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.

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