Why do paperhanging contractors need insurance?
If a delayed shipment of wallpaper makes you miss a client's deadline, you could face a costly lawsuit. Business insurance helps pay for legal defense costs if a client sues your business for negligence. It protects against fires, injuries, and auto accidents, and may be required by laws and contracts.
Find affordable insurance
With Insureon, paperhangers can compare quotes from top-rated insurance companies to find coverage that matches their risks and their budget.
A licensed agent will help you get the right coverage, giving you peace of mind and financial protection.
What types of insurance do paperhanging contractors need?
These insurance policies cover the most common risks faced by wallpaper contractors and businesses.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers basic third-party claims, such as a client who trips over a bucket of adhesive and injures their back. It's often required for leases and contracts.
- Client bodily injuries
- Accidental damage to client property
- Harm caused by wallpaper products
Business owner's policy
Also called a BOP, this insurance package bundles general liability coverage and commercial property insurance at a discount. It's the most cost-effective type of insurance if you have an office.
- Accidents that injure clients
- Client property damage
- Damage to your building or its contents
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for wallpaper companies that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance might deny.
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Employee injury lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
This policy helps pay for legal fees and damages if a wallpaper installer's vehicle is involved in an accident. Almost every state requires this coverage for vehicles owned by a business.
- Property damage caused by a work vehicle
- Medical costs if another person is injured
- Vehicle vandalism and theft
Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance
Tools and equipment coverage helps pay for repair or replacement of brushes, rollers, pasting tables, and similar items that travel to jobsites. It's also called inland marine insurance.
- Hand tools and power tools
- Measuring tapes and levels
- Ladders and scaffolding
Professional liability insurance
This type of insurance coverage pays for legal costs when a contractor is sued for a paperhanging mistake or oversight. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Installation of wrong design
- Misalignment of wallpaper
- Failure to finish a project on time
How much does insurance cost for paperhanging businesses?
A paperhanging contractor who works independently will pay less for insurance than a larger business.
Factors that can affect a contractor's insurance premiums include:
- Your specialty, such as wallpaper, drywall, paint, or stucco
- Value of your business property and tools
- Business size, location, and revenue
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions
- Coverage options, such as an additional insured
How do I get paperhanging insurance?
It’s easy to get paperhanging contractor insurance if you have your business information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your company, such as revenue and number of employees. Small business owners can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find affordable insurance solutions for your wallpaper business, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about insurance for paperhanging contractors and wallpaper installers
Review answers to frequently asked questions about paperhanging and wallpaper insurance and licensing.
Do paperhanging contractors need a license or certification?
In most cases, wallpaper hangers don't need a license, permit, or certification to do their work, other than a regular business license. However, it depends on the laws in your state and the type of projects you take on. Here are a few examples:
- You might need a contractor's license. In some states, you'll need a contractor's license to work on higher value painting and paperhanging projects. For example, in Alabama you need a painting and wall covering license for projects valued over $50,000.
- You might need a building permit. State laws determine when you need a building permit for a project. New construction and home renovation often require a permit.
- You might need a lead abatement certificate. If you work in buildings that were built before 1978, then you likely need to be certified in lead abatement, either through your state or through the Department of Environmental Protection (EPA).
- Licenses and certifications help you win contracts. Even when it's not required, a license or certification can help raise your business above the competition when trying to get a contract or win a bid. Some contracts may even require it.
What other types of coverage are recommended for paperhangers and wallpaper professionals?
Paperhangers have different insurance needs depending on the specifics of their business, their work, and their contracts. You may want to consider these additional policies as part of your risk management strategy:
- Commercial umbrella insurance activates to provide coverage when your underlying general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, or employer's liability insurance policy reaches the limit on a claim.
- Surety bonds provide a financial guarantee that your paperhanging business will comply with regulations and fulfill the terms of its contracts. Common types of construction bonds include bid bonds, performance bonds, and fidelity bonds.
- Installation floater insurance helps pay for financial losses if rolls of wallpaper or other materials awaiting installation are damaged or stolen at a jobsite. It's a type of inland marine insurance.
- Builder's risk insurance, also called course of construction insurance, covers damage to a structure in progress. It helps general contractor businesses recover from financial losses caused by fires, storms, or vandalism at a construction site.