State Guide·11 min read
Louisiana Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
Louisiana subcontractor insurance requirements: GL minimums, WC rules, lien privilege laws, and LSLBC licensing explained for GCs.
The Compliance Blog
Practical guides on COI tracking, W-9 collection, and subcontractor compliance for general contractors.
State Guide·11 min read
South Carolina Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
South Carolina GC compliance guide: workers' comp thresholds, GL requirements, lien waiver rules, and how to protect your license and paycheck.
State Guide·14 min read
Tennessee Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
Tennessee subcontractor insurance requirements: contractor licensing thresholds, WC rules for construction, lien filing deadlines, and the compliance checklist GCs need.
State Guide·12 min read
Maryland Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
Maryland subcontractor insurance requirements: MHIC licensing, WC thresholds, lien waiver rules, and what GCs must collect before work begins.
State Guide·12 min read
Pennsylvania Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
Pennsylvania subcontractor insurance requirements: GL minimums, WC rules, WC exemptions, W-9/1099, lien waivers, and a GC compliance checklist.
State Guide·11 min read
Illinois Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
Illinois GC compliance guide: subcontractor insurance minimums, WC rules, W-9s, lien waivers, and licensing requirements in one place.
State Guide·11 min read
Ohio Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A GC's Compliance Guide
Ohio GC insurance requirements for subs: GL minimums, WC rules, BWC coverage, lien waivers, and W-9 collection explained in plain language.
State Guide·11 min read
Washington Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A General Contractor's Complete Guide
Washington GC compliance guide: contractor registration, GL minimums, monopolistic WC state rules, lien laws, and a checklist to protect your registration.
State Guide·11 min read
Colorado Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: What General Contractors Must Know
Colorado GC compliance guide: WC requirements, lien waiver rules, no statewide license, and how to protect your business from sub liability.
State Guide·12 min read
Arizona Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A GC's Compliance Guide
Arizona subcontractor insurance requirements for GCs: ROC licensing, GL limits, workers comp rules, WC exemptions, W-9s, and lien waivers explained.
Compliance·10 min read
Certified Payroll for Subcontractors: What General Contractors Must Collect and File
GCs are legally on the hook for every sub's WH-347. Learn how to collect certified payroll from every tier and what happens when a sub refuses.
Compliance·11 min read
Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage: A GC's Guide to Federal Construction Wage Rules
Davis-Bacon requires federal construction workers earn locally determined prevailing wages. Learn when it applies, how to pull wage determinations, and how to stay compliant.
Compliance·11 min read
Certified Payroll Form WH-347: Line-by-Line Instructions for GCs
Complete line-by-line walkthrough of certified payroll Form WH-347, with examples, common mistakes, and paper vs. electronic filing rules for GCs.
State Guide·10 min read
Virginia Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A General Contractor's Guide
Virginia GCs face steep WC fines and lien waiver traps. Here's what insurance to require from subs and how to stay compliant in 2024.
State Guide·12 min read
North Carolina Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
NC requires subcontractors to carry GL and WC before stepping on your job site. Here's what every NC general contractor needs to verify.
State Guide·11 min read
Georgia Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A General Contractor's Complete Guide
Georgia GC compliance guide: WC thresholds, lien waiver statutes, licensing rules, and subcontractor insurance requirements explained for small contractors.
Compliance·10 min read
The 2026 1099-NEC Threshold Change: What the $2,000 Rule Means for General Contractors
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raised the 1099-NEC reporting threshold from $600 to $2,000 starting in 2026. Here's what changed, how it affects your sub payments, and what GCs need to do right now.
tools·8 min read
Free COI Tracking Spreadsheet Template for General Contractors (+ When to Upgrade)
Download a free Google Sheets COI tracking template built for general contractors. Tracks COIs, W-9s, and expirations. Plus: when you'll outgrow it and what to look for next.
Compliance·11 min read
How to Handle a Workers' Comp Audit as a General Contractor
Workers' comp audits are inevitable. Here's how to prepare, what auditors actually look for, how subcontractor records affect your premium, and how to avoid a surprise bill.
W-9 & Tax·7 min read
1099-NEC vs 1099-MISC for Contractors: Which One Do You File?
Since 2020, nonemployee compensation has its own form. Here's exactly when to use 1099-NEC versus 1099-MISC for subcontractor payments, plus common mistakes to avoid.
Compliance·7 min read
30/60/90 Day Implementation Plan for COI Tracking Software
Rolling out COI tracking software is simple in theory and messy in practice. Here's a 30/60/90 day plan that gets your team from chaos to clean compliance.
Risk Management·8 min read
The 8 Endorsement Clauses That Break COI Compliance
A COI can look perfect and still leave you exposed. Here are the 8 endorsement clauses that most commonly defeat subcontractor insurance, and how to spot each one.
State Guide·7 min read
ACORD 855 in New York Construction: What It Confirms That a COI Doesn't
The ACORD 855 form is a New York construction industry requirement that confirms specific coverage details a standard Certificate of Insurance can't prove. Here's what it is, when you need it, and how to verify it.
Risk Management·8 min read
Additional Insured Endorsement Explained: What Every GC Needs to Know
What an Additional Insured endorsement actually does, why it matters for general contractors, the difference between CG 20 10 and CG 20 37, and how to verify you're protected.
Risk Management·7 min read
The Additional Insured Trap: What Your COI Won't Tell You
Your COI says you're Additional Insured. The policy may say otherwise. Here are the common traps where AI status looks fine on paper but defeats in practice.
COI Tracking·8 min read
AI vs OCR for COI Review: What Actually Works for GCs in 2026
AI-powered COI tracking platforms promise to read certificates better than OCR. Here's what the difference actually means, where each falls short, and what matters for general contractors.
Compliance·9 min read
AIA G702 and G703: A GC's Guide to Pay Applications
AIA G702 and G703 are the industry-standard forms for construction pay applications. Here's what each field means, how to fill them out, and what to check before approving.
W-9 & Tax·7 min read
Backup Withholding on 1099 Payments: The 24% Rule Explained
When you pay a subcontractor without a valid W-9, the IRS requires you to withhold 24% as backup withholding. Here's how it works, when it applies, and how to avoid it.
finance·8 min read
Bid Bonds vs Performance Bonds: A GC's Guide to Surety Bonds
Surety bonds are required on most public projects and many private ones. Here's the difference between bid, performance, and payment bonds, and how GCs should think about each.
Compliance·8 min read
Certified Payroll and Prevailing Wage: A General Contractor's Guide
Federal and state public projects require certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage rates. Here's what GCs need to know about WH-347, Davis-Bacon, and state equivalents.
contract·8 min read
Change Order Management for General Contractors
Change orders are where construction projects lose money. Here's a practical GC playbook for documenting, pricing, and approving change orders so you get paid for extra work.
Compliance·8 min read
COI Compliance Audit Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before an Auditor Arrives
An insurance auditor, carrier, or owner is asking for your subcontractor compliance records. Here's exactly what they're looking for and how to make sure you pass.
finance·8 min read
Construction Loan Insurance Requirements: What Lenders Actually Track
Construction lenders care about insurance more than most GCs realize. Here's what lenders track, what documentation they require, and how to avoid closing delays over insurance gaps.
Comparison·7 min read
The First 90 Days After Switching COI Tools: What Actually Changes
Switching from a spreadsheet or legacy COI tool to a modern platform is a process, not an event. Here's what actually changes in the first 90 days after the switch.
Compliance·6 min read
Healthcare Vendor Insurance Compliance: A Guide for Hospitals and Clinics
Hospitals and clinics face unique vendor compliance challenges. Here's what healthcare facilities need to track from contractors, maintenance vendors, and service providers.
Comparison·9 min read
The Hidden Cost of Spreadsheet COI Tracking
Excel and Google Sheets feel free. Until the day a missed expiration costs you a job. Here's the real cost of spreadsheet-based COI tracking for general contractors.
Compliance·6 min read
Higher Education Facility Compliance: A Practical Guide
Colleges and universities manage construction and vendor compliance across campuses with unique regulatory and safety requirements. Here's what facilities teams need to track.
COI Tracking·9 min read
How to Read a Certificate of Insurance (COI): A General Contractor's Guide
Every GC has stared at an ACORD 25 wondering what they're looking at. Here's exactly how to read a Certificate of Insurance, section by section, and what to flag.
Compliance·6 min read
Manufacturing Contractor Compliance: A Guide for Plant Managers
Manufacturing facilities bring contractors on site for maintenance, equipment installation, and plant shutdowns. Here's what plant managers need to track to keep compliance airtight.
contract·8 min read
Mechanic's Liens and Lien Waivers: What GCs Need to Know
Mechanic's liens can cloud title on a project and create massive payment disputes. Here's how liens work, why GCs require waivers, and the four types of lien waivers every contractor should know.
Compliance·8 min read
Monopolistic Workers' Comp States: What General Contractors Need to Know
Four US states require Workers' Compensation coverage exclusively through a state fund. Private insurance doesn't count. Here's what GCs need to know about North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming.
Compliance·7 min read
Multi-Family Residential GC Compliance: A Practical Guide
Multi-family construction has its own compliance complications: residential exclusions, defect litigation risk, and long statutes of repose. Here's what multi-family GCs need to track.
Compliance·7 min read
Naming Consistency: How to Stop Vendor Record Errors
Most vendor record errors come from inconsistent naming across documents. Here's why naming consistency matters and how to build a process that catches errors early.
Risk Management·8 min read
On-Site vs Off-Site Coverage in Construction: What GCs Miss
Most COI disputes in construction come down to whether a loss happened on-site or off-site. Here's what the difference means, how each is covered, and the gaps that trip up GCs.
Risk Management·7 min read
Primary and Non-Contributory: What GCs Need to Know
Primary and non-contributory language determines whose insurance pays first when a claim happens. Here's what it means, why GCs require it, and how to verify it.
Comparison·5 min read
Procore COI Integration: What GCs Need to Know (Even Without Native Sync)
Procore is the dominant construction project management platform. Here's how GCs handle COI tracking alongside Procore, with and without a native integration.
Compliance·6 min read
Property Management Vendor Compliance: A Practical Guide
Property managers juggle dozens of vendors across multiple properties. Here's how to build a vendor insurance compliance program that actually works for multi-property portfolios.
finance·7 min read
Retainage in Construction: A General Contractor's Guide
Retainage is the percentage withheld from every pay application until project completion. Here's how it works, state law variations, and how to manage retainage without killing your cash flow.
Compliance·6 min read
Risk Maturity Self-Assessment for General Contractors
Where is your GC business on the risk management maturity curve? Here's a practical self-assessment to evaluate your current state and identify the biggest improvement opportunities.
Compliance·7 min read
Subcontractor Exception Management: Accept, Escalate, or Reject
Not every compliance issue is a deal-breaker, and not every one is acceptable. Here's a framework GCs can use to decide whether to accept, escalate, or reject a sub with incomplete compliance.
Compliance·8 min read
Subcontractor Onboarding Checklist: The 10 Documents Every GC Needs
A practical, GC-tested checklist for onboarding every subcontractor properly. COI, W-9, WC, licensing, and the rest. Use as a template for your own onboarding workflow.
Risk Management·6 min read
Third-Party Risk Management in Construction: A GC's Playbook
Subcontractors are third parties, and managing the risk they bring to your projects is one of the biggest responsibilities a GC has. Here's the practical third-party risk management playbook.
Compliance·7 min read
Tiered Subcontractor Compliance for Large Projects
On large construction projects, not every sub needs the same compliance scrutiny. Here's how to tier subcontractors by risk and apply proportional compliance requirements.
Risk Management·8 min read
How to Handle an Uninsured Subcontractor: A General Contractor's Playbook
Discovered a subcontractor without insurance mid-project? Here's exactly what to do next. In priority order. To protect yourself and fix the gap.
COI Tracking·6 min read
How to Verify Subcontractor Insurance: A 3-Layer Approach
Verifying a subcontractor's insurance isn't just collecting a COI. Here's the 3-layer verification process GCs should use to confirm coverage is real, adequate, and enforceable.
W-9 & Tax·8 min read
W-9 vs W-8: Which Form Does Your Subcontractor Need?
W-9 is for US persons. W-8 is for foreign persons. Here's how to determine which your sub needs, the different W-8 variants, and the withholding rules that apply to each.
Risk Management·7 min read
Waiver of Subrogation Explained for General Contractors
What a waiver of subrogation actually does, why GCs require it from subs, how to verify it's on the policy, and what happens when it's missing.
State Guide·10 min read
New York Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A GC's Complete Guide
New York's Scaffold Law creates unique liability risks for GCs. Here's everything you need on subcontractor insurance, WC, and lien waivers in NY.
State Guide·10 min read
Texas Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors (2024 Guide)
Texas subcontractor insurance requirements explained for GCs: WC opt-outs, GL minimums, lien waivers, W-9s, and what actually gets you in trouble.
State Guide·11 min read
California Subcontractor Insurance Requirements: A General Contractor's Complete Guide
California subcontractor insurance requirements for GCs: GL minimums, WC rules, exemptions, lien waivers, and compliance checklist to protect your license.
Compliance·9 min read
The Complete Guide to Subcontractor Compliance for General Contractors
Everything GCs need to know about tracking subcontractor COIs, W-9s, workers' comp, and lien waivers. Avoid audit surprises, IRS penalties, and coverage gaps.
State Guide·7 min read
Florida Subcontractor Insurance Requirements for General Contractors
What Florida GCs need to know about subcontractor insurance requirements, workers' comp rules, COI verification, and compliance tracking in the Sunshine State.
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