Subcontractor Compliance Checklist for General Contractors

The complete checklist for onboarding subcontractors. Covers insurance, COIs, licensing, safety, and documentation requirements every GC needs to verify before work begins.

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Why This Checklist Matters

A single uninsured subcontractor on your jobsite can expose you to $100K+ in liability. 67% of construction claims involve subcontractor insurance gaps that could have been caught during onboarding. This checklist is your first line of defense.

Insurance & COIs

General Liability insurance (minimum $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate)
Workers Compensation insurance (state-required limits)
Auto Liability insurance ($1M combined single limit)
Umbrella/Excess Liability ($2M+ for high-risk trades)
Your company listed as Additional Insured on all GL policies
Certificate Holder information matches your company exactly
Policy effective dates cover entire project duration
Waiver of Subrogation endorsement on all policies

Licensing & Certifications

Valid state contractor license for trade being performed
City/county business license current
Trade-specific certifications (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 for all supervisors/foremen
EPA Lead-Safe certification (for pre-1978 renovation work)
Asbestos awareness training (where applicable)

Tax & Legal Documents

Signed subcontract agreement
W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number)
Signed lien waiver template acknowledgment
Verified not on SAM.gov exclusion list (federal projects)
E-Verify enrollment confirmation (if required by owner/state)

Safety & Training

Company safety program/manual on file
EMR (Experience Modification Rate) below 1.0
Site-specific safety orientation completed
Drug-free workplace policy acknowledgment
Toolbox talk/safety meeting schedule confirmed

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Related Resources

General Contractor Compliance ChecklistSubcontractor Insurance VerificationConstruction Insurance RequirementsVendor Compliance