Are self employment and subcontracting the same thing? In some cases, they just might be. Contractors and subcontractors can be found in many, many different areas and types of business…so why can’t they be associated with self employment, too?
Sometimes, self employment and subcontracting go hand in hand. Don’t believe it? It’s time to learn more about subcontracting, and how it relates to self employed professionals.
What is Subcontracting?
By technical definition, a subcontractor is hired by a contractor. This means the real question is, what the heck is a contractor? These are individuals or companies who are hired by another entity (be it an individual, another company, even a government agency) to complete a certain project. For instance, many state governments hire contractors to take care of road work. These contractors in turn hire individuals to help them complete the project. What is subcontracting? It’s a little like working through an employment middleman. Instead of working with and taking to the main employer, the subcontractor works with the contractor. This can go a long way toward simplifying big projects.
For many professionals, subcontracting can be a viable route to self employment and independence. Take the example of ghostwriting, for instance. It’s common practice for writers who have too much to do to hire ghostwriters to help them complete their projects. This is a form of subcontracting for the ghostwriters, who are paid directly by the writer (and not by those who are paying the writer).
Self Employment
What makes subcontracting different? Because subcontractors don’t specifically work with one company or individual. Instead, these professionals operate on a freelance, or self employed, basis. They find their own jobs, decide upon their own schedule, and yet still work and make money. For many, subcontracting is just another form of self employment. Subcontractors are very commonly found in trades such as plumbing, painting, drywall and other construction-related jobs. Almost anyone who has a special skill has a chance of finding opportunities through subcontracting.
With subcontracting, individuals can continue to do what they love and the work that they like, while exercising a lot of control over when and how they work. The subcontractor decides which jobs to take and when to take time off.
Are self employment and subcontracting the same? For those who can make a living through subcontracting, it can be the answer to reaching successful self employment…but not everyone who is self employed technically qualifies as a subcontractor.
