contractor
Hired building professional
A contractor is a person or company hired to perform work under contract—typically construction, renovation, or other services requiring specialized skills.
General contractors oversee entire projects and hire subcontractors for specific tasks: We're meeting with contractors to get bids on the kitchen remodel.
The term extends to independent workers in any field who work on contract rather than as employees, and to private firms providing services to government: defense contractors, military contractors.
Short-term paid work
- self-employedWorking independently, not hired
- independentFree from external control
- 1099Non-employee income document
- project-basedOrganized around distinct undertakings
temp · flexible · freelancer · autonomous · entrepreneur · solo · remote · consultant
Detailed technical drawing
- excavationAct of unearthing
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
plumbing · electrical · roofing · insulation · drywall · crane · bulldozer · backhoe
Altering existing structures
- renovationRestoring to good condition
- paintingPigment on canvas
- flooringSurface underfoot material
- tilingSurface-covering arrangement
landscaping · handyman · plaster · waterproofing · maintenance · kitchen · bathroom · addition
Inscribing one's name
- termsConditions of an agreement
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- dealAgreement or distribution
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
obligation · proposal · arrangement · bid · scope · clause · liability · indemnity
gig
Short-term paid work
- self-employedWorking independently, not hired
- independentFree from external control
- 1099Non-employee income document
project-based · temp · flexible · freelancer · autonomous · entrepreneur · solo · remote · consultant · billable
blueprint
Detailed technical drawing
- excavationAct of unearthing
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- foundationUnderlying support structure
framing · plumbing · electrical · roofing · insulation · drywall · crane · bulldozer · backhoe · hardhat
remodeling
Altering existing structures
- renovationRestoring to good condition
- paintingPigment on canvas
- flooringSurface underfoot material
tiling · landscaping · handyman · plaster · waterproofing · maintenance · kitchen · bathroom · addition · deck
signing
Inscribing one's name
- termsConditions of an agreement
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- dealAgreement or distribution
commitment · obligation · proposal · arrangement · bid · scope · clause · liability · indemnity · warranty
mercenary
Soldier fighting for pay
paramilitary · security · private · defense · combat · armed · deployment · mission · covert · surveillance
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- business contactsclient, colleagues, colleague, contact, coworker
- businessesbusiness, company, bank, bakery, enterprise
- Businesspeopleentrepreneur, executive, CEO, businesswoman, founder
- job titlesCEO, CTO, CFO, CMO, cook
contractoremployee
Hired organizational member
salaried worker · company man · direct hire · insider · lifer
contractorclient
One who hires professionals
property owner · homeowner · customer · principal · developer
contractorsoldier
Armed forces member
military personnel · enlisted personnel · government employee · civil servant · public servant
- verbal contractSpoken, unwritten binding promise
- defense contractorsMilitary weapons manufacturers
- union contractBinding pact between workers and management
- military contractsGovernment deals for weapons
- civilian contractorsNonmilitary workers hired by government
- general contractorsConstruction project coordinators
contract, contraction, contracts, contractors, contractual, contractile