A Subcontractor is any person or business entity under contract with a general contractor (GC) to perform a specific portion of a project. Subcontractors are independent contractors performing services for said GC and not the Owner. If you are the owner, it is important to note that any needed changes, questions, or issues are brought up with the GC as they are who you hired to complete the project.
Subcontractors are also known as Specialty Contractors (Plumbing, HVAC, Electric, Painters, Masons, etc…) or even as Trusted Trade Partners.
A person or organization providing supplies & materials only to a project are not “Subcontractors” but rather “Suppliers” which is also important to note for lien releases. Third Party verifiers & inspectors fall in a unique grey area & would generally only fall under the “subcontractor” arena if they are under contract for an entire development or all of a companies work. In many cases while a verifier may do all the inspections for a builder, it is generally not done under contract to help eliminate any perceived conflicts of interest.
