A subcontractor is a person or company that is hired by a general contractor to perform a specific task or part of a construction project. A tradesman, on the other hand, is a skilled worker who specializes in a particular trade or craft, such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work.

In the construction industry, subcontractors are often hired to perform specialized tasks that require specific expertise or equipment. For example, a general contractor may hire a plumbing subcontractor to install the plumbing system in a new building. A tradesman, on the other hand, is typically hired directly by a general contractor to work on a construction project as a member of the construction crew.

Both subcontractors and tradesmen play important roles in the construction industry, but they have different roles and responsibilities. Subcontractors are responsible for performing a specific task or part of a project, while tradesmen are responsible for completing various tasks as needed as part of a construction crew.