Who this page is for
This page is for Virginia flooring installers working with wood, resilient flooring, tile, carpet and specialty surfaces. Ford Agency works with one-person artisan businesses, established flooring companies and operations that need a more specialized market review.
Typical flooring operations
- Hardwood, laminate and resilient flooring
- Carpet and tile installation
- Floor preparation, sanding and finishing
- Commercial or specialty flooring when fully described
Important differences within this trade
Two contractors using the same trade label can present very different exposures. Helpful distinctions include:
- Use of adhesives, coatings and solvents
- Sanding, refinishing and dust control
- Custody of materials before installation
- Work in occupied properties and high-value interiors
Floor preparation products, finish chemicals and damage to completed interiors can matter as much as the installation itself. Identify the materials and products you use and whether your business refinishes existing floors.
Coverage conversations to have
General liability and completed work
General liability may respond to certain third-party bodily-injury or property-damage claims, subject to the policy. It should not be treated as a warranty for faulty workmanship. Coverage for completed operations, subcontractor-caused loss, property in your care, pollution or professional mistakes depends on policy wording and endorsements.
Materials awaiting installation
Flooring materials may be stored at your shop, transported in a vehicle or trailer, delivered to a project, or held at the jobsite before installation. An installation floater may help address covered loss to qualifying materials while they are in transit, temporarily stored or awaiting installation, subject to its terms. The insured property, locations, limits and covered causes of loss should be reviewed carefully.
Vehicles, trailers, tools and equipment
Work trucks, vans and trailers generally call for a commercial-auto discussion. Tools and mobile equipment may need inland marine or contractors-equipment coverage. Leaving property in a vehicle does not mean the auto policy covers it. Review where property travels, how it is stored and the values at risk.
Employees and workers’ compensation
Employee duties, payroll by class, lifting, sanding equipment, machinery and driving affect the workers’ compensation review. Virginia requirements depend on the facts, and subcontractor employees can affect the statutory count. Use the official Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission guidance for current rules.
Dust, chemicals and pollution liability
Adhesives, stains, sealants, solvents, finishes, sanding dust, mold, lead or asbestos can create exposures that may not be fully addressed by an ordinary general liability policy. Pollution liability may deserve review, particularly for refinishing, demolition, restoration or work in older buildings.
Subcontractors, certificates and written requirements
Keep written agreements and evidence of insurance from subcontractors. When a customer asks for additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary-and-noncontributory wording or special limits, send the written requirement. A certificate is generally evidence of insurance and does not ordinarily amend a policy.
What to send Ford Agency
- A detailed description and percentage of each operation
- Annual sales, payroll and employee count
- Subcontracted cost, trades used and risk-transfer practices
- Vehicle, driver, trailer, tool and equipment information
- Maximum value of materials awaiting installation
- Products, adhesives, coatings, stains and solvents used
- Current policies, recent loss runs and requested effective date
- Contracts, bid specifications or certificate requirements when available