Vendor Management

Before your first job with any vendor, collect:

  1. **W-9** (required by IRS for 1099-NEC if you pay them more than $600/year)
  2. **Certificate of Insurance** - Naming you as additional insured, minimum $1M general liability
  3. **Business license** (if their trade requires one - electrical, plumbing, HVAC)

Rate after every job. 1-5 stars on quality, communication, price. After 5 jobs you'll know who your A-tier vendors are.

Renewal calendar. COIs expire annually. Block payments if COI has expired. Auto-email vendor 30 days before expiration.

Preferred-vendor list. Maintain a top-3 per trade. Loyalty gets you faster response times and better pricing.