach needed:

32m: Standard residential
38-42m: Most commercial
47-52m: High-rise, long reach

Review Rates

ForgeX displays pump rates:

Cost per hour: $150-250/hr
Cost per CY: $8-15/CY (some vendors)
Travel cost: $200-400
Minimum hours: 2-4 hours

Enter Hours and Volume

Hours: Estimated pump time
Volume (CY): Total concrete to be pumped

Pump Cost Calculation

Hourly_Charge = Hours × Cost_Per_Hour
Volume_Charge = Volume_CY × Cost_Per_CY
Base_Cost = Hourly_Charge + Volume_Charge + Travel_Cost

# Apply minimum hours if applicable
If Hours < Minimum_Hours:
    Hourly_Charge = Minimum_Hours × Cost_Per_Hour

Total_Before_Buffer = Hourly_Charge + Volume_Charge + Travel_Cost

Example: 42m Boom Pump

Vendor: ABC Concrete Pumping
Hours: 3 hours
Volume: 150 CY
Cost per hour: $200/hr
Cost per CY: $10/CY
Travel: $300
Minimum: 2 hours

Calculation:

Hourly: 3 × $200 = $600
Volume: 150 × $10 = $1,500
Travel: $300
Subtotal: $2,400

Buffer Markup

ForgeX applies a buffer markup to subcontractor costs to account for:

Quote fluctuations
Last-minute changes
Contingency

Buffer calculation:

Buffer_Amount = Subtotal × Buffer_Percent
Total_Cost = Subtotal + Buffer_Amount

Example (continued, 10% buffer):

Subtotal: $2,400
Buffer (10%): $240
Total: $2,640

note

Default buffer is 10% but can be adjusted per item or in bid settings.

Estimating Pump Time

How Long Does Pumping Take?

Pumping rate depends on:

Concrete mix (slump, aggregate size)
Pump size and line length
Access and placement complexity
Crew efficiency

Typical Pumping Rates:

Scenario	CY per Hour	Notes
Ideal conditions	60-80 CY/hr	Good access, flat placement
Standard slab	40-60 CY/hr	Normal commercial conditions
Elevated deck	30-50 CY/hr	Higher placement, more careful
Complex formwork	20-40 CY/hr	Walls, columns, congested rebar
Long line/high rise	15-30 CY/hr	Extended reach, slow flow

Calculating Pump Hours

Hours = Volume_CY ÷ Pumping_Rate
# Add setup/cleanup time
Total_Hours = Hours + 0.5 to 1 hour

Example: 200 CY elevated slab

Pumping rate: 40 CY/hr
Pump time: 200 ÷ 40 = 5 hours
Setup/cleanup: 0.5 hour
Total: 5.5 hours → 6 hours (round up)

tip

Always round up pump hours. Better to overestimate than pay overtime for pump waiting.

Minimum Hours

Most pump companies have minimum charges:

Pump Type	Typical Minimum
Line pump	2 hours
Small boom (32-38m)	3 hours
Large boom (42m+)	4 hours

Example: Small 50 CY pour

Actual pump time: 1.5 hours
Minimum: 3 hours
Billed: 3 hours (you pay minimum)

Joint Sawing Service

Control joints (saw cuts) prevent random cracking in slabs.

When to Saw Cut

Timing: 4-12 hours after pour (when concrete is "green" but firm enough)

Spacing: Depends on slab thickness

4" slab: 8-10 ft spacing
5" slab: 10-12 ft spacing
6" slab: 12-15 ft spacing
8" slab: 15-20 ft spacing

Adding Joint Sawing

Select Service Type

Service: "Joint Sawing" or "Saw Cutting"

Calculate Linear Feet

For a grid pattern:

Longitudinal_Cuts = (Length ÷ Spacing) × Width
Transverse_Cuts = (Width ÷ Spacing) × Length
Total_LF = Longitudinal_Cuts + Transverse_Cuts

Example: 100' × 80' slab, 12' spacing

Longitudinal: (100 ÷ 12) × 80 = 667 LF
Transverse: (80 ÷ 12) × 100 = 667 LF
Total: 1,334 LF

Enter Quantity and Rate

Quantity: 1,334 LF
Rate: $1.25 - $2.00 per LF (typical)
Cost: $1,668 - $2,668

Apply Buffer

Subtotal: $2,000 (using $1.50/LF)
Buffer (10%): $200
Total: $2,200

Joint sawing rates vary by:

Slab thickness (deeper = more expensive)
Hardness (aggregate type)
Access (indoor vs outdoor)
Timing (rush job = premium)

Core Drilling

Core drilling creates penetrations for pipes, electrical, HVAC, etc.

Core Drilling Pricing

Charged by:

Option A: Per Hole

Flat rate per hole (typical for standard sizes)
Example: $75-150 per hole for 4" diameter

Option B: Per Inch

Charged by diameter × depth
Example: $2-5 per inch
6" diameter × 12" deep = 72 inches × $3 = $216

Adding Core Drilling

Count Holes from Plans

Review plans for penetrations:

Plumbing: 4-6" diameter
Electrical conduit: 2-3" diameter
HVAC: 8-12" diameter
Equipment anchors: 1-2" diameter

Group by Size

2" holes: 15 qty
4" holes: 8 qty
6" holes: 4 qty
12" holes: 2 qty

Enter as Separate Items

Item 1: 2" Core Drilling

Quantity: 15
Rate: $50/hole
Cost: $750

Item 2: 4" Core Drilling

Quantity: 8
Rate: $100/hole
Cost: $800

(Continue for all sizes)

Add Buffer

Subtotal: $2,200 (all holes)
Buffer (10%): $220
Total: $2,420

tip

Get quotes early: Core drilling pricing varies significantly between vendors. Get 2-3 quotes for large quantities.

Other Subcontractor Services

Post-Tensioning

For elevated decks with post-tension cables:

Pricing:

Charged per pound of cable
Or per square foot of deck
Typical: $2-4 per SF

Example: 5,000 SF deck

Rate: $2.50/SF
Cost: 5,000 × $2.50 = $12,500

Testing & Inspection

Required by building codes:

Services:

Concrete slump testing: $75-150 per test
Cylinder breaks (28-day): $50-100 per set
Rebar inspection: $500-1,000 per day
Soil compaction: $200-400 per test

Example: Commercial slab

Slump tests (3): $300
Cylinders (6 sets): $450
Rebar inspection (1 day): $750
Total: $1,500

Concrete Scanning

GPR (ground-penetrating radar) scanning to locate rebar, PT cables, conduits:

Pricing:

Hourly: $150-250/hr
Per SF: $2-5/SF
Minimum: $500-1,000

Sealing & Waterproofing

For below-grade walls, foundations:

Pricing:

Waterproofing membrane: $2-6 per SF
Sealant application: $1-3 per LF

Subcontractor Waste Factor

Unlike materials, subcontractor services don't typically have "waste," but you should consider:

When to Add Buffer

High buffer (15-20%):

First-time vendor (unknown reliability)
Complex work (high risk of overruns)
Rush timeline (premium pricing likely)
Volatile pricing (fuel surcharges, etc.)

Standard buffer (10-12%):

Established vendor relationship
Standard work
Normal timeline
Stable pricing

Low buffer (5-8%):

Long-term vendor partnership
Simple, straightforward work
Firm quote with locked pricing
Large volume (negotiated rates)

note

Buffer is NOT the same as profit margin. Buffer is a contingency within the subcontractor cost. Your overall profit is applied later in the cost rollup.

Getting Subcontractor Quotes

Quote Request Process

Send RFI (Request for Information)

Provide plans and specifications
Indicate scope of work clearly
Specify timeline and milestones
Request quote by specific date

Receive Quotes

Get quotes from 2-3 vendors minimum

Compare:

Price (not just total, but unit costs)
Scope (what's included vs excluded)
Timeline (can they meet schedule?)
References (past project experience)

Clarify Scope

Ask questions:

Does price include mobilization?
Is travel time included?
What are payment terms?
Are there minimums or maximums?
What's the quote valid until?

Enter in ForgeX

Use actual quoted price
Note quote expiration date
Reference quote number in description
Apply appropriate buffer

Quote Comparison Example

Concrete Pumping for 200 CY Pour:

Vendor	Hourly	Per CY	Travel	Minimum	Total
ABC Pumping	$200/hr	$10/CY	$300	3 hr	$3,300
XYZ Pumps	$180/hr	$12/CY	$350	4 hr	$3,470
Best Pump Co	$225/hr	$8/CY	$250	2 hr	$3,200

Winner: Best Pump Co (lowest total)

Common Subcontractor Scenarios

Scenario 1: Residential Slab Pump

Job: 75 CY house slab, good access

Select Pump

Vendor: ABC Concrete Pumping
Pump: 32m Boom

Estimate Time

Volume: 75 CY
Rate: 60 CY/hr (good conditions)
Pump time: 75 ÷ 60 = 1.25 hours
Setup/cleanup: 0.5 hour
Total: 1.75 hours → 2 hours

Check Minimum

Minimum: 3 hours
Billed: 3 hours (minimum applies)

Calculate Cost

Hourly: 3 × $180 = $540
Volume: 75 × $10 = $750
Travel: $300
Subtotal: $1,590
Buffer (10%): $159
Total: $1,749

Scenario 2: Elevated Deck with Joints

Job: 10,000 SF elevated deck, 6" thick, 150 CY

Concrete Pumping

Pump: 42m Boom (high reach)
Hours: 150 ÷ 35 (slower) + 1 = 5.3 → 6 hours
Hourly: 6 × $200 = $1,200
Volume: 150 × $12 = $1,800
Travel: $350
Subtotal: $3,350
Buffer: $335
Pump Total: $3,685

Joint Sawing

Spacing: 12 ft
Length cuts: (200 ÷ 12) × 50 = 833 LF
Width cuts: (50 ÷ 12) × 200 = 833 LF
Total: 1,666 LF
Rate: $1.75/LF (6" thick)
Subtotal: $2,916
Buffer: $292
Sawing Total: $3,208

Total Subcontractor

Pumping: $3,685
Sawing: $3,208
Total: $6,893

Scenario 3: Commercial Project with Testing

Job: Large commercial slab, multiple tests required

Concrete Pumping

(Same as previous examples)

Total: $5,000

Testing Services

Slump Tests:

Quantity: 5 tests
Rate: $100/test
Cost: $500

Cylinder Breaks:

Quantity: 8 sets
Rate: $75/set
Cost: $600

Rebar Inspection:

Quantity: 2 days
Rate: $800/day
Cost: $1,600
Subtotal: $2,700
Buffer: $270
Testing Total: $2,970

Total Subcontractor

Pumping: $5,000
Testing: $2,970
Total: $7,970