MandE Connect is a free service that lets contractors access a database of thousands of subcontractors, with the aim of making it easier to find qualified and reliable electrical, plumbing, heating or ventilating professionals.
Contractors create their own profile and a job with specific criteria. Subcontractors produce and place their own competencies and skill sets on the site for the contractor to read and decide whether they meet their criteria.
“The job doesn’t get posted anywhere,” says Steve Bancroft, founder of MandE Connect and the boss of SBE Electrical (pictured). “No-one else sees it other than the contractor who created it and the subby they offer it to. The subby then decides whether to accept or decline the offer within a timeframe set by the contractor. Once the subby accepts, the two parties are connected and can then contact each other to make arrangements and discuss the job.”
Different to a recruitment agency, MandE Connect cuts out the middleman when looking for prospective subcontractors. The idea is to eliminate the commission charged by agencies, which results in an elevated hourly rate that contractors must pay.
“Subbies post their competencies on the site then wait for the call,” adds Steve. “It’s that simple. No middleman’s fees for the contractor to stump up and the subbies receive the full hourly rate for the work. Everyone wins.”
