Subcontractor
A trade contractor hired by the GC, not by the owner.
What it means
A subcontractor is a contractor hired by the general contractor (not by the owner) to perform a specific portion of a project — electrical, plumbing, drywall, roofing. Subs have no direct contract with the owner, which is why preliminary notices and lien rights matter so much to them, and their subcontracts often 'flow down' obligations from the prime contract they may never have seen.
Why it matters before you sign
As a sub, your contract may quietly bind you to prime-contract terms you were never shown — ask for the flow-down documents before you sign.
In a contract, it looks like this
The GC hired an electrical subcontractor whose subcontract flowed down the prime contract's insurance and dispute-resolution requirements.
This definition is a general, educational explanation — not legal advice. XOsign provides AI-assisted document tools and does not provide legal advice; consider consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Requirements vary by state.
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