Subcontractors and trade contractors
Kind: Who supply specialized knowledge and labor
Tag: specialized scope, crews, field execution
Role in the system
Trade contractors are where much of the physical building expertise lives. They also do plenty of information work: estimating, interpreting drawings, proposing scope clarifications, sequencing crews, and documenting what was installed.
Personas
| Persona | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Trade estimator | Info + decisions | Prices a specific scope by reading documents and converting them into labor, materials, and exclusions. |
| Trade project manager | Info + decisions | Coordinates procurement, schedule commitments, and problem resolution for the trade firm. |
| Foreman / first-line supervisor | Hybrid | Allocates crews, reads plans, solves field issues, documents progress, and communicates with GC and inspectors. |
| Carpenter | Hands-on | Builds frameworks and structural / finish elements from plans and dimensions. |
| Electrician / plumber | Hands-on + licensed scope | Install core building systems that are frequently inspected and regulated. |
| Laborer / helper | Hands-on | Moves material, supports trades, and keeps work areas functioning. |
Receives / consumes
- Bid packages and drawings
- Subcontracts and site schedule
- Field instructions / clarifications
- Inspection timing
- Material release dates
Produces / sends
- Quotes
- Crew plans
- Installed work
- Change requests
- Inspection-ready scope
- Punch completion
Key decisions
- What is included / excluded in trade price
- How to crew the work
- When to ask for clarification
- How to recover when sequence slips
Related terms
Related notes
Evidence
- S15 - BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Cost estimators, S20 - BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Carpenters, S21 - BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Electricians, S22 - BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, S23 - BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Construction laborers and helpers, S32 - ONET - First-line supervisors of construction trades