A general contractor is generally a manager employed by a developer to oversee the coordination of a building project such as a tract of single family homes, condominiums, townhomes or apartments, as well as commercial properties. A general contractor must be licensed by the state. General contractors will supervise and coordinate the work of subcontractors such as roofers, plumbers, framers, stucco subcontractors, electrical work, drywall, concrete, among other trades.