What makes a T&M contractor worth hiring?
"Time and materials" covers two very different kinds of work: correcting a troubled site and handling variable work that the contract already anticipates. Owners should evaluate them differently.
In the first case, something has gone wrong. In the second, weather, later trades, or an uncertain quantity creates legitimate extra work. The billing method may be the same, but the reason for the work is not.
Type one: corrective T&M
This is corrective support after prior work failed, a DEQ report identified a problem, or stormwater controls did not hold. We start by walking the site, reviewing the available model and reports, and finding where the previous work stopped or went off course.
The contractor then needs enough field and engineering experience to work backward through the site, diagnose the cause, and build a practical recovery sequence. Responsiveness matters because owners are often working against an inspection or schedule deadline.
"We'll give it a T&M budget number and try to beat it." — Jason McConnell
Type two: fair, expected T&M
This is the closeout or variable work anticipated by the contract. A later mechanical or electrical trade may damage finished work, weather may change site conditions, or the final quantity may not be known until the work is exposed.
Kevin Smith's standard is straightforward: bill the work because the contract calls for it, but do not treat T&M as an opportunity to take advantage of the customer. Our goal is to keep production moving and treat the budget as a target to beat.
Why the distinction matters to you
A contractor who advertises "a lot of T&M" can create the wrong impression: weak control of the original scope or a billing model that rewards more hours. Ask instead how the contractor diagnoses corrective work, sets a budget, documents the change, and maintains production.
If a contractor can explain the difference clearly and tell you which one your situation is, that's a good sign you've found one worth hiring.
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