Subcontractors, or specialty contractors, are vital to the success of the general contractors (GCs) or construction managers (CMs) with whom they work. Specialty contractors perform such tasks as expanding service offerings, integrating vertically as well as expanding the geographic footprint, mitigating labor risk, and may complete portions of the work that the contractor may not typically perform.

Rather than viewing the relationship as a commodity based on lowest responsive bid, GCs and specialty contractors should seek to create true and lasting partnerships based on mutual trust and respect.