The construction field consists of various roles and responsibilities that contribute to the successful completion of a given project. Two of the most common categories are general contractors (GCs) and specialty contractors (SCs).

Understanding the duties of general contractors and specialty contractors is essential for executing project scope on time, on budget, safely, ethically, and of the highest quality.

Whether you’re a current construction professional or a construction management student, knowing how these roles differ can help produce clearer communication, better project coordination, and more efficient management.

Learn about the key roles and distinctions of a general contractor vs. specialty contractor across various aspects of project management.

General Contractor vs. Specialty Contractor: A Breakdown of Roles and Responsibilities

To drill down into key differences between the two categories, we will focus on the areas of project ownership, risk, responsibilities, liability, safety, and ethics.

1. Project Ownership

General Contractor

The general contractor operates as the main manager of a construction project. The project owner hires them to oversee the entire construction process from beginning to end. This means they coordinate all parts of the construction process and ensure the project meets deadlines, quality standards, and budget expectations.

Specialty Contractor

A specialty contractor, on the other hand, is an expert in a specific trade. Some examples include electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals, and roofers. They are hired directly by the general contractor, project owner, or another party to handle specialized tasks within the project. Their role is project-specific rather than all-encompassing.

• Key Difference: General contractors manage the overall project, while specialty contractors focus on technical aspects of the job.

2. Risk

General Contractor

General contractors typically bear significant risks because they are accountable for the project’s overall success in managing the project scope and coordinating efforts with various types of contractors.

GCs are responsible for hiring subcontractors (including specialty contractors), verifying that subs have the appropriate contractor licensing, managing delays, ensuring compliance with regulations and local governments, and resolving any issues that arise during construction. Some of these issues may include financial and legal risks.

Specialty Contractor

Specialty contractors carry risks specific to their area of expertise. For example, an electrician assumes risks associated with electrical installations, such as code compliance and operational safety. Because their responsibilities are narrower than those of the GC, their exposure to project-wide risks is lower.

• Key Difference: General contractors face broader risks related to the entire project, while specialty contractors deal with risks directly tied to their specialized trade.

3. Responsibilities

General Contractor

A GC oversees the construction timeline, budget, and workflow, ensuring everything stays on track. They coordinate and manage all subcontractors involved in the project while maintaining clear communication with the property owner or other stakeholders.

The manager ensures full compliance with building codes, permits, and regulations throughout the process. Ultimately, they are responsible for delivering the finished project within the agreed-upon scope.

Specialty Contractor

SCs perform unique tasks such as wiring, plumbing, or carpentry, offering technical expertise and detailed execution in their respective fields. They coordinate with general contractors to ensure that timelines and quality standards are met.

Additionally, because SCs have extensive training under their belt, they may provide input on materials or methods specific to their trade.

• Key Difference: GCs handle high-level planning and coordination, while specialty contractors focus on executing specific aspects of the construction project.

4. Liability

General Contractor

General contractors hold top-level liability for the entire project. This includes financial risks, legal issues, and any accidents or damages that happen on-site. They must carry insurance to protect against these risks, including liability and workers’ compensation.

Specialty Contractor

Specialty contractors assume liability only within their specific scope of work. For example, if an HVAC contractor installs a faulty system, they are responsible for rectifying that issue. However, they are not liable for project-wide issues outside their trade.

• Key Difference: General contractors’ liability spans the entire project, while specialty contractors are only liable for their specific area of expertise.

5. Safety

General Contractor

Safety is a major responsibility for general contractors. They must ensure the entire construction site adheres to OSHA regulations and other safety guidelines. GCs create and enforce site-wide safety plans and monitor daily operations to prevent accidents.

Specialty Contractor

Specialty contractors are responsible for maintaining safety within their area of work. This includes using appropriate safety equipment, following trade-specific safety protocols, and ensuring their employees are trained for hazardous tasks.

• Key Difference: General contractors enforce site-wide safety measures, while specialty contractors ensure safety within their specific trade.

6. Ethics

General Contractor

Ethics for GCs revolves around the fair treatment of subcontractors, responsible use of resources, transparent dealings with owners, and honest reporting of costs and timelines. A commitment to ethical practices, such as following the AIC Code of Ethics, ensures trust between all parties involved in the project.

Specialty Contractor

Ethics for specialty contractors largely focus on delivering quality workmanship, adhering to industry standards, and honestly communicating technical issues or challenges they encounter during their work.

• Key Difference: Both roles require strong adherence to ethical standards. But general contractors have the added responsibility of maintaining ethical oversight across the entire project team, not just one area.

Learn More About Construction Management Roles

One of the advantages of participating in the construction field is the wide variety of opportunities available for project work. You may resonate more with managing the overall direction of a project as a GC, or you may enjoy becoming an expert in one specific area as an SC.

Understanding the key differences between general contractor vs. specialty contractor can help you make informed decisions about various career paths in the construction field.

Being part of a construction community can also help you gain more insights into what areas to pursue. We recommend following us on LinkedIn to participate in conversations, gain insights, and develop a deeper understanding of roles in the industry.

By investing in individual constructors, we are working together to accelerate constructor excellence.