---
title: "General Contractor vs. Subcontractor: Understanding the Difference"
description: Learn the key differences between general contractors and subcontractors, including their roles, responsibilities, and how they work together on construction projects.
---
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# General Contractor vs. Subcontractor: Understanding the Difference
## While General Contractors use PlanHub to post projects and collect bids to help prepare proposals for project owners, Subcontractors use the platform to find projects that match their trade and submit bids to General Contractors for their specialized work.
Let’s walk through what each role does, when to use each account, and how to navigate the core features step by step.
**General Contractor Workflow in PlanHub**
As a General Contractor, you coordinate every aspect of a construction project and rely on PlanHub for posting jobs, organizing bid collection, and collaborating with subcontractors and suppliers.
Step 1: Click **Post a Project** in the upper right of your dashboard.
Step 2: On the **Files** page, upload project plans, specifications, and addenda. Include all relevant documents for bidders to review.
Step 3: Select the **Project Details** tab. Enter the project name, details, location, important dates, and any required information—fields with an asterisk are required.
Step 4: Select the required trades for your project so that only relevant subcontractors are invited to bid.
Step 5: Choose **bidders** to invite. You can pull contacts from the PlanHub directory, your company list, or both. You can also upload your bid list by selecting the upload bidders button in the bottom right corner. Then, you will click **Publish** in the upper right corner when you're ready to make your project live.
**Subcontractor Workflow in PlanHub**
Subcontractors use PlanHub to discover active posted projects that fit their trade, request material estimates, and submit accurate bids to the General Contractors.
Step 1: On the **Project Finder** page, view the list of posted projects. Use filters to quickly narrow down projects by trade, scope, or location. Click on a project that matches your interest to open its details. 
Step 2: The **Overview** page presents project type, location, requested trades, list of GCs and a summary of the competition.
Step 3: Select the **Files** tab. Review available plans, specifications, addenda, and any supporting documents. Use these files to understand project requirements.
Step 4: Select the **Suppliers** tab. From the first dropdown menu, pick the trade you need material pricing for. Pick your suppliers from the suggested list, enter a detailed message (if needed), and send out your estimate requests.
Step 5: Once your bid proposal is ready, click the **Submit Bid** button at the bottom right of the Overview or Files pages to deliver your offer directly to the General Contractors.
Choosing between a General Contractor and Subcontractor role in PlanHub depends on your company's responsibilities and goals. Choose the account type that best matches your workflow and get the most out of every feature PlanHub offers.
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