Texas Framing Contractor Insurance Requirements

Framing contractors in Texas work across wood and steel framing for residential and commercial construction. Each line carries structural-defect risk and the highest fall exposure on a job site. Insurance for framing contractors has to account for truss and wall work at height, saw and nail-gun injuries, and the completed-operations claims that surface after the frame is closed.

General Liability for Framing Contractors

GL for framing contractors centers on structural damage and completed operations. A framing error can cause structural failure that exceeds the job value many times over. Standard limits start at $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate for residential and commercial work. Verify your GL covers the framing class codes you actually perform — wood and steel — and that completed operations is included without a short sunset.

Structural and Completed Operations

Framing defect claims — truss failure, wall movement, floor deflection — can surface months or years after the frame is closed. Completed-operations coverage is essential, and the policy should not cap it with a short sunset. Some policies attempt to exclude faulty workmanship entirely; avoid those, because resulting structural damage from a failed frame is exactly what GL should cover.

Workers' Comp for Framing Crews

Framing crews work at height on trusses, walls, and scaffolding, and operate saws and nail guns. Falls, saw lacerations, and nail-gun injuries are top claims. Texas doesn't require workers' comp for private employers, but commercial GCs almost always require it before letting a framing sub on site. Without workers' comp, a single fall is an uninsured catastrophe against the owner personally.

Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine)

Framing equipment — nail guns, compressors, saws, lifts, and scaffolding — is expensive and frequently moved between job sites. Inland marine coverage protects against theft and damage. Verify coverage extends to equipment in transit and on site, and that per-item limits cover your most expensive lifts and scaffolding.

Commercial Auto for Framing Trucks

Framing trucks haul lumber, trusses, and tools in loaded trucks and trailers. A loaded truck accident can exceed Texas minimum auto limits of $30K/$60K/$25K. Carry commercial auto with adequate limits and add hired and non-owned for crew using personal vehicles for work errands.

What GCs Require from Framing Subs

• General Liability with $1M/$2M minimum (commercial: $2M/$2M)
• Workers' Compensation with employer liability
• Additional Insured endorsement (CG 20 10 or CG 20 37)
• Waiver of subrogation
• Primary and non-contributory wording
• Completed operations coverage for structural claims