Subcontractors

Subcontractors

A subcontractor (sub) is an individual or a firm that contracts with a General Contractor (You) to perform part or all of a specfic job. In your case you are technically the builder or general contractor, and you will build your house by subcontracting with others for specific jobs. You will pay for the project by setting a predetermined contract amount with each sub. This is important. You will have no hourly wage employees working for you, which means you will avoid all of the governmental red tape and taxes concerning employees. Your subcontractors are not considered to be employees.

Your Subcontractors and Professionals

Here is a list of the subcontractors and professional people you probably will be contracting with, listed generally in the order in which you will need them. I've written about some of these subcontractors and the work that they do in more detail, so click through the links to get more information.

▪ Site supervisor
▪ Construction manager
▪ Real estate lawyer
▪ Real estate broker for land search
▪ Loan officer at banks, credit unions, or mortgage lenders
▪ House designer or architect
▪ Structural engineer
▪ Licensed fee appraiser
▪ Framing carpenter (your key sub, to be lined up early)
▪ Surveyor
▪ Grading and excavation contractor
▪ Soil Treatment firm
▪ Footing contractor
▪ Building suppliers
▪ Brick masonry contractor to build a block foundation
▪ Concrete subcontractor to pour concrete walls, and the slab or concrete floors, as well as drives, walks and approaches.
▪ Waterproofing contractor
▪ Electrical contractor
▪ Plumbing contractor (also well and septic system, if needed)
▪ Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractor
▪ Roofing contractor
▪ Insulation contractor
▪ Drywall contractor
▪ Painting contractor
▪ Finish carpenter (Installs kitchen and other built-in cabinets and trim around doors and windows. This work is often, but not always, done by main carpentry sub.)
▪ Flooring, carpet, and countertop contractor
▪ Tile contractor
▪ Cleaning crew contractor
▪ Landscape contractor
▪ Shell Builders

Related Subcontractor Articles on Build Your Own House:

Finding Your Subcontractors
Subcontractor Bids
Working with Subcontractors
Subcontractors in the Winter
General Contractor Myth
Get Good Subcontractors
Hire Professionals
Subcontractors Bid High
Subcontractor Insurance
Sucontractors are not Employees
Working for your Subcontractors