What is a contractor?

A contractor is a person or company that carries out building work for a client in return for payment. The contractor takes responsibility for the execution of the project, including the deployment of skilled workers, materials and plant.

What does a contractor do?

A contractor manages the entire construction process or part of it:

1. Prepare a quotation — calculate a price based on the specification or drawings
2. Plan — create a programme of works and coordinate subcontractors
3. Execute — carry out the building work with their own tradespeople or subcontractors
4. Coordinate — manage all parties: carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians
5. Hand over — deliver the completed work to the client

Application

Main contractor

Takes on the entire project and bears overall responsibility. Engages subcontractors where specialist work is needed (services, roofing, decorating).

Subcontractor

Carries out a specific portion of the work on behalf of the main contractor — for example, an electrician or a plumber.

Small works contractor

Focuses on smaller projects: renovations, extensions, garden buildings and sheds.

Choosing a good contractor

• References — ask for examples of previously completed projects
• Insurance — public liability and contractor’s all-risk insurance
• Registration — check that the company is properly registered
• Itemised quotation — a clear quotation with a breakdown of costs

Common pitfalls

• Choosing on price alone — the cheapest is not always the best
• No written contract — always put agreements in writing
• Paying too much upfront — pay in stages based on progress

Related terms

• Tendering
• Building specification
• Planning permission
• Building code
• Subcontractor

Learn more about building terms in our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.