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contractor definition - legal

n

A party to a contract, especially one who agrees to provide goods or services to the other parties.
general contractor
A contractor who agrees to undertake a large project, such as the construction of a building, and who hires and coordinates subcontractors to complete parts of the project. Also called a prime contractor.
independent contractor
A contractor who agrees to provide services to another party, but who retains significant or complete control over how the work is done. See also employee.
subcontractor
A person retained by a contractor (usually a general contractor or another subcontractor) to complete a part or all of the obligations owed by the contractor under a particular contract or series of contracts. For example, general contractors who build houses frequently hire subcontractors to install the plumbing.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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