Drywall Contractor Insurance in Washington State

Drywall contracting may appear straightforward compared to structural trades, but it carries a distinct set of risks that catch many contractors off guard. Washington drywall installers handle heavy sheets of gypsum board daily, work on stilts at ceiling height, generate significant airborne dust, and are responsible for fire-rated assemblies that must perform correctly in an emergency. Each of these activities creates liability that demands proper insurance coverage.

Stilts injuries are among the most common and serious hazards in the drywall trade. Finishers routinely work on drywall stilts at heights of two to four feet above the floor, and a fall from stilts onto a concrete subfloor can cause broken bones, head injuries, and back damage.Washington's L&I system covers these injuries, but the frequency of stilts-related claims drives up classification rates for drywall contractors.

Dust and silica exposure represents a growing liability concern. Sanding joint compound and cutting drywall generates fine particulate matter, and some older compounds contain crystalline silica, which is regulated under OSHA's silica standard (29 CFR 1926.1153). Long-term exposure can cause silicosis, a debilitating and irreversible lung disease. Workers who develop respiratory conditions years after exposure may file claims that reach back to prior employers. Washington's industrial insurance system provides coverage, but claims drive up your experience modification factor and premiums for years.

Fire-rated assembly failures create a particularly insidious completed operations risk. When you install Type X drywall in a fire-rated wall or ceiling assembly, that assembly must meet specific building code requirements. If a fire occurs and the assembly fails because of improper installation — wrong screw spacing, missing layers, incorrect tape and mud application — the resulting liability can be catastrophic. Building inspectors may miss these defects during construction, but a fire investigation will find them. Washington's six-year construction defect window means this exposure lingers long after you leave the job site.

Joint compound allergies and chemical sensitivities add another dimension of risk. Some occupants develop reactions to compounds used in finishing, leading to property damage claims for remediation or personal injury claims. These claims are relatively infrequent but can be costly when they arise, particularly in commercial or institutional settings.