What helps right now
Coverage gets paid for out of the price you quote.
The guides and templates for this pillar are still being built (below). In the meantime, the fastest way to afford the right coverage is to price jobs so it’s baked in — these free tools do that.
Labor Burden Rate
Workers’ comp is part of your loaded cost — see your real number so every quote covers it.
Open calculator →FreeMarkup vs. Margin
Set a margin that leaves room for GL premiums and bonding — not just materials and labor.
Open calculator →CatalogBrowse the templates
22 estimating, contract, invoicing, and marketing templates — the rest of the back office.
Open the shop →Insurance and compliance are where solo trades either lock themselves out of the best work or quietly carry risk that one bad day could end the business. A GC won’t let you on a commercial site without a Certificate of Insurance naming them as additional insured. A workers’ comp audit can claw back premium if your records are messy. And general-liability cost varies enormously — a painter might pay $600–$1,200/year while a roofer pays several times that for the same $1M policy.
Guides & templates publishing soon — be first to get them.
We don’t post empty stubs. Here’s what’s on the build list for this pillar. Drop your email and you’ll get each one the day it lands (plus the COI and safety templates as they’re released).
Quick answers
Insurance & compliance FAQ.
How much does general liability cost for a contractor?
It varies widely by trade, payroll, location, and limits. Lower-risk trades (painters, flooring) often see roughly $600–$1,500/year for a $1M/$2M policy; higher-risk trades (roofing, framing) pay considerably more. The GL-cost guide (coming) breaks it down by trade.
What is a COI and why does the GC keep asking for one?
A Certificate of Insurance proves you carry coverage and can name the GC as “additional insured,” shifting certain risk. No COI, no access to most commercial sites. The COI guide + template (coming) will explain each box and the endorsement to request.
Do I need workers’ comp if it’s just me?
It depends on your state and whether you have employees or use subs — some states require it even for sole proprietors in construction. The workers’-comp-by-state guide (coming) will cover thresholds and how GCs’ requirements can effectively mandate it.