Quick Answer: A general contractor (GC) holds the prime contract with the homeowner, manages the entire project, coordinates all trades, and is responsible for the permit and overall quality. Subcontractors (subs) are specialty tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, tile setters — hired and paid by the GC to perform specific scopes of work. As a homeowner, you have a legal relationship only with the GC; the subs report to the GC.
General Contractor vs Subcontractor: What Every San Jose Homeowner Should Know
| General Contractor (GC) | Subcontractor (Sub) | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | Prime contract with homeowner | Contract with GC (not homeowner) |
| License | Class B General Building (California) | Class C specialty license (e.g., C-10 electrical) |
| Responsibility | Entire project: schedule, budget, coordination | Specific scope (e.g., all plumbing, all tile) |
| Who pays | Homeowner pays GC | GC pays subs |
| Permit holder | GC typically pulls the permit | May pull their own trade permits |
| Who you call | All issues go through the GC | You don’t manage subs directly |
Why You Should Never Pay Subcontractors Directly
In California, if a homeowner pays a subcontractor directly and the GC doesn’t pay the sub (or the GC goes bankrupt), the sub can file a mechanics lien against your property — even though you already paid the GC for that work. The way to protect yourself: pay only the GC, require the GC to provide lien releases (conditional and unconditional) from every sub and supplier before you make progress payments.
How to Verify Your Contractor Is Properly Licensed in California
- All GCs and subs must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
- Verify any contractor at cslb.ca.gov — check license number, classification, expiration, and any disciplinary actions
- For projects over $500, California law requires the contractor to be licensed
- Quartz Construction CSLB license: #1003436 (Class B General Building)
What Trades Are Usually Subcontracted on a San Jose Remodel?
- Electrical (C-10 license)
- Plumbing (C-36 license)
- HVAC / mechanical (C-20 license)
- Roofing (C-39 license)
- Concrete and masonry (C-8 license)
- Tile setting (C-54 license)
- Painting (C-33 license)
- Cabinetry installation (C-6 license)
Quartz Construction is a fully licensed Class B General Contractor serving San Jose. CSLB #1003436 | BBB A+ | 4.9 stars. Explore our remodeling services. Call (650) 749-7436.
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"Quartz Construction did an amazing job on our kitchen remodel. The team was professional, on time, and the results exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend to any Bay Area homeowner!"
— Michael T. |
"We hired them for a bathroom remodel in our San Jose home. From permitting to final walkthrough, everything was handled perfectly. The tile work is stunning. 5 stars without hesitation."
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"Just finished our ADU garage conversion. The project came in on budget and on schedule — rare in the Bay Area! The rental income already started. Could not be happier with Quartz Construction."
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Quartz Construction & Remodeling | CSLB #1003436 | Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Phone: (650) 749-7436
Address: 1777 Hamilton Ave #1080, San Jose, CA 95125
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Service Area: San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Los Gatos & Bay Area
