It's all fun and games till...

[shovelracer]

So today I showed up at a regular client of ours to see how the winter faired them. At first something didn't look right as I get out of the truck. As I start walking to the back they wife pulls in. Long story short...

A previous contractor built them a fire pit area at the edge of the woods before I came along. Well one night between November and today they decided to have a fire. A few too many cervesas later they went to bed. They were awoken at the wee hours of the morning by the local authorities. Turns out somehow the woods caught on fire and scorched about 1/2 an acre before they got it under control.

I'm told that there were fines for not having a fire permit. A bill for putting out the fire. Then there has been threat of a lawsuit because much of the area damaged belongs to the neighbor they do not get along with. I'm not even sure how you go about "restoring" woodlands. There was no other mention of the other contractor, but it got me thinking. These people are not the type to drag someone else into it, but there are plenty out there that would.

So the client wants a fire feature. Great, but have you thought about how it could affect you? Does the statement "client assume all responsibility" really protect you? Even with such who is going to fork out for the lawyer and lost wages in proving your side?