General Contractor (or "GC"): This typically describes someone who hires the 15-20 different subcontractors and oversees them to execute the task. Usually, the GC does his own carpentry but contracts out the rest of the work. Depending on the context, a GC may also be referred to simply as the "Contractor".

Rough-in: The rough-in part of the project generally refers to work that is happening inside of the walls. For example, a plumber roughs-in when he puts the first pipes inside the walls. Later, when the drywall is up and he is installing the faucets, etc., he is out of the rough-in stage and into the "trim-out" stage.

Subcontractor (or "Contractor"): This typically refers to the individual tradesman, such as the tile installer, the painter, the mason (handles brick and concrete block), or the roofer.

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Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University