Which principle describes the contractor's liability for on-site personnel and subcontractors?

• A. The contractor has no liability for on-site acts.
• B. The owner bears liability for all on-site acts.
• C. The contractor is responsible for the acts and omissions of the contractor's personnel and those performing portions of the work on behalf of the contractor or its subcontractors.
• D. The architect bears liability for on-site acts.

Answer: (C)

On-site control and responsibility fall to the contractor. In A201-style contracts, the contractor is responsible for the acts and omissions of the contractor’s personnel and anyone performing portions of the work for the contractor or its subcontractors. This reflects the idea that the party in charge of carrying out the work bears the liability for what happens on site, including the safety and conduct of its workers and those doing work under its direction. The contractor must supervise, coordinate, and oversee safety and quality, so liabilities arising from on-site actions are attributed to the contractor, not the owner or architect.

The other options don’t fit because the owner isn’t automatically liable for all on-site acts, and the architect isn’t generally responsible for on-site acts unless tied to a separate professional duty or error in design.