Tennessee Ruling Finds Liability for Contractors Using Subs

A Tennessee Supreme Court ruling should make it easier for homeowners to hold contractors responsible when subcontractors do shoddy work.

Source: Source: AP | Published on October 31, 2011

The court ruling released last week in Knoxville found that contractors have a duty to perform services in a "careful, skillful, diligent and workmanlike manner" that can't be fully delegated to another contractor they hire.

The 5-0 decision in the lawsuit over a fire caused by a botched roof repair could have broad implications for homeowners and contractors. Most home construction and repair work involves hiring subcontractors to handle parts of the job.

The opinion written by Justice Gary Wade said this was the first time the court had weighed in on whether a contractor was absolved from liability when hiring a subcontractor.