---
title: "Subcontract | Drywall Glossary"
url: https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/subcontract.html
language: en
author: James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat
updated: 2026-10-28
---

# Subcontract

**The subcontract is your agreement with the GC. It sets scope, price, schedule, how change orders work, payment terms, retainage, insurance and waiver requirements.**

> **Not legal advice.** This is a general explanation for contractors across the U.S. Lien and payment rules differ by state and by contract, and they change. Before you act on a lien, waiver or payment clause, talk to a construction attorney in your state.

## Why it matters on a drywall job

- Most payment questions on a job come back to what the subcontract says.
- Clauses on change-order notice, pay-when-paid and retainage are worth reading before you sign.

For one state's rules, see the [Texas lien guide for subcontractors](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/texas-lien-deadlines.html). It covers Texas only.

## Related guides and tools

- [Change order template and log](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/change-order-template.html)
- [Glossary: pay-when-paid](https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/pay-when-paid.html)
- [Texas lien guide for subcontractors](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/texas-lien-deadlines.html)
- [All glossary terms](https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/)

---

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_¿Prefiere español? [Subcontrato](https://tapeandfloat.com/es/glosario/subcontrato.html)._