What does "subcontracting" refer to in residential construction?

In the context of residential construction, "subcontracting" refers to the practice of hiring another contractor to complete a specific portion of the work. This allows the primary contractor to delegate certain tasks to specialists who have the expertise and resources to complete them effectively. For instance, a general contractor might subcontract electrical work to a licensed electrician or plumbing tasks to a plumbing contractor. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also ensures that skilled professionals handle specialized tasks, leading to higher quality work and adherence to safety regulations.

On the other hand, managing all aspects of construction by one contractor typically describes a general contractor's role without subcontracting any work, which is different from the definition of subcontracting. Employing workers directly for a project refers to hiring labor for construction tasks rather than hiring another contractor, which does not align with the concept of subcontracting. Outsourcing materials from suppliers is about sourcing materials needed for construction, not related to the concept of subcontracting labor or tasks.