Subcontractor Agreement
The 2026 Legal Form
Subcontractor Agreement
Create a legally binding subcontractor agreement between a general contractor and subcontractor — covers fixed-price, ti…
State-compliant subcontractor agreements for construction, cleaning, and plumbing trades - with mechanic's lien protections, licensing clauses, and prompt payment terms built in.
- State-specific contractor licensing and lien clauses
- Fixed-price, T&M and unit-price structures
- Download-ready PDF in minutes
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Did you know?
Did You Know?
Over 60% of construction disputes originate from poorly defined subcontractor scopes of work. In states like California, a subcontractor who isn't properly licensed can lose the right to file a mechanic's lien - and a GC who hires unlicensed subs faces penalties up to $5,000 per violation (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028). A written subcontractor agreement with licensing verification, lien waiver provisions, and prompt payment terms protects both parties from the most common jobsite disputes.
Why our legal forms
Why Our Forms Stand Out
State Licensing & Lien Compliance
Every agreement includes state-specific contractor licensing requirements, mechanic's lien notice clauses, and prompt payment act deadlines - so your subcontract holds up in court, not just on paper.
Trade-Specific Coverage
Construction, cleaning, and plumbing - each template is tailored to the trade's unique scope requirements, insurance minimums, and inspection obligations.
Ready in 5 Minutes
Answer guided questions, review your document, and download a professional PDF - no lawyer appointment needed.
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Featured — Spotlight
See What's Inside - California
California leads the nation in construction spending and contractor regulation. Every subcontractor performing work valued over $500 must hold a valid CSLB license (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028), and GCs face "willful and deliberate" penalties for hiring unlicensed subs. Our Construction Subcontractor Agreement auto-includes California-specific mechanic's lien notices (Cal. Civ. Code § 8200), prompt payment deadlines (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7108.5), and prevailing wage clauses for public works projects.
What people are saying
Trusted by contractors nationwide
"We sub out electrical and framing on every project. This template saved us from a $40K lien dispute because the waiver provisions were already built in."
David R.
General Contractor, Houston, TX
"Hiring subcontractors for commercial jobs used to mean expensive lawyer fees for each contract. Now I generate agreements in minutes with the right insurance and bonding clauses."
Maria S.
Cleaning Company Owner, Chicago, IL
"Arizona requires specific license classes for plumbing subs. This template knew exactly which clauses to include - even the backflow certification requirements."
James T.
Master Plumber, Phoenix, AZ
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about subcontractor agreements
A subcontractor agreement is a legally binding contract between a general contractor (GC) and a subcontractor that defines the scope of work, payment terms, timelines, insurance requirements, and liability allocation for a specific project or service. Unlike an independent contractor agreement, a subcontractor agreement governs the GC-to-sub relationship within a larger project.
Verbal agreements are notoriously difficult to enforce in construction and service disputes. A written subcontractor agreement establishes clear scope boundaries, payment milestones, change-order procedures, and lien waiver requirements. In many states, a subcontractor cannot file a valid mechanic's lien without a written contract, and a written agreement also protects the GC from vicarious liability claims.
An independent contractor works directly for the client or property owner. A subcontractor works under a general contractor who holds the primary contract. The legal distinction matters for licensing, insurance, and lien rights because subcontractors have separate mechanic's lien filing requirements in most states.
In most states, yes - especially for regulated trades like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. California requires every subcontractor performing work over $500 to hold a valid CSLB license (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028). Hiring unlicensed subcontractors can expose the GC to fines, lien invalidation, and other penalties.
A mechanic's lien gives subcontractors the legal right to place a claim against a property if they aren't paid for work performed. Our templates include conditional and unconditional lien waiver provisions at each payment milestone, protecting GCs from double-payment risk while preserving the sub's right to file a lien if payment is withheld.
Yes. Each template covers residential, commercial, and mixed-use project types. The agreement adapts scope, insurance minimums, and compliance clauses based on your selections - commercial projects may trigger prevailing wage requirements, bonding thresholds, and additional indemnification clauses that residential projects typically don't require.
All forms
Subcontractor Agreement Legal Forms
Create a legally binding subcontractor agreement between a general contractor and subcontractor — covers fixed-price, time & materials, and unit-price arrangements with scope of work, compensation, insurance, and compliance terms.
Create a legally binding subcontractor agreement between a general contractor and a plumbing subcontractor — covers fixed-price, time & materials, and unit-price (per fixture) arrangements with plumbing scope, code compliance, compensation, retainage, insurance, and warranty terms.
Create a legally binding subcontractor agreement for cleaning services — covers fixed-price, time & materials, and per-visit pricing between a general contractor and cleaning subcontractor. Includes independent contractor classification safeguards (ABC test compliance), service location details, property access provisions, fidelity bonding, OSHA chemical safety acknowledgments, supplies responsibility, and state-specific compliance for all 50 states.