TRADESMEN INSURANCE costs
Compare free quotes and see how much insurance costs for tradesmen
CONTRACTOR-SPECIALIST INSURANCE PROVIDERS
How Much Does Tradesmen Insurance Cost?
Written by Curran Clark
Co-Founder & Licensed
Insurance Producer
Insurance costs vary dramatically across the trades. What a landscaper pays for general liability looks nothing like what a roofer pays, even with identical policy limits. Understanding why helps you budget smarter and avoid overpaying for coverage you need.
The construction industry’s 11 million skilled tradespeople face wildly different premium structures based on their specialty. Whether you’re running a painting crew, managing excavation projects, or handling residential plumbing, knowing what drives your insurance costs helps you make informed decisions and find the best value for your specific trade.
What determines your premium?
While pricing varies by trade, these factors affect costs across all contractor specialties:
Risk Classification
Your trade’s class code directly impacts base rates, with high-risk trades paying significantly more
Revenue & Payroll
Most premiums scale with your annual revenue or payroll size
Claims History
Past claims can increase premiums substantially at renewal
Coverage Limits
Higher limits and lower deductibles mean higher premiums
Why Insurance Costs Vary by Trade
A roofer’s premium can run five times higher than a handyman’s for the same coverage limits. The difference comes down to risk classification, claim frequency, and average claim severity. Whether you’re a solo operator seeking affordable coverage or scaling a larger business, understanding your trade’s pricing dynamics helps you budget accurately and identify opportunities to lower costs without sacrificing protection.
FIND YOUR TRADE
We’ve broken down insurance pricing by specialty, because a plumber’s premiums look nothing like a painter’s. Select your trade to discover typical costs, what drives pricing, and how to find the best rates for your specific work.
Home Improvement and Renovation Contractors Cost
Appliance Repair Business Insurance
Cost Factors:
Low-to-moderate risk classification, in-home service exposure
Overview
Typically affordable coverage with costs driven by service volume and whether technicians work on gas appliances.
Carpenter Insurance
Cost Factors:
Structural work classification, workers’ comp rates, tool values
Overview
Mid-range premiums reflecting structural liability exposure and workplace injury frequency in woodworking trades.
Concrete Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Heavy equipment use, project size, completed operations risk
Overview
Moderate-to-higher premiums driven by equipment values, injury exposure, and long-tail liability from structural work.
Construction Insurance
Cost Factors:
Project scope, subcontractor use, multiple risk exposures
Overview
Highly variable pricing based on project types, annual revenue, and the breadth of work performed.
Door and Window Installation Insurance
Cost Factors:
Glass breakage frequency, installation error claims, property access
Overview
Generally affordable coverage with costs influenced by project volume and material values handled.
Drywall Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Injury rates, dust exposure claims, scaffold work
Overview
Moderate pricing reflecting physical labor risks and occasional property damage claims from installation work.
Electrician Insurance
Cost Factors:
Fire risk classification, shock hazard exposure, completed operations
Overview
Moderate premiums due to fire and shock liability, with costs varying significantly based on residential versus commercial work.
Flooring Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Material costs, adhesive exposure, repetitive motion injuries
Overview
Moderate premiums with pricing influenced by flooring types installed and annual project volume.
General Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Subcontractor oversight, project values, multiple trade exposures
Overview
Variable costs reflecting the scope of projects managed and whether coverage extends to subcontractor work.
Handyman Insurance
Cost Factors:
Low risk classification, service variety, smaller project scope
Overview
Among the most affordable contractor coverage due to lower-risk work and smaller average claim sizes.
HVAC Insurance
Cost Factors:
Refrigerant handling, equipment values, installation liability
Overview
Moderate-to-higher premiums reflecting specialized equipment risks and potential for property damage claims.
Millwork Insurance
Cost Factors:
Custom material values, installation complexity, shop operations
Overview
Pricing varies based on whether coverage includes shop operations or installation work only.
Painters Insurance
Cost Factors:
Low base rates, height work exposure, overspray claims
Overview
Generally affordable coverage, though exterior and commercial painters pay more due to height and equipment factors.
Plasterers and Stucco Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Scaffold work, moisture damage claims, application defects
Overview
Moderate premiums reflecting physical labor risks and completed operations exposure from exterior work.
Plumbers Insurance
Cost Factors:
Water damage severity, completed operations risk, service type
Overview
Moderate-to-higher costs driven by the potential severity of water damage claims and long-tail liability.
Pressure Washing Business Insurance
Cost Factors:
Property damage frequency, equipment operation, surface damage claims
Overview
Affordable coverage with costs influenced by project volume and types of surfaces serviced.
Remodeling Insurance
Cost Factors:
Project scope, multiple trade exposure, structural work
Overview
Variable pricing based on project types, whether structural work is performed, and annual revenue.
Roofing Insurance
Cost Factors:
High-risk classification, fall exposure, weather damage claims
Overview
Among the highest contractor premiums due to fall risks, workers’ comp rates, and significant completed operations exposure.
Tile/Stone Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Material values, installation defect claims, repetitive injuries
Overview
Moderate premiums with costs influenced by material types handled and project complexity.
Window Cleaning Insurance
Cost Factors:
Height exposure, property damage risk, equipment factors
Overview
Variable pricing based heavily on whether work involves multi-story buildings or ground-level only.
Outdoor and Landscaping Contractors Cost
Excavation Insurance
Cost Factors:
Utility strike risk, heavy equipment, project depth
Overview
Higher premiums reflecting underground utility exposure and the severity of potential property damage claims.
Fencing Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Underground utility risk, property line disputes, equipment use
Overview
Moderate pricing with costs driven by project volume and whether excavation equipment is used.
Landscaping Insurance
Cost Factors:
Equipment values, chemical application, property damage frequency
Overview
Moderate premiums varying based on services offered, equipment owned, and whether pesticide application is included.
Lawn Care Insurance
Cost Factors:
Low-risk classification, equipment operation, chemical use
Overview
Generally affordable coverage, with costs increasing if chemical application services are offered.
Masonry Insurance
Cost Factors:
Structural work classification, scaffold exposure, material costs
Overview
Moderate-to-higher premiums reflecting structural liability and workplace injury exposure.
Paving and Asphalt Contractors Insurance
Cost Factors:
Heavy equipment, burn injuries, environmental exposure
Overview
Higher premiums driven by equipment values, hot material handling, and workers’ compensation rates.
Pool Cleaner Insurance
Cost Factors:
Chemical handling, property access, low claim frequency
Overview
Affordable coverage for maintenance-only operations, with costs increasing for repair work.
Swimming Pool Contractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Excavation risk, structural liability, equipment values
Overview
Higher premiums reflecting excavation exposure, long-tail structural liability, and specialized equipment.
Tree Service Insurance
Cost Factors:
High-risk classification, fall exposure, property damage severity
Overview
Among the highest contractor premiums due to extreme injury risk and potential for catastrophic property damage claims.
Professional Service Contractors Costs
Architect Insurance
Cost Factors:
Professional liability exposure, project values, design complexity
Overview
E&O-focused pricing based on project types, firm size, and claims history.
Home Inspector Insurance
Cost Factors:
E&O exposure, inspection volume, missed defect claims
Overview
Moderate professional liability costs driven by inspection volume and regional claim frequency.
Specialized Service Contractors costs
Carpet Cleaning Insurance
Cost Factors:
Property damage frequency, chemical use, low severity claims
Overview
Affordable coverage reflecting lower risk classification and smaller average claim sizes.
Debris Removal Insurance
Cost Factors:
Property damage risk, disposal liability, vehicle exposure
Overview
Moderate premiums with costs influenced by disposal methods and vehicle fleet size.
Janitorial Insurance
Cost Factors:
Slip-and-fall claims, property access, employee count
Overview
Affordable base rates with costs scaling primarily based on payroll and number of locations serviced.
Locksmith Insurance
Cost Factors:
Security liability, bonding requirements, service type
Overview
Moderate pricing reflecting security-related liability exposure and professional service risks.
Pest Control Insurance
Cost Factors:
Chemical application liability, property access, environmental exposure
Overview
Moderate premiums driven by chemical handling requirements and potential contamination claims.
Septic Tank Cleaning Insurance
Cost Factors:
Environmental liability, contamination risk, equipment values
Overview
Moderate-to-higher costs reflecting environmental exposure and specialized equipment requirements.
Subcontractor Insurance
Cost Factors:
Trade classification, certificate requirements, project types
Overview
Costs mirror the underlying trade, with pricing influenced by GC certificate requirements and project scope.
Specialized Trade Contractors costs
Garage Keepers Insurance
Cost Factors:
Vehicle values, storage capacity, theft exposure
Overview
Pricing based on maximum vehicle values in custody and facility security measures.
Garage Liability Insurance
Cost Factors:
Service types, customer vehicle exposure, shop operations
Overview
Moderate premiums varying based on services offered and number of vehicles handled.
Welding Insurance
Cost Factors:
Fire risk classification, shop versus mobile work, equipment values
Overview
Higher premiums reflecting significant fire exposure and specialized equipment requirements.
Understanding Tradesmen Insurance Pricing
When evaluating insurance costs for your contracting business, consider the following key factors.
Risk classification
Your trade’s class code and how insurers rate your specific work
Business size
How revenue, payroll, and employee count affect your premiums
Coverage needs
Balancing adequate limits against budget constraints
Shopping strategy
Working with specialists who understand contractor pricing
Cost reduction
Safety programs, claims management, and other ways to lower premiums