Sub-subcontractor is a term used to describe a subcontractor's own subcontractor.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not defined
• D. It is a term used only in some contracts

Answer: (A)

A sub-subcontractor is the party that a subcontractor hires to perform part of the subcontractor’s work. In AIA documents, the work is often passed along the chain: owner/architect → general contractor → subcontractor → sub-subcontractor. So the term describes the subcontractor’s own subcontractor, i.e., someone who works under the subcontractor to carry out a portion of the subcontractor’s scope.

This matters because the prime contract flow of responsibility, coordination, and risk runs through this chain. The owner and architect care that the general contractor is responsible to them for all work, including that done by sub-subcontractors, and that insurance, warranties, and payment obligations flow appropriately through the subcontractor to the sub-subcontractor. Even if a contract doesn’t spell out every detail, this term is a standard way to describe that relationship, not something peculiar to only some contracts.