What is the difference between a general contractor and a subcontractor?

# General Contractor vs. Subcontractor

General Contractor (GC) is the main point of contact for your project. They're responsible for the overall job—managing the timeline, budget, permits, inspections, and coordinating all workers. When you hire a GC, you sign a contract with them, and they're legally liable for the project's completion and quality. They typically handle larger projects like home renovations, new construction, or commercial builds.

Subcontractor is hired by the general contractor to handle specific trades or tasks—think electricians, plumbers, roofers, or framers. They work under the GC's supervision and are specialists in their field. You usually don't contract directly with them (unless you're hiring one for a small, specific job), and the GC ensures they're properly licensed and insured.

The practical difference: If something goes wrong, you have one main person to contact—the GC. They're your buffer and project manager. Subcontractors are the hands-on specialists who do the actual work.

For smaller projects, you might hire subcontractors directly without a general contractor, which can save money but requires you to manage schedules and coordinate between trades yourself. For larger, complex projects, a GC is essential since they handle the complexity and assume the risk.