Who is responsible for all acts and omissions of subcontractors on a construction project?

The contractor holds the responsibility for all acts and omissions of subcontractors on a construction project. This accountability stems from the contractual relationship established between the contractor and the owner, where the contractor agrees to complete the project while potentially hiring subcontractors to perform specific tasks or trades. Because subcontractors are engaged by the contractor, it is the contractor's duty to ensure that the work performed by these subcontractors meets the necessary standards and complies with the project's requirements.

In scenarios of issues arising from the work of subcontractors—be it defects in construction, delays, or safety violations—the contractor is ultimately held liable. This responsibility emphasizes the contractor's role as the principal party managing the overall execution of the project, including supervision, coordination, and quality assurance of all labor, whether directly employed or subcontracted.

The other roles, such as owner, architect, or project manager, have different responsibilities that do not extend to direct liability for subcontractor actions. The owner’s focus is primarily on the project overall and ensuring contractual agreements are followed. The architect is involved in design and oversight, while the project manager oversees project execution without taking direct responsibility for subcontractors' work.