Vintage bricks on a new build: ethical gray area?

I'm on a job where the homeowner brought in a pile of old bricks from a demolished school. They're aiming for a rustic look on their garage project. After sorting through them, I spotted that many have fine cracks and uneven edges. My concern is that these might not handle moisture well, leading to issues down the road. The client is adamant, saying it adds character and saves cash. I feel caught between keeping a good customer and avoiding a future call-back for repairs. It's one of those times where doing the right thing feels fuzzy. How do you all balance client wishes with your own standards for durability?

4 comments

4 Comments

nancyn691mo ago

Highlight the problem areas in writing. If they ignore it, that's their choice. Then you're covered when it all goes south.

the_stella1mo ago

Heard a story from a friend in tech. She wrote down every software flaw in the ticket system. Her boss skipped over all the warnings. When data got lost, her paper trail kept her safe.

blair_taylor321mo ago

basically how everything works now.

lucas_ellis361mo ago

Those school bricks probably soaked up decades of moisture already. Hidden cracks will only get worse with freeze-thaw cycles, and patching mortar won't fix that core problem. It puts you in a tough spot when the charm they see now means leaks they'll see later.