Which statement describes the contractor's interaction with subcontractors?

• A. The subcontractor is the owner’s agent.
• B. The contractor interacts with subcontractors to perform the work, and may have sub-subcontractors.
• C. The architect performs all subcontractor work.
• D. Subcontractors are not allowed to have subcontractors.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the contractor is responsible for getting the work done through others and can delegate parts of that work to subcontractors, who themselves may hire sub-subcontractors. In standard AIA A201 relationships, the contractor coordinates and directs the subcontractors to perform the work, and may engage sub-subcontractors to handle portions of the subcontractor’s scope. The owner and architect interact with the contractor, not directly with each subcontractor, and the architect does not perform all subcontractor tasks. Subcontractors having sub-subcontractors is a normal and allowed arrangement. This is why the statement that best describes the interaction is that the contractor interacts with subcontractors to perform the work, and may have sub-subcontractors.