Who is liable when a client tells your crew to cut corners?

Work it through

You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.

Jordan Price

Real estate investor who flips houses

Listen

1. ARefuse to skip permits or substitute materials without a written change order. Remind Jordan that YOUR license is on every piece of work regardless of who owns the house
   Correct

   Jordan doesn't have an MHIC license — YOU do. Every code violation, every skipped permit, every substandard material is YOUR liability. When the buyer's home inspector finds unpermitted plumbing, the trail leads to YOUR MHIC number. Jordan flips the house and moves on. You face the complaint, the hearing, and the license action. Stand your ground.

2. BFollow Jordan's instructions — he's the client and it's his house
   Wrong

   'The client told me to' is not a defense for code violations. Your MHIC license obligates YOU to perform work according to law regardless of client instructions. A client cannot direct you to skip permits (COMAR 09.08.01.08) or install substandard materials. When Jordan sells this house and the buyer discovers the issues, the MHIC complaint names YOU — not Jordan.