Quality · Maintenance
Maintenance tender: how to answer questions about managing subcontractors
Prepared by TenderChecker. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. General guidance only — every buyer's own instructions and criteria take priority.
Short answer
Explain how subcontractors are selected and checked, how their work is supervised and inspected, and how they're paid.
Make clear you remain responsible for their work.
What the buyer might be asking
- How are subcontractors selected?
- How is their work controlled?
- How are they paid?
Worked example (fictional)
Everything in this example — company, people and numbers — is invented for illustration.
Example question: Describe how you will manage any subcontractors used on this contract. (Max 400 words)
Fictional context: Fictional bidder: Keystone Property Maintenance Ltd. Supplied fictional notes: approved list with insurance checks; supervisor inspects a sample of jobs; pays within 30 days.
Weak draft (fictional)
We only use trusted subcontractors who meet our high standards.
What the draft misses
- 'Trusted' undefined; no controls.
A better version (using only the fictional facts above)
Subcontractors join our approved list after [insert checks, including insurance]. Our supervisor inspects a sample of their jobs [insert proportion/frequency]. We pay subcontractors within 30 days [insert how this is monitored]. We remain responsible to the buyer for all subcontracted work.
Bracketed text marks facts the bidder still needs to supply. Never fill these with invented figures.
Evidence checklist
- ☐ Selection checks
- ☐ Inspection sampling
- ☐ Payment terms
- ☐ Accountability statement
Common mistakes
- Vague 'trusted' claims
- Not accepting responsibility