Temp-to-Hire in Construction: A Smart Solution for Candidate Vetting
June 16, 2025
Temp-to-hire—or contract-to-hire—provides companies of all sizes with a strategic staffing solution. For construction companies, infrastructure powerhouses, and even GCs and subcontractors, temp-to-hire enables project managers to initially hire team members on a contract of temporary basis, making it a great way to fill temporary positions while finding suitable candidates for long-term employment.
In today's construction market, having access to a pipeline of temporary workers helps your company adapt to fluctuating staffing needs. You may have taken on a large project and don't have enough laborers, or you might need to fill a more specialized role. If so, a willingness to hire temporary staff (and access to skilled trades) could be the solution you seek.
Benefits of Temp-to-Hire Staffing
In the construction industry, labor shortages are one of the biggest hurdles companies face—and can quickly become one of the costliest.
Flexibility in Hiring to Support Future Growth
The ability to plan for future growth will help you take advantage of more opportunities. Part of that planning is having enough staff with the proper training and skills. Access to temp-to-hire construction staffing can help you find and access these workers when needed, allowing you to take on more projects or those that are larger in scope. This flexibility can help you complete more work, reduce delays, and make more money — all while building a reputation based on reliable, high-quality work.
Reduced Hiring Risk and Cost Savings
Did you know that the average cost of a bad hire is 30% of the employee's first-year earnings? It’s true.
Temp-to-hire staffing strategies help lower the financial risk of hiring, as you can review how someone performs over a short-term period before committing to a full-time agreement. Think of the temp-to-hire process as an extended, hands-on interview.
Bonus: When you work with a staffing partner experienced in temporary construction hiring, you also gain a dedicated team of experts in screening and vetting the candidates you want to hire.
Key Considerations for Construction Candidate Vetting
When vetting construction candidates, even if only temporary hires, you want to ensure they will add value. In the best-case scenario, a temporary worker will be an asset, helping you secure and retain an excellent employee. Unsure where to begin? Here are some suggestions.
- Identify necessary skills and experience: Whether someone has been working with your construction company for two months or twenty years, you want a capable crew. The more skilled and experienced they are, the higher the quality of their work will be. These workers will also be able to meet deadlines, as they are confident in the necessary steps to complete the job.
- Ensuring safety and compliance: In construction, workers need the right skills and knowledge to produce quality results and help ensure safety. For example, hiring framers who don't experience working at heights or using power tools can be dangerous. Workers must understand their responsibilities regarding compliance, building codes, etc.
- Cultural fit within the team: When you hire a temporary worker, you can see how they fit within the larger construction crew. Do they work well with others and share similar values? Being transparent about your company culture is essential to help find the right candidates, especially if your goal is to find long-term employees from the temp-to-hire experience.
How Temp Construction Staffing Partners Contribute
Working with an expert temp construction staffing partner offers several advantages, such as.
- Providing qualified candidates quickly so you can adapt to any market or project changes.
- Streamlining the recruitment process to find and hire the right candidates quickly, which is important when you take on a large construction project and need additional workers right away.
- Offering employer support and resources concerning hiring qualified candidates, insurance, compliance concerns, admin tasks, payroll, scheduling, etc.
Is Temp-to-Hire the Right Strategy for Your Project?
Temp-to-hire is a good strategy if you seek flexible staffing solutions for your construction projects. This approach to hiring is beneficial when you take projects with varying durations or need specialized skills. You can also hire temporary workers to fill sudden or long-term absences, helping you prevent delays. To access the right hirers the first time, it's best to work with a staffing agency partner you can trust.
HireQuest understands the demands of construction jobs, as well as the types of skills required to complete high-quality work on time. Together, we can build a winning team. Contact us to discuss temp-to-hire strategies so you can access candidates temporarily before making a final hiring decision.