How Is A General Contractor Different From A Subcontractor?
While both roles are crucial for a successful project, a General Contractor (GC) is the project orchestrator and manager, whereas a Subcontractor is the specialized trade expert who executes the work.
Scope of Responsibility and Project Oversight
The primary difference between a General Contractor (GC) and a Subcontractor lies in their scope of responsibility for the overall project. The General Contractor assumes the role of the principal project manager and takes on the comprehensive legal and financial responsibility for the entire build. This includes serving as the sole point of contact for the client, managing the project's macro-level details, and ensuring everything is completed according to the architectural plans, budget, and schedule. The GC’s duties involve procuring permits, managing site logistics, controlling the budget, mitigating risk, and enforcing site-wide safety protocols. They are the leaders who coordinate all moving parts, ensuring the work of various trades aligns perfectly. In contrast, a Subcontractor’s responsibility is narrowly focused on their specific trade.
They are typically hired by and report directly to the General Contractor, focusing only on the execution of their specialized task, such as installing plumbing, electrical systems, or flooring. The Subcontractor is an expert in their craft, but they are not accountable for the overall timeline, budget, or coordination of other trades. This clear distinction allows the General Contractor to maintain absolute control over the quality and efficiency of the project. Laptiva acts as the responsible General Contractor, providing the seamless oversight that guarantees every project's success.
Contractual Relationship and Liability
The contractual framework clearly defines the relationship and level of liability for each entity. The General Contractor holds the primary contract directly with the client (the property owner). This contract makes the GC solely liable to the client for the timely and quality completion of the entire project. The GC is responsible for any resulting legal or financial consequences related to schedule overruns, budget failures, or structural defects across the whole project scope. Conversely, a Subcontractor does not have a direct contractual relationship with the client; their contract is with the General Contractor. This structure means the Subcontractor is only liable to the GC for the quality and completion of their specific portion of the work, and the GC handles all payments to them.
For example, if an issue arises with the tiling, the client addresses the General Contractor, who, in turn, manages the resolution with the tiling Subcontractor. This tiered liability structure simplifies the process for the client and channels all accountability to the single entity managing the project. Because Laptiva operates with this clear framework, clients benefit from a simplified experience where all complexities are managed under one professional roof, mitigating their personal risk and administrative burden.