A subcontractor is anyone who provides labor or services on a construction project and was hired by someone other than the owner. Subcontractors perform a portion of the work that contributes to the overall project—for example HVAC, windows, or painting. As a result, subcontractors often help reduce project risks because they bring expertise that the general contractor may not have.
On a construction project, some common subcontractors include roofers, plumbers, and electricians. Whether these subcontractors are sole proprietorships or larger companies, they will sign a subcontractor agreement with the general contractor. This agreement will lay out the exact scope of work that the subcontractor is expected to perform.

Do you need a contractor or a subcontractor?

If you’re a large client working on a large construction project, you’d hire a contractor for the job — and on a typical construction project, that contractor will hire subcontractors to help perform specialty construction work and complete the project.