This article discusses the differences between contractor, subcontractor, and materialman (supplier).
The meaning of the term “subcontractor” is both controversial and fluid, because it can be the key to which property damage coverage may apply in a construction setting after work performed on behalf of the named insured by a subcontractor has been completed. This assumes no exclusion has been issued to preclude coverage for property damage to work performed by subcontractors on behalf of a named insured, or no court has ruled that a construction defect is neither property damage nor something that could be caused by an occurrence.
