contractors
Workers for hire
Contractors are people or companies hired to perform work under contract, typically for a specific project or period rather than as permanent employees.
A building contractor manages construction projects; an independent contractor works freelance rather than on staff.
Government contractors provide goods or services to federal agencies.
We hired contractors to renovate the kitchen.
The term often implies skilled trades—plumbing, electrical, roofing—but extends to any contracted work.
Offer to purchase
- estimateInformed guess at quantity
- quoteRepeated words from another
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- invoiceItemized billing statement
scope · specifications · change order · punch list · warranty · liability · bonding · licensing
Restoring to good condition
- remodelReconstruct or redesign
- constructionProcess of building something
- additionJoining quantities mathematically
- installationProcess of putting in
repair · restoration · retrofit · conversion · extension · development · improvement · refurbishment
Working independently, not hired
- 1099Non-employee income document
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- sole proprietorSingle owner of business
- gigShort-term paid work
consultant · independent · moonlighting · temp · contingent · day labor · handyman · jack-of-all-trades
Worker who directs others
- superintendentChief administrative official
- project managerOne who oversees organized work
- crewWorking team aboard
- tradespersonSkilled manual laborer
journeyman · apprentice · laborer · worksite · hard hat · toolbelt · crew chief
Time limit for completion
- timelineOrdered display of events
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
site management · walk-through · inspection · progress · phases · completion · handoff · sign-off
Timber construction tradesperson
- electricianWiring installation specialist
- plumberWater system tradesperson
- rooferBuilding-top construction worker
- painterOne who applies pigment
mason · bricklayer · tiler · joiner · glazier · welder · plasterer · drywaller
Soldier fighting for pay
- securityProtection from threat
- defenseProtection against harm
- PMCCorporate military service provider
- operativeCovert field agent
deployment · combat · armed · paramilitary · government · classified · overseas · special operations
bid
Offer to purchase
- estimateInformed guess at quantity
- quoteRepeated words from another
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
invoice · scope · specifications · change order · punch list · warranty · liability · bonding · licensing · insurance
renovation
Restoring to good condition
- remodelReconstruct or redesign
- constructionProcess of building something
- additionJoining quantities mathematically
installation · repair · restoration · retrofit · conversion · extension · development · improvement · refurbishment · maintenance
self-employed
Working independently, not hired
- 1099Non-employee income document
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- sole proprietorSingle owner of business
gig · consultant · independent · moonlighting · temp · contingent · day labor · handyman · jack-of-all-trades
foreman
Worker who directs others
- superintendentChief administrative official
- project managerOne who oversees organized work
- crewWorking team aboard
tradesperson · journeyman · apprentice · laborer · worksite · hard hat · toolbelt · crew chief
deadline
Time limit for completion
- timelineOrdered display of events
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- schedulingAssigning times to events
coordination · site management · walk-through · inspection · progress · phases · completion · handoff · sign-off · closeout
carpenter
Timber construction tradesperson
- electricianWiring installation specialist
- plumberWater system tradesperson
- rooferBuilding-top construction worker
painter · mason · bricklayer · tiler · joiner · glazier · welder · plasterer · drywaller · insulator
mercenary
Soldier fighting for pay
operative · deployment · combat · armed · paramilitary · government · classified · overseas · special operations
- self-employedfreelancers, freelancer, freelance, solopreneur, sole proprietor
- service tradesmaintenance workers, maintenance crew, service workers, repairmen, handymen
- labor economicsjob market, labor supply, labor demand, employment rates, unemployment rates
- Expatriatesexpats, emigres, permanent residents, green card holders, foreign workers
- outsourcingoutsourcing, outsource, offshore, offshoring, nearshoring
- staffingstaffing, turnover rates, hiring, staffing firm, staffing agency
contractorsemployees
Paid staff members
permanent staff · salaried employees · salaried workers · civil servants · lifers
contractorsclients
Those receiving professional services
employers · principals · homeowners · customers · hirers
contractorssubcontractors
Third parties doing delegated work
laborers · workers · tradespeople · craftsmen · day laborers
- defense contractorsMilitary weapons manufacturers
- civilian contractorsNonmilitary workers hired by government
- general contractorsConstruction project coordinators
- contractor agreementTerms binding hired professionals
- independent contractorsSelf-employed service providers
- government contractorsPrivate companies doing state work