Which party holds a license that allows them to contract for and supervise all phases of a construction project?

• A. GC General Contractor
• B. Subcontractor
• C. Architect
• D. Interior Designer

Answer: (A)

The key idea is who is licensed to handle the entire build—from start to finish—by contracting with the owner and coordinating every phase. That role belongs to the General Contractor. A licensed GC is authorized to sign contracts for construction services, hire and supervise all trades, obtain permits, manage the schedule, and ensure the project complies with codes and safety requirements. They oversee work from site preparation and framing all the way through to finishes and handover.

Subcontractors hold licenses for their specific trades, not the whole project, so they don’t contract for or supervise all phases. Architects design and may oversee construction administration, but they don’t typically contract for the entire project or manage every phase of construction. Interior designers focus on space planning and finishes and usually don’t hold the authority to contract for or supervise the entire construction project.