/ BLOG

Common Risks Carpentry Contractors Should Be Aware Of

May 3, 2023 · 5 minutes to read

Every job has its risks, and carpentry is no exception. These worries might double if you own a small carpentry business. When you’re running the show, it’s also your job to clean up messes and set things right.

A carpenter working with wood at workshop

Carpentry business risks are part of owning a business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take action now. Basic steps could help prevent carpenter liability exposures that could cut into your hard-earned savings and put the nail in your business’ coffin.

Here are five common carpentry business risks and ways you can help protect your business against them.

1. Injuries

Good carpenters take workplace safety seriously. If you are injured on the job, it could impact your ability to earn an income. You might be forced to temporarily close your business, miss out on projects, and potentially lose clients. However, injuries to others might cause just as much trouble for your business.

Injuries to your clients and customers may lead to expensive compensation claims or lawsuits. Even an accident—like someone tripping over your toolbox on a worksite—could leave you with a huge hospital bill to cover.

General Liability insurance can be a great backup to your safety procedures. These carpenter insurance policies help cover third-party injury claims, so you don’t have to pay these expenses from your accounts.

2. Lost, stolen or damaged tools

“A poor carpenter blames their tools,” but they’re still essential to getting your work done! Not having the tools you need could seriously set you back. It could mean waiting for costly repairs or replacements and potentially missing out on business while you wait.

Ways to help protect your tools from loss, damage or theft include:

  • Proper care and maintenance to help them last longer
  • Keep a tool checklist when you’re working outside your workshop to prevent loss
  • Return your tools as soon as you’re finished using them
  • Secure all tools in a locked tool chest, vehicle, or workspace to deter thieves

3. Damaging others’ property

Carpenters often work in residential homes, businesses, and construction worksites. This puts you in contact with many other people—like customers, clients, contractors and the general public—and their property. Even if it’s an accident, you could be liable for damage you cause to someone else’s belongings.

General Liability insurance can also help you prevent carpenter liability exposures related to third-party property damage. If you unintentionally break another person’s belongings on the job, your policy will help cover the costs of repairing or replacing their property.

4. Bad weather

The services you offer may mean working at the mercy of mother nature. Rough carpentry, framing, and outdoor installations are all reasons why you might be working outside. Rain and other wild weather could cause expensive project delays, and extreme temperatures could make it harder to do your job.

Ways to help protect yourself when you work outside include:

  • Consider the weather when booking jobs or installations
  • Include buffer time into work contracts (when possible) to account for weather delays
  • Always dress appropriately for the season, including wearing hats, sunglasses, or layers
  • Drink water and take frequent breaks in high temperatures

5. Customer complaints

Complaints are a carpentry business risk that many carpenters only think about when they happen. A bad review (either online or through word of mouth) could mean lost clients, missed opportunities, and slower business growth.

Good customer service can go a long way toward preventing complaints and negative reviews. Keeping clients up to date on how their project is going, being considerate of their time, and leaving their property clean and tidy are all appreciated. Steps like these may not seem like much, but they can help build goodwill and make it easier to manage serious issues if they arise.

Nailing risk prevention

Carpentry business risks may be a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean they have to slow you down. Taking steps to help avoid risk and prevent carpenter liability exposures could help your business thrive. And if they do happen, carpenter insurance can help remove some of the burden and expense of setting things right.

BizInsure makes finding carpenter insurance fast and simple. Start your free quote now and compare policies from A-rated insurers online in minutes.

*As with any insurance, coverage will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. The information contained on this web page is general only and should not be relied upon as advice.
The number of quotes provided varies between products, occupations and other underwriting factors determined by the insurers.
© Copyright 2022 BizInsure LLC, 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BizInsure LLC; CA DBA: Simple, Smart, BizInsure Insurance Agency LLC; NY DBA: BizInsure Services LLC; NH DBA: Simple, Smart, BizInsure Insurance Agency; PA DBA: BizInsure Services LLC. 2950 Buskirk Ave Suite 300, Walnut Creek CA 94597. License #0H81929

Let's find

The coverage you need for your business

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Let's find

The coverage you need for your business

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Quick and professional service
Great quote for Professional and Liability!
Signing up was easy.
You guy are wonderful, very professional and honest. It was a very smooth process. very affordable. thank you. Calves Blake
Great value, customer service, and ease of communication.
Loved working with Bizinsure! Andrea was fantastic and made the process so easy!
BIZNSURE LLC, is outstanding the process was easy and quick. I was walked through step by step
Very easy to work with, cost effective, prompt renewal and easy to get certificates of insurance instantly. I use them exclusively for my professional and general liability insurance needs as a consultant. They simply make my insurance be easy!
BizInsure's online quote and process was quick, easy, and affordable. Jennifer, one of the representatives from BizInsure was great. She was very professional, attentive, and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this company to small businesses.
Very easy..straight forward..quick
BizInsure LLC made it easy to find coverage for my business. Highly recommend them for responsive service and quality insurance products.
Always Great with the updates and always get things done in a timely manner
Great use of my time. As a business owner I love not wasting time. Thank you so much for giving me more time. Even when I call in the time on hold is short and the rep is an American Professional.
Easy to use, Great customers service.
Thank you for allowing me to renew my policy without any hassle. I truly appreciate the updated phone calls. Have a wonderful blessed year.
Amy was very professional, she made sure that I understood my policy. I am very satisfied with the service.
Very professional, easy to use
They were very helpful on getting me insurance for my new business.
My 5th business policy and it’s always a smooth transition. Thank you again.
A real person answers the phone and was efficient and professionally friendly.
They took care of my request on the first call
Jennifer was exceptional. Responded promptly to all my questions, helped me research the options (I had a number of questions), made sure that I had all the info I needed to make a decision and overall made the whole process very transparent and easy.
The agents were helpful and very easy to work with. As a new policy holder I needed a little "hand holding" and they did it with kindness and ease.
Great experience. The representative was very helpful and worked hard to get me the right policy.
fast and easy online service
Amy R. Was personable, professional, knowledgeable, encouraged questions, made certain I understood explanations before moving on to the next. A great ambassador for your company!! Thank you.
Easy, correct coverage, value add on policy, easy financing
Google Rating
4.7
Based on 454 reviews





    This will close in 0 seconds