diff --git a/e2e/__screenshots__/vendors/vendors.visual.spec.ts/vendor-detail.png b/e2e/__screenshots__/vendors/vendors.visual.spec.ts/vendor-detail.png
index 1beb0a15..1993c2c7 100644
Binary files a/e2e/__screenshots__/vendors/vendors.visual.spec.ts/vendor-detail.png and b/e2e/__screenshots__/vendors/vendors.visual.spec.ts/vendor-detail.png differ
diff --git a/e2e/vendors/vendors.spec.ts b/e2e/vendors/vendors.spec.ts
index b348fd21..d1263828 100644
--- a/e2e/vendors/vendors.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/vendors/vendors.spec.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ interface MockState {
   patchedBody?: Record<string, unknown>;
   patchedCompanyId?: string;
   deletedId?: string;
+  deleteConfirmedOpenWorkOrders?: boolean;
 }
 
 async function fulfillJson(route: Route, body: unknown, status = 200) {
@@ -307,8 +308,9 @@ async function mockVendorApi(
       },
     }),
   );
-  await page.route(/\/api\/vendors\/\d+$/, async (route) => {
-    const id = route.request().url().split("/").pop() ?? "";
+  await page.route(/\/api\/vendors\/\d+(\?.*)?$/, async (route) => {
+    const requestUrl = new URL(route.request().url());
+    const id = requestUrl.pathname.split("/").pop() ?? "";
     if (route.request().method() === "PUT") {
       state.updatedBody = route.request().postDataJSON();
       const vendor = vendorRecords.find((item) => String(item.Id) === id);
@@ -321,6 +323,8 @@ async function mockVendorApi(
       return;
     }
     if (route.request().method() === "DELETE") {
+      state.deleteConfirmedOpenWorkOrders =
+        requestUrl.searchParams.get("confirmOpenWorkOrders") === "true";
       if (options.deleteConflict) {
         await fulfillJson(
           route,
@@ -576,20 +580,28 @@ test.describe("Vendor directory prototype parity", () => {
     await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Close drawer" })).toHaveCount(0);
   });
 
-  test("blocks deactivation for linked work orders and preserves the vendor on a raced 409", async ({
+  test("confirms deactivation past linked work orders and preserves the vendor on a raced 409", async ({
     page,
   }) => {
-    const blockedState = await mockVendorApi(page, { deactivationBlocked: true });
+    const confirmState = await mockVendorApi(page, { deactivationBlocked: true });
     await page.goto("/vendors");
 
     await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Edit vendor Gateway Plumbing" }).click();
     await page.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" }).click();
-    const blockedDialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate Vendor" });
-    await expect(blockedDialog).toContainText("WO-501 — Emergency boiler repair");
-    await expect(blockedDialog.getByRole("button", { name: /^Deactivate$/ })).toBeDisabled();
-    expect(blockedState.deletedId).toBeUndefined();
+    const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate this vendor?" });
+    await expect(dialog).toContainText("It still has 1 open work order");
+    await expect(
+      dialog.getByRole("link", { name: /WO-501 — Emergency boiler repair/ }),
+    ).toHaveAttribute("href", "/workorders/501");
+
+    // SH-254: the open work orders inform the decision, they no longer block it.
+    const confirm = dialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Deactivate anyway" });
+    await expect(confirm).toBeEnabled();
+    await confirm.click();
+
+    await expect.poll(() => confirmState.deletedId).toBe("1");
+    expect(confirmState.deleteConfirmedOpenWorkOrders).toBe(true);
 
-    await blockedDialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Cancel" }).click();
     await page.unrouteAll({ behavior: "wait" });
 
     const racedState = await mockVendorApi(page, { deleteConflict: true });
@@ -597,13 +609,13 @@ test.describe("Vendor directory prototype parity", () => {
     await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Edit vendor Gateway Plumbing" }).click();
     await page.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" }).click();
     await page
-      .getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate Vendor" })
+      .getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate this vendor?" })
       .getByRole("button", {
         name: /^Deactivate$/,
       })
       .click();
 
-    await expect(page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate Vendor" })).toContainText(
+    await expect(page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate this vendor?" })).toContainText(
       /open work orders|conflict/i,
     );
     expect(racedState.deletedId).toBeUndefined();
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/use-vendor-deactivation.ts b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/use-vendor-deactivation.ts
index b63291be..5870f7db 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/use-vendor-deactivation.ts
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/use-vendor-deactivation.ts
@@ -38,13 +38,18 @@ export function useVendorDeactivation(onSuccess?: () => void): VendorDeactivatio
   const confirm = () => {
     if (!target || target.id == null) return;
     setError(null);
-    deleteVendor.mutate(target.id, {
-      onSuccess: () => {
-        setTarget(null);
-        onSuccess?.();
+    // The dialog has shown whatever open work orders exist, so confirming here is
+    // the explicit confirmation the API requires to deactivate past them (SH-254).
+    deleteVendor.mutate(
+      { id: target.id, confirmOpenWorkOrders: (impact?.openWorkOrders.length ?? 0) > 0 },
+      {
+        onSuccess: () => {
+          setTarget(null);
+          onSuccess?.();
+        },
+        onError: (err: Error) => setError(err.message || "Failed to deactivate vendor"),
       },
-      onError: (err: Error) => setError(err.message || "Failed to deactivate vendor"),
-    });
+    );
   };
 
   return {
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-deactivation-dialog.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-deactivation-dialog.tsx
index cf673b6c..a56ca3b5 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-deactivation-dialog.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-deactivation-dialog.tsx
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@ import {
   DialogContent,
   DialogContentText,
   DialogTitle,
+  Link,
   List,
   ListItem,
   Stack,
   Typography,
 } from "@mui/material";
+import { Link as RouterLink } from "react-router";
 import type { VendorDeactivationImpact, VendorListItem } from "@/domain/vendors/types/vendor";
 
 interface VendorDeactivationDialogProps {
@@ -26,6 +28,15 @@ interface VendorDeactivationDialogProps {
   onConfirm: () => void;
 }
 
+function deactivationMessage(companyName: string | undefined, openCount: number): string {
+  const name = companyName ? `"${companyName}"` : "This vendor";
+  if (openCount === 0) {
+    return `${name} will no longer be selectable for new work orders.`;
+  }
+  const plural = openCount === 1 ? "work order" : "work orders";
+  return `${name} will no longer be selectable for new work orders. It still has ${openCount} open ${plural} — they'll keep it as-is unless you reassign them.`;
+}
+
 export function VendorDeactivationDialog({
   target,
   isLoading,
@@ -36,16 +47,16 @@ export function VendorDeactivationDialog({
   onClose,
   onConfirm,
 }: VendorDeactivationDialogProps) {
-  const hasBlockingImpact = Boolean(impact && !impact.canDeactivate);
+  const openWorkOrders = impact?.openWorkOrders ?? [];
+  const hasOpenWorkOrders = openWorkOrders.length > 0;
 
   return (
     <Dialog open={Boolean(target)} onClose={isSaving ? undefined : onClose}>
-      <DialogTitle>Deactivate Vendor</DialogTitle>
+      <DialogTitle>Deactivate this vendor?</DialogTitle>
       <DialogContent>
         <Stack spacing={2}>
           <DialogContentText>
-            Deactivate &quot;{target?.companyName}&quot;? Existing work-order and audit history will
-            be preserved.
+            {deactivationMessage(target?.companyName, openWorkOrders.length)}
           </DialogContentText>
 
           {isLoading && (
@@ -63,19 +74,13 @@ export function VendorDeactivationDialog({
             </Alert>
           )}
 
-          {impact != null && !isLoading && !impact.canDeactivate && (
-            <Alert severity="error">
-              This vendor cannot be deactivated because it still has open work orders.
-            </Alert>
-          )}
-
-          {impact != null && impact.openWorkOrders.length > 0 && (
+          {hasOpenWorkOrders && (
             <Box>
               <Typography variant="subtitle2" className="font-semibold uppercase">
-                Open work orders ({impact.openWorkOrders.length})
+                Open work orders ({openWorkOrders.length})
               </Typography>
               <List dense sx={{ mt: 0.5 }}>
-                {impact.openWorkOrders.map((wo) => (
+                {openWorkOrders.map((wo) => (
                   <ListItem
                     key={String(wo.workOrderId)}
                     sx={{ px: 0, py: 0.25 }}
@@ -88,11 +93,11 @@ export function VendorDeactivationDialog({
                     }
                   >
                     <Stack>
-                      <Typography variant="body2">
+                      <Link component={RouterLink} to={`/workorders/${wo.workOrderId}`}>
                         {wo.workOrderNumber
                           ? `${wo.workOrderNumber} — ${wo.workOrderTitle || "Untitled"}`
                           : wo.workOrderTitle || `Work order ${wo.workOrderId}`}
-                      </Typography>
+                      </Link>
                       {Boolean(wo.status) && (
                         <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "text.secondary" }}>
                           {wo.status}
@@ -113,12 +118,12 @@ export function VendorDeactivationDialog({
           Cancel
         </Button>
         <Button
-          color="error"
+          color={hasOpenWorkOrders ? "warning" : "error"}
           variant="contained"
           onClick={onConfirm}
-          disabled={isSaving || isLoading || hasBlockingImpact || Boolean(impactError)}
+          disabled={isSaving || isLoading || Boolean(impactError)}
         >
-          {isSaving ? "Deactivating..." : "Deactivate"}
+          {isSaving ? "Deactivating..." : hasOpenWorkOrders ? "Deactivate anyway" : "Deactivate"}
         </Button>
       </DialogActions>
     </Dialog>
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-detail-drawer.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-detail-drawer.tsx
index 74d6ef02..b1a24c3c 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-detail-drawer.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-detail-drawer.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
   Switch,
 } from "@mui/material";
 import { VendorRosterConflictAlert } from "./vendor-roster-conflict-alert";
+import { VendorStatusBadge } from "./vendor-status-badge";
 import { VendorRosterFormFields } from "./vendor-roster-form-fields";
 import { VendorRosterLoadErrorAlert } from "./vendor-roster-load-error";
 import { useVendorRosterForm } from "./use-vendor-roster-form";
@@ -81,6 +82,13 @@ function DrawerHeader({
   technician?: VendorRosterTechnician;
   onClose: () => void;
 }) {
+  const title = technician?.contactName || vendor?.contactName || roster?.name || "Vendor company";
+  const company = roster?.name || vendor?.companyName || "Vendor details";
+  // The company is a subtitle under the technician's name. When there is no
+  // technician the title already falls back to the company, and repeating it
+  // would render the same line twice.
+  const subtitle = company === title ? null : company;
+
   return (
     <Stack
       direction="row"
@@ -94,11 +102,13 @@ function DrawerHeader({
     >
       <Box>
         <Text id="vendor-detail-drawer-title" variant="title" as="h2" className="font-semibold">
-          {technician?.contactName || vendor?.contactName || roster?.name || "Vendor company"}
-        </Text>
-        <Text variant="description" tone="muted">
-          {roster?.name || vendor?.companyName || "Vendor details"}
+          {title}
         </Text>
+        {subtitle !== null && (
+          <Text variant="description" tone="muted">
+            {subtitle}
+          </Text>
+        )}
       </Box>
       <IconButton aria-label="Close drawer" onClick={onClose} size="small">
         <CloseIcon fontSize="small" />
@@ -118,17 +128,24 @@ function CompanySection({ roster }: { roster: VendorCompanyRoster }) {
       <Field label="Company Phone" value={roster.companyPhone} />
       <Field label="Company Email" value={roster.email} />
       <Field label="Address" value={address} />
-      {Boolean(roster.googleMapsUrl) && (
-        <Link
-          href={roster.googleMapsUrl}
-          target="_blank"
-          rel="noopener noreferrer"
-          className="inline-flex items-center gap-1"
-        >
-          <LaunchIcon fontSize="small" />
-          Open in Google Maps
-        </Link>
-      )}
+      <Box>
+        <Text variant="caption" tone="muted" sx={{ display: "block" }}>
+          Google Maps
+        </Text>
+        {roster.googleMapsUrl ? (
+          <Link
+            href={roster.googleMapsUrl}
+            target="_blank"
+            rel="noopener noreferrer"
+            className="inline-flex items-center gap-1"
+          >
+            <LaunchIcon fontSize="small" />
+            Open in Google Maps
+          </Link>
+        ) : (
+          <Text variant="description">—</Text>
+        )}
+      </Box>
     </Stack>
   );
 }
@@ -154,23 +171,14 @@ function TechnicianSection({ technician }: { technician: VendorRosterTechnician
             )}
           </Stack>
         </Box>
-        <Stack direction="row" spacing={4} sx={{ alignItems: "flex-end" }}>
+        <Stack direction="row" sx={{ alignItems: "flex-end", justifyContent: "space-between" }}>
           <Box>
             <Text variant="title">{technician.totalJobs ?? 0}</Text>
             <Text variant="caption" tone="muted" sx={{ display: "block" }}>
               Total Jobs
             </Text>
           </Box>
-          <Box>
-            <Text variant="caption" tone="muted" sx={{ display: "block", mb: 0.5 }}>
-              Status
-            </Text>
-            <Chip
-              size="small"
-              label={technician.isActive ? "Active" : "Inactive"}
-              color={technician.isActive ? "success" : "default"}
-            />
-          </Box>
+          <VendorStatusBadge isActive={technician.isActive} />
         </Stack>
       </Stack>
     </Box>
@@ -254,10 +262,13 @@ function DrawerEditor({
   const selectedIndex = technicians.findIndex(
     (technician) => technician.id != null && String(technician.id) === String(vendor.id),
   );
-  const selectedTotalJobs =
-    roster?.technicians.find(
-      (technician) => technician.id != null && String(technician.id) === String(vendor.id),
-    )?.totalJobs ?? vendor.totalJobs;
+  const persistedTechnician = roster?.technicians.find(
+    (technician) => technician.id != null && String(technician.id) === String(vendor.id),
+  );
+  const selectedTotalJobs = persistedTechnician?.totalJobs ?? vendor.totalJobs;
+  // Deactivation is a property of the saved vendor, not of the toggle: flipping an
+  // inactive vendor on and back off without saving must not ask to deactivate it.
+  const persistedIsActive = persistedTechnician?.isActive ?? vendor.isActive;
 
   if (form.isLoading) {
     return <CircularProgress size={28} sx={{ m: "auto" }} />;
@@ -310,7 +321,7 @@ function DrawerEditor({
                       checked={Boolean(field.value)}
                       slotProps={{ input: { "aria-label": "Active status" } }}
                       onChange={(_event, checked) => {
-                        if (field.value && !checked) onRequestDeactivation(vendor);
+                        if (persistedIsActive && !checked) onRequestDeactivation(vendor);
                         else field.onChange(checked);
                       }}
                     />
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-status-badge.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-status-badge.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7fee8970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-status-badge.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import { Box, Stack } from "@mui/material";
+import { Text } from "@/components/ui/text";
+
+/** Dot plus text, so the status never reads by colour alone. */
+export function VendorStatusBadge({ isActive }: { isActive: boolean }) {
+  return (
+    <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} sx={{ alignItems: "center" }}>
+      <Box
+        component="span"
+        sx={{
+          width: 6,
+          height: 6,
+          borderRadius: "9999px",
+          backgroundColor: isActive ? "success.main" : "text.secondary",
+        }}
+      />
+      <Text variant="description">{isActive ? "Active" : "Inactive"}</Text>
+    </Stack>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendors-table.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendors-table.tsx
index db588cff..e524630c 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendors-table.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendors-table.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import {
   TableRow,
   Tooltip,
 } from "@mui/material";
+import { VendorStatusBadge } from "./vendor-status-badge";
 import { Text } from "@/components/ui/text";
 import type { VendorListItem } from "@/domain/vendors/types/vendor";
 
@@ -50,23 +51,6 @@ function stopPropagation(event: MouseEvent): void {
   event.stopPropagation();
 }
 
-function VendorStatus({ isActive }: { isActive: boolean }) {
-  return (
-    <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} sx={{ alignItems: "center", pl: 1 }}>
-      <Box
-        component="span"
-        sx={{
-          width: 6,
-          height: 6,
-          borderRadius: "9999px",
-          backgroundColor: isActive ? "success.main" : "text.secondary",
-        }}
-      />
-      <Text variant="description">{isActive ? "Active" : "Inactive"}</Text>
-    </Stack>
-  );
-}
-
 interface VendorTableRowProps {
   row: VendorListItem;
   onOpenDetail: (row: VendorListItem) => void;
@@ -177,7 +161,9 @@ function VendorTableRow({ row, onOpenDetail, onOpenEdit }: VendorTableRowProps)
       </TableCell>
       <TableCell align="center">{row.totalJobs ?? 0}</TableCell>
       <TableCell>
-        <VendorStatus isActive={row.isActive} />
+        <Box sx={{ pl: 1 }}>
+          <VendorStatusBadge isActive={row.isActive} />
+        </Box>
       </TableCell>
       <TableCell align="right">
         <Stack
diff --git a/src/domain/vendors/api/vendors-api.ts b/src/domain/vendors/api/vendors-api.ts
index 467a3a3b..5afbc13e 100644
--- a/src/domain/vendors/api/vendors-api.ts
+++ b/src/domain/vendors/api/vendors-api.ts
@@ -101,8 +101,11 @@ export const vendorsApi = {
     return mapVendor(handleApiResponse(data));
   },
 
-  delete: async (id: string | number): Promise<void> => {
-    await apiDelete(`${API_PATHS.rest.vendors}/${id}`);
+  // SH-254: confirmOpenWorkOrders tells the API the caller has been shown the
+  // vendor's open work orders and chose to proceed. Without it the API still blocks.
+  delete: async (id: string | number, confirmOpenWorkOrders = false): Promise<void> => {
+    const suffix = confirmOpenWorkOrders ? "?confirmOpenWorkOrders=true" : "";
+    await apiDelete(`${API_PATHS.rest.vendors}/${id}${suffix}`);
   },
 
   getDeactivationImpact: async (id: string | number): Promise<VendorDeactivationImpact> => {
diff --git a/src/domain/vendors/use-cases/use-delete-vendor.ts b/src/domain/vendors/use-cases/use-delete-vendor.ts
index 0457cc7e..17f8ae11 100644
--- a/src/domain/vendors/use-cases/use-delete-vendor.ts
+++ b/src/domain/vendors/use-cases/use-delete-vendor.ts
@@ -3,11 +3,17 @@ import { toast } from "react-toastify";
 import { vendorsApi } from "@/domain/vendors/api/vendors-api";
 import { queryKeys } from "@/infra/query-key/query-key";
 
-export function useDeleteVendor(): UseMutationResult<void, Error, string | number> {
+export interface DeleteVendorInput {
+  id: string | number;
+  confirmOpenWorkOrders?: boolean;
+}
+
+export function useDeleteVendor(): UseMutationResult<void, Error, DeleteVendorInput> {
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
 
   return useMutation({
-    mutationFn: (id: string | number) => vendorsApi.delete(id),
+    mutationFn: ({ id, confirmOpenWorkOrders = false }: DeleteVendorInput) =>
+      vendorsApi.delete(id, confirmOpenWorkOrders),
     onSuccess: () => {
       void queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: queryKeys.vendors.all });
       toast.success("Vendor deactivated");
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendor-detail-drawer.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendor-detail-drawer.test.tsx
index df329a4a..4e52aa7f 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendor-detail-drawer.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendor-detail-drawer.test.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { screen } from "@testing-library/react";
+import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { VendorDetailDrawer } from "@/app/(protected)/vendors/_components/vendor-detail-drawer";
 import { renderWithProviders } from "@/test/test-utils";
@@ -134,3 +135,139 @@ describe("VendorDetailDrawer selected-technician display", () => {
     expect(screen.queryByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 });
+
+describe("VendorDetailDrawer design parity", () => {
+  it("renders the company once when there is no technician name to head the panel", () => {
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(rosterWith([]));
+
+    renderWithProviders(
+      <VendorDetailDrawer open={true} vendor={{ ...vendor, contactName: "" }} onClose={vi.fn()} />,
+      { route: "/vendors", withAuth: false },
+    );
+
+    const heading = screen.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Gateway Plumbing" });
+    expect(heading).toBeInTheDocument();
+    // The header block holds the title alone — no subtitle repeating the company.
+    expect(heading.parentElement?.children).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the company subtitle under a technician name", () => {
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(
+      rosterWith([{ id: 1, contactName: "Adam", phone: "", isActive: true, totalJobs: 5 }]),
+    );
+
+    renderWithProviders(<VendorDetailDrawer open={true} vendor={vendor} onClose={vi.fn()} />, {
+      route: "/vendors",
+      withAuth: false,
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Adam" })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getAllByText("Gateway Plumbing").length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("labels the Google Maps field below Address even when no URL is stored", () => {
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(
+      rosterWith([{ id: 1, contactName: "Adam", phone: "", isActive: true, totalJobs: 5 }]),
+    );
+
+    renderWithProviders(<VendorDetailDrawer open={true} vendor={vendor} onClose={vi.fn()} />, {
+      route: "/vendors",
+      withAuth: false,
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.getByText("Google Maps")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("link", { name: /Open in Google Maps/ })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it("links out to Google Maps when a URL is stored", () => {
+    const roster = rosterWith([
+      { id: 1, contactName: "Adam", phone: "", isActive: true, totalJobs: 5 },
+    ]);
+    roster.data.googleMapsUrl = "https://maps.google.com/?q=1+Industrial+Pkwy";
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(roster);
+
+    renderWithProviders(<VendorDetailDrawer open={true} vendor={vendor} onClose={vi.fn()} />, {
+      route: "/vendors",
+      withAuth: false,
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole("link", { name: /Open in Google Maps/ })).toHaveAttribute(
+      "href",
+      "https://maps.google.com/?q=1+Industrial+Pkwy",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("puts the status opposite Total Jobs and drops the redundant Status label", () => {
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(
+      rosterWith([{ id: 1, contactName: "Adam", phone: "", isActive: true, totalJobs: 5 }]),
+    );
+
+    renderWithProviders(<VendorDetailDrawer open={true} vendor={vendor} onClose={vi.fn()} />, {
+      route: "/vendors",
+      withAuth: false,
+    });
+
+    const row = screen.getByText("Total Jobs").closest("div")?.parentElement;
+    expect(row).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(getComputedStyle(row as Element).justifyContent).toBe("space-between");
+    expect(row).toHaveTextContent("Active");
+    expect(screen.queryByText("Status")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("VendorDetailDrawer deactivation prompt", () => {
+  const inactiveVendor: VendorListItem = { ...vendor, isActive: false };
+
+  it("does not prompt to deactivate a saved-inactive vendor toggled on and back off", async () => {
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(
+      rosterWith([
+        { id: 1, contactName: "Adam", phone: "314-555-0198", isActive: false, totalJobs: 5 },
+      ]),
+    );
+    const onRequestDeactivation = vi.fn();
+
+    renderWithProviders(
+      <VendorDetailDrawer
+        open={true}
+        vendor={inactiveVendor}
+        startInEdit={true}
+        onRequestDeactivation={onRequestDeactivation}
+        onClose={vi.fn()}
+      />,
+      { route: "/vendors", withAuth: false },
+    );
+
+    const toggle = screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" });
+    await userEvent.click(toggle);
+    expect(toggle).toBeChecked();
+
+    await userEvent.click(toggle);
+
+    expect(toggle).not.toBeChecked();
+    expect(onRequestDeactivation).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("prompts to deactivate a saved-active vendor when the toggle is switched off", async () => {
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue(
+      rosterWith([
+        { id: 1, contactName: "Adam", phone: "314-555-0198", isActive: true, totalJobs: 5 },
+      ]),
+    );
+    const onRequestDeactivation = vi.fn();
+
+    renderWithProviders(
+      <VendorDetailDrawer
+        open={true}
+        vendor={vendor}
+        startInEdit={true}
+        onRequestDeactivation={onRequestDeactivation}
+        onClose={vi.fn()}
+      />,
+      { route: "/vendors", withAuth: false },
+    );
+
+    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" }));
+
+    expect(onRequestDeactivation).toHaveBeenCalledWith(vendor);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendors-list.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendors-list.test.tsx
index cbfa47f9..ae5a18d3 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendors-list.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/vendors/vendors-list.test.tsx
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ describe("VendorsListPage", () => {
     expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Adam Whyte" })).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it("blocks deactivation when the preflight reports open work orders", async () => {
+  it("offers deactivate-anyway when the preflight reports open work orders", async () => {
     setupDefaults();
     useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue({
       data: activeRoster,
@@ -213,13 +213,52 @@ describe("VendorsListPage", () => {
     await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" }));
 
     expect(
-      screen.getByText(/cannot be deactivated because it still has open work orders/),
+      screen.getByText(
+        /will no longer be selectable for new work orders\. It still has 1 open work order —/,
+      ),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(screen.getByText(/Boiler repair/)).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^Deactivate$/ })).toBeDisabled();
-    expect(mutate).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(screen.getByRole("link", { name: /Boiler repair/ })).toHaveAttribute(
+      "href",
+      "/workorders/101",
+    );
+
+    const confirm = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Deactivate anyway" });
+    expect(confirm).toBeEnabled();
+    await userEvent.click(confirm);
+
+    expect(mutate).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ id: 1, confirmOpenWorkOrders: true }, expect.anything());
   });
 
+  it("deactivates without the confirmation flag when nothing is linked", async () => {
+    setupDefaults();
+    useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue({
+      data: activeRoster,
+      isLoading: false,
+      isError: false,
+      error: null,
+      refetch: vi.fn(),
+    });
+    useVendorDeactivationImpact.mockReturnValue({
+      data: { vendorId: 1, canDeactivate: true, openWorkOrders: [] },
+      isLoading: false,
+      error: null,
+    });
+    useVendorsList.mockImplementation((params: { isActive?: boolean; pageSize?: number }) => {
+      if (params.pageSize === 1) return result([], 1);
+      return params.isActive ? result([activeVendor], 1) : result([], 0);
+    });
+
+    renderWithProviders(<VendorsListPage />, { route: "/vendors", withAuth: false });
+
+    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Edit vendor Gateway Plumbing" }));
+    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" }));
+
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/It still has/)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^Deactivate$/ }));
+
+    expect(mutate).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ id: 1, confirmOpenWorkOrders: false }, expect.anything());
+  }, 10_000);
+
   it("preserves inline edits when deactivation is cancelled", async () => {
     setupDefaults();
     useVendorCompanyRoster.mockReturnValue({
@@ -247,7 +286,7 @@ describe("VendorsListPage", () => {
     await userEvent.type(company, "Draft Company Name");
     await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Active status" }));
     await userEvent.click(
-      within(screen.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate Vendor" })).getByRole("button", {
+      within(screen.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Deactivate this vendor?" })).getByRole("button", {
         name: "Cancel",
       }),
     );