Contractor
A contractor is the party engaged under a building contract to carry out construction work, usually the licensed builder responsible for delivering the project on site.
The head contractor or builder holds the contract with the owner and takes responsibility for the works, including engaging and coordinating subcontractors, programming, site safety and compliance with the approved documents.
Subcontractors are engaged by the builder for specific trades, such as concreting, framing, electrical, plumbing and tiling. The owner's contractual relationship remains with the head contractor, not with individual trades.
In NSW, residential building work over the prescribed value must be carried out by a licensed contractor under a written contract with statutory warranties and home building compensation cover where applicable.