[derstander]

Alternatively you could think of the value added as the general contractor is you loaning the subcontractor your reputation. Certainly that reputation should be on the line if the sub (and by extension the general) fails to deliver.

Though from what I hear this isn’t necessarily the case in construction / home improvement.

But in any case, if you can’t close the deal yourself, 70-85% of something sounds better than 100% of nothing.

My reputation is worth a fair amount to me, but I’ve never been a general or sub contractor though so my opinion is probably pretty naïve.