Quick Answer: A general contractor (GC) manages the entire construction project — hiring and coordinating subcontractors, obtaining permits, scheduling inspections, and maintaining the construction schedule and budget. A subcontractor is a specialist (electrician, plumber, HVAC tech, tile setter, framer) hired BY the general contractor to perform specific trade work on the project. When you hire a GC, you have one point of contact and one contract; the GC is responsible for all the subcontractors’ work and warranties. If you hire subcontractors directly (acting as your own GC), you take on all the coordination responsibility and may need an owner-builder permit in California for projects over $500. For any remodeling project in San Jose over $500, the general contractor must hold a California CSLB license (B license for general building, or specialty C licenses for trades).
General Contractor vs Subcontractor — Key Differences
| Factor | General Contractor (GC) | Subcontractor (Sub) |
|---|---|---|
| License required | Class B (General Building) or Class A (Engineering) | Specialty C license for their trade (C-10 electrical, C-36 plumbing, etc.) |
| Scope of work | Entire project — all trades coordinated | One specific trade or scope (plumbing, framing, tile, etc.) |
| Who hires them | The homeowner (owner hires GC) | The general contractor (GC hires subs) |
| Permit responsibility | GC pulls the master building permit | Trade permits (electrical, plumbing) pulled by the sub under the GC’s permit |
| Project management | Full schedule, budget, and coordination management | Responsible for their own trade work only |
| Warranty | GC warrants the entire project (California 1-year minimum, 10 years structural) | Subs warrant their own work; homeowner’s recourse is through the GC |
| Who you call if problems arise | The GC — one point of contact for everything | The GC (who manages the sub) — or your own attorney if you hired subs directly |
Should You Hire a GC or Manage Subcontractors Yourself in San Jose?
For projects under $50,000 with very limited scope (one trade only), hiring a specialist directly may save money. For any project involving multiple trades (kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, room addition, ADU), hiring a licensed general contractor is strongly recommended — the time and liability cost of coordinating 6-10 subcontractors yourself typically exceeds the GC’s management markup (usually 15-25% of project cost).
Quartz Construction is a Class B licensed general contractor (CSLB #1003436) managing all trades and permits for remodeling projects throughout San Jose. Request a free estimate. 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."
— Sarah L. |
"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."
— David R. |
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