Texas Carpentry Contractor Certificate of Insurance Requirements

A carpentry contractor's Certificate of Insurance is the gate to commercial work in Texas. Because trim and cabinetry defect claims surface months after install, commercial GCs verify completed-operations coverage on the COI before allowing a carpentry sub to mobilize. Delivering the right endorsements the first time keeps you on the job and protects the GC downline.

Endorsements a Commercial GC Verifies

• Additional Insured via CG 20 10 (ongoing operations) and CG 20 37 (completed operations)
• Waiver of Subrogation in favor of the GC and owner
• Primary and Non-Contributory wording
• Products and Completed Operations coverage included
• GL limit of $1M/$2M (commercial: $2M/$2M)
• Workers' comp with waiver of subrogation

Why Carpentry Needs CG 20 37

A trim separation or cabinetry failure discovered after install is a completed-operations claim. CG 20 37 extends additional-insured status to completed operations so the GC is protected after the carpentry sub leaves. Many Texas commercial contracts now require both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 — a COI showing only a generic "Additional Insured" is insufficient and will be rejected.

Completed-Operations Coverage on the COI

Verify your own policy supports the COI you are issuing. A carpentry GL with a faulty-workmanship exclusion or a short completed-operations sunset cannot back a COI claiming defect coverage. Provide the endorsement letter confirming completed operations before the GC requests the certificate. Confirm the policy covers the carpentry class codes you actually perform.

Sub COIs for 1099 Carpentry Crews

If you run 1099 carpentry crews, the GC may require their COIs naming you additional insured. Track sub expirations and collect renewals before the old certificate lapses. An uninsured carpentry crew mid-job turns a covered exposure into an uninsured one on your GL.

Delivery and Timing

Deliver the COI before mobilization. Most Texas commercial contracts condition site access on a compliant COI; starting work without it can void your contract and shift liability. Keep a copy of every COI and endorsement for the statute-of-limitations window after project completion.