Is Your Pressure Washer Insured?
One of the biggest differences between a true professional pressure wash roof cleaning company and a fly-by-night operation is the ability to handle the liabilities of the risks it assumes. While most accidents and incidents are due to inexperienced technicians or negligence, sometimes things do go wrong and this could leave you with hefty repair bills or a lawsuit if a worker is injured on your property.
When it comes to a pressure wash roof cleaning business your contractor must have:
Liability Insurance – Similar to the liability insurance you must have to drive a vehicle, this insurance will cover you if something goes wrong on a job. A professional contractor should carry a liability policy of $1 million to $2 million dollars.
Workers Comp – If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property you are responsible. Any pressure wash roof cleaner working on your roof must carry workers to cover any potential medical expenses and lost wages for inability to work during recovery. Hiring an uninsured pressure wash roof cleaner could turn a simple bill into tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure any pressure wash roof cleaning business working on your roof has their employees covered under workers comp code 5551. Power washing companies are covered under workers comp code 9014 which is 1/5 the cost of code 5551 however it’s a must when working on a roof.
Tips for avoiding contractor fraud
- Be wary of any contractor who drives an unmarked or poorly marked vehicle.
- Contractors should have a land line phone and a permanent address — not a post office box.
- If a contractor says the job doesn’t require insurance or licenses, stay away from him. Without a license, municipalities can’t track a contractor down if a problem arises.
- Contractor should have Worker’s Comp Code 5551 which allows working on a roof.
- Contractors should have general liability insurance. $1 – $2 million is reasonable.
- Contractors should provide references if asked to provide them.
- Always have a contract. The document should be well-detailed and spell out any warranties.
- Check contractor reputations. Contact the Better Business Bureau and reviews on websites like Google , Yelp, Yahoo, the Yellow Pages, Angie’s List, etc.
- Check the status of a pressure wash roof cleaning business license in Florida by visiting the Contractors State License Board.