Florida General Contractor Practice Exam

If a contractor performs work known to be contrary to the law without notifying the architect, who assumes responsibility?

1. Owner

2. Contractor

3. Architect

4. Engineer

The correct answer is: Contractor

The contractor is held responsible because they are expected to have knowledge of applicable laws and regulations governing their work. When a contractor knowingly performs work that violates legal codes or standards, it is their duty to inform the architect or any relevant parties involved in the project. The contractor’s role includes ensuring compliance with legal requirements; this responsibility cannot be delegated. In this scenario, if the contractor proceeds with work that they are aware is against the law, they are acting outside the bounds of their professional responsibilities. The architect is not liable for the contractor's actions unless the architect was involved in the decisions related to the unlawfulness of the work. The owner usually holds a more passive role concerning the day-to-day decisions and actions of the contractor and would not be held responsible for a breach of law perpetrated by the contractor. Similarly, the engineer's responsibility typically lies within their scope of work, and unless they were part of the decision-making process regarding that specific work, they would not be liable either. Hence, the contractor remains responsible for illegal work conducted without proper notification to the architect.