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Foundation Layers Insurance Policy Information

Foundation Layers Insurance. A foundation is one of the most critical components of any type of structure. It's the very surface that every other element of a building lies on; the floor, the walls, and the roof. Without a foundation, a building would be structurally unsound. Needless to say, as a foundation layer, the work that you do exceedingly important.

Foundation layers dig into the ground to clear and level the ground on which a solid base will be erected for buildings or structures. Before the digging, the soil and rock are analyzed so the foundation will support the weight of the structure. The foundation can be shallow or deep and be made of block, brick, stone, or treated wood, or by pouring wet concrete into wooden or metal forms. The contractor may also do repair work such as underpinning.

Repair only contractors are sometimes referred to as basement contractors. A foundation may simply consist of a poured concrete slab without a basement. A foundation may extend several feet above ground over a crawl space and consist of walls or piles (columns) below grade (ground level) resting on footings, with the space between the walls filled with earth. The most elaborate foundation includes one or more basements, including footings, walls, and perhaps interior supports, with a finished floor or an unfinished floor made of packed dirt.

Like any business owner, there are a number of risks that are associated with operating a company that specializes in laying foundation. Members of your staff can sustain injuries, clients' property can be damaged, your property could be damaged, and any other number of incidents can arise. When they do, you'll be thankful that you have the right type of foundation layers insurance coverage.

Foundation layers insurance protects your contracting business from lawsuits with rates as low as $87/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked foundation layers insurance questions:

• What Is Foundation Layers Insurance?
• How Much Does Foundation Layers Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Foundation Layers Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Foundation Layers Need??
• What Does Foundation Layers Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Foundation Layer's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is low at the contractor's premises since visitor access is limited, but equipment stored in the open may present an attractive nuisance to children. At job sites, the operation of heavy machinery and asphalt plants presents numerous hazards, especially if the contractor exercises inadequate control of the area.

The public and employees of other contractors can be injured due to trips and falls over debris, equipment, or uneven ground. Once a hole is excavated, there must be shoring or other supports to prevent collapse if people are to work in the hole. Digging can result in cutting utility cable, damaging property of the utility company and disrupting service to neighboring residences or businesses. A significant morale hazard may be indicated by the absence of detailed procedures to determine utility locations and to research prior uses of the land. The weight of large mixers and mix-in-transit vehicles can cause serious injury or property damage.

Hazards increase significantly in the absence of jobsite control, including spotters, signage, and barriers where appropriate. After hours, wet cement attracts children and vandals. At the job site, the contractor is responsible for the safety aspects of the entire project even after hours when there is no construction activity as construction sites create an attractive nuisance hazard, especially if work is close to residential areas.

All equipment must be disabled when not in operation to prevent untrained individuals from using it. Safety barriers such as perimeter fencing may be needed if the excavation work is complete but other construction has not yet started. Excavating in an area of existing structures requires extra vigilance to prevent foundation and structural damage to nearby buildings.

Completed operations liability exposures can be very high due to the potential for bodily injury and property damage that can occur from collapse due to improper installation and curing. Concrete may crack, rapidly deteriorate, or otherwise fail. The mixture of the cement and concrete and the materials used to harden and cure must meet all specifications. Quality control and full compliance with all construction, material, and design specifications is necessary, as is documentation of customer specifications, work orders, change orders, and inspection and written acceptance by the customer.

Environmental impairment liability exposures may arise from the waste generated in the fueling and cleaning of heavy equipment. Spills must be controlled and equipment monitored at all times. Allowing waste to accumulate either at the job site or in the contractor's yard could cause a severe environmental impairment situation. The insured must use safe methods to collect, transport, and dispose of the waste. Operations can result in claims of noise or dust pollution by neighboring properties and claims for cumulative structural damage to neighboring foundations from heavy traffic.

Workers compensation exposures can be very high. Lifting and back injuries, hernias, sprains, strains and crush injuries may arise from the clearing and excavation of the site, to the laying of the bricks, stone, blocks, or forms, to pouring of concrete, to the drying or curing and completion of the final project. Collapse of retaining walls, mudslides or landslides, sinkholes, or overturn of equipment may result in severe injury or death from crushing or suffocation.

Digging and grading of land may result in injury from underground electrical cable or gas lines. Common hazards include slips and falls, being struck by falling objects, and foreign objects in the eye, hearing impairment from noise, cuts, or puncture wounds, and bites from insects or vermin. As operations are often conducted in remote areas, it may be difficult to transport an injured worker to a medical facility to receive prompt treatment. Fine sand from the concrete mixture may cause eye injuries or even lung disease such as silicosis.

Pouring concrete from a mixer usually involves operations on top of the vehicle; the absence of proper guarding may significantly increase the exposure to loss. The absence of good maintenance, proper use of basic safety equipment, such as properly installed guards, steel-toed shoes, and eye protection, and strict enforcement of safety practices may indicate a morale hazard.

Property exposures at the contractor's own location are generally limited to an office and storage of material, equipment, and vehicles. The contractor's yard may store large mixing or batch plants to combine the ingredients for mixing cement or concrete and for loading them into trucks. If repair work on vehicles and equipment is done in the building, fire hazards may be high. If equipment and supplies are stored in the yard, they may be damaged by wind, vandalism, and theft. Adequate fencing and lighting should be in place to deter trespassers.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted prior to hiring any employee. All ordering, billing and disbursements must be handled as separate job duties and regularly audited. Physical inventories should be conducted on a regular basis to prevent employee theft of equipment.

Inland marine exposure is from accounts receivable if the contractor bills customers for services, contractors' equipment, construction materials in transit, installation floater, and valuable papers and records for customers' and vendors' information as well as custom project plans. Construction equipment and concrete mixed in transit are heavy and difficult to transport. The training of drivers and haulers, especially with respect to loading, tie-down, and unloading, is important to avoid damage to bulky equipment due to overturn or collision.

At the job site, hazards come from uneven terrain, from the abrasive or caustic nature of some of the materials, or from the sheer weight of the concrete as it may exceed the equipment's load capacity. Tools and equipment may strike underground objects or utility lines, fall into holes or pits, slip or fall into mud, water, or sinkholes, be damaged by rock, land, or mud slides, or burst into fire due to overload. They may be damaged by changes in the weather, water hazards, drops, or falls from heights, or being struck by other vehicles. The concrete forms lack identifying marks and must often be left overnight or longer at a site, increasing the exposure to vandalism and theft.

Materials and equipment left at job sites may be stolen or vandalized. Equipment should be secured and rendered inoperable when not in use. If the insured does guniting of foundation piles, the pressurized application should be well controlled. (Gunite is a protective cement and coating sprayed over wire mesh onto piles.) Copies of all records should be kept at an offsite location for easier restoration.

Commercial auto exposures can be very high. Since mix-in-transit units are among the heaviest on the road, they can cause severe bodily injury or property damage even in apparently minor collisions. These units are awkward to handle while driving or in operation, and are difficult to tow if they overturn or become stuck in mud. Roads in rural areas may be narrow and the ground uneven, increasing the risk of collision and upset.

The driver of the truck must be trained in handling a top-heavy vehicle as considerable skill and knowledge is required for safe driving. If there is a collision, the resulting overturn may spill the load spill onto a public road and preventing access until clean up is completed. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained and the records kept in a central location.

What Does Foundation Layers Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Foundation layers are used in construction to provide a stable base for a building. They are typically made of concrete or other durable materials and are placed underground to support the weight of the structure above. There are several reasons why foundation layers are necessary in construction, including:

Soil instability: The ground on which a building is constructed may not be stable enough to support the weight of the building without a foundation. A foundation layer helps distribute the weight of the building evenly across the soil.

Water damage: Water can seep into the ground and erode the soil, causing the foundation of a building to shift or sink. A foundation layer can help protect against water damage by providing a barrier between the building and the soil.

Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods can put stress on a building's foundation. A foundation layer can help absorb some of this stress and prevent damage to the building.

Insurance can help protect foundation layers by providing coverage for damages or losses that occur due to unforeseen events such as natural disasters or accidents. For example:

In the event of an earthquake, if the foundation layer of a building is damaged, insurance can cover the cost of repairing or replacing the foundation.

If water damage occurs due to a flood, insurance can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing the foundation.

If a construction worker is injured while installing a foundation layer, insurance can cover their medical expenses and any resulting legal fees.

Overall, insurance can help protect foundation layers by providing financial support in the event of unforeseen events or accidents. It is important for construction companies and property owners to ensure they have adequate insurance coverage to protect their investment and assets.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 1741 Masonry, Stone Setting and Other Stone Work, 1771 Concrete Work
• NAICS CODE: 238110 Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors, 238140 Masonry Contractors
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 5213 Dam or Lock Construction - Concrete Work - All Operations, 5022 Masonry NOC

Description for 1741: Masonry, Stone Setting, and Other Stone Work

Division C: Construction | Major Group 17: Construction Special Trade Contractors | Industry Group 174: Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting, And Plastering | 1741 Masonry, Stone Setting, and Other Stone Work

1741 Masonry, Stone Setting, and Other Stone Work: Special trade contractors primarily engaged in masonry work, stone setting, and other stone work. Special trade contractors primarily engaged in concrete work are classified in Industry 1771; those engaged in digging foundations are classified in Industry 1794; and those engaged in the construction of streets, highways, and alleys are classified in Industry 1611.

• Bricklaying-contractors
• Chimney construction and maintenance-contractors
• Concrete block laying-contractors
• Foundations, building of: block, stone, or brick-contractors
• Marble work, exterior construction-contractors
• Masonry-contractors
• Refactory brick construction-contractors
• Retaining wall construction: block, stone, or brick-contractors
• Stone setting-contractors
• Stonework erection-contractors
• Tuck pointing-contractors

Description for 1771: Concrete Work

Division C: Construction | Major Group 17: Construction Special Trade Contractors | Industry Group 177: Concrete Work

1771 Concrete Work: Special trade contractors primarily engaged in concrete work, including portland cement and asphalt. This industry includes the construction of private driveways and walks of all materials. Concrete work incidental to the construction of foundations and concrete work included in an excavation contract are classified in Industry 1794; and those engaged in construction or paving of streets, highways, and public sidewalks are classified in Industry 1611.

• Asphalting of private driveways and private parking areas-contractors
• Blacktop work: private driveways and private parking
• Concrete finishers-contractors
• Concrete work: private driveways, sidewalks, and parking areas
• Culvert construction-contractors
• Curb construction-contractors
• Foundations, building of: poured concrete-contractors
• Grouting work-contractors
• Gunite work-contractors
• Parking lot construction-contractors
• Patio construction, concrete-contractors
• Sidewalk construction, except public-contractors
• Stucco construction-contractors

Foundation Layers Insurance - The Bottom Line

To find out more about foundation layers insurance, how much coverage you should carry, and how much this type of policy will cost, consult with a broker that specializes in contractors insurance.

Additional Resources For Construction Contractors Insurance

Learn about construction contractors insurance, including how much the premium costs and what is covered - and how business insurance can help protect your construction business from lawsuits.

• Blasting & Drilling Contractors
• Bridge Contractors
• Building Contractors
• Cable Layers
• Concrete
• Construction
• Demolition Contractors
• Dock & Pier Contractors
• Dredging Contractors
• Excavation
• Foundation Layers
• Framing
• General Contractors
• Masonry
• Mechanical
• Millwright
• Paving
• Road Contractors
• Roofing
• Sewer Contractors
• Steel Erection Contractors
• Surety Bonds

The construction industry is a high-risk industry that requires business insurance to protect against potential losses. There are several reasons why the construction industry needs business insurance:

Liability risks: Construction projects often involve working on other people's property, which can lead to potential liability risks if any damages or accidents occur. Liability insurance helps to protect against these risks by providing coverage for any legal fees or damages that may arise.

Property damage: Construction projects can also be at risk for property damage, whether it's the company's own equipment or tools, or the property being worked on. Commercial property insurance including inland marine helps to cover the cost of repairs or replacement of any damaged property.

Worker injuries: Construction is a physically demanding industry, and accidents and injuries are a common occurrence. Wrokers comp helps to cover the cost of medical treatment and lost wages for injured workers.

Financial losses: Construction projects can be disrupted by a variety of factors, such as weather, delays, or changes in scope. Business insurance helps to protect against financial losses that may occur as a result of these disruptions.

Overall, insurance is an essential component of the construction industry as it helps to protect against a range of potential risks and losses. Without it, companies in the construction industry would be vulnerable to financial ruin and may not be able to continue operating.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Surety Bonds, Accounts Receivable, Builders' Risk, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Nonowned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Contractors' Equipment, Goods in Transit, Installation Floater, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Environmental Impairment Liability, Stop Gap Liability, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones).