Workers Compensation - Page 2 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

MetalBender · 02-11-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shark49

So now I thought I was doing everything correct and to the law but I am being audited next week and all of the money I paid to uninsured subs will be used to determine what I will have to pay in backcharges to the insurance company. Depending upon the work performed it can be as high as $22 per $100 I've paid out.

Messed up huh.

9.2% in Iowa. It's just easier to carry WC for me than to not. I'm a sub most of the time, and provide certificate of insurance for each job to GC's and HO's so that they know and I KNOW that I am covered, and so are they. Also it let's everyone know that we are interested in everyones best interest. We have even been requested to have background checks to work on some jobs. Did it, didn't like it. Oh well, turned into several air force and officers jobs.

kycontractor · 02-12-2009, 01:40 AM

Might be lighting a fire here, but I'm interested in seeing what you guys think....

I'm getting killed by these uninsured guys under bidding me, so how do you feel about reporting them to the state WC board? Bad or Good??

Forry · 02-12-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shark49

What you do Forry is have a safety plan on file and even write up a one page sheet for an employee to sign saying he read the safety plan. Of course you make him/her read it. This will make you less culpable if you can prove it as a negligent act of the employee and not you. Do weekly toolbox safety meetings too and keep records of that.

Ya, so I hear, but what exactly does a safety plan look like?

So I list safety procedure, ie use the table saw guard (assuming I can find it), don't lock back the guard on your skil, etc? Sounds like a joke, but if it works, hey.

MetalBender · 02-12-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kycontractor

Might be lighting a fire here, but I'm interested in seeing what you guys think....

I'm getting killed by these uninsured guys under bidding me, so how do you feel about reporting them to the state WC board? Bad or Good??

Never done it to anyone, but I have had it done to me, I was all legal though. It was by the local judge, he does it to anyone that gets a job he wanted. He has also had 16 year olds on roofs.

Currently there is a 3 car garage going up across from me WITH NO FOOTINGS or FOUNDATION, just a 3 1/2" slab. No building codes here in Page County, wonder why I never get any work here.

RCPainting · 02-12-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forry

Ya, so I hear, but what exactly does a safety plan look like?

So I list safety procedure, ie use the table saw guard (assuming I can find it), don't lock back the guard on your skil, etc? Sounds like a joke, but if it works, hey.

I use some forms from here to start.
http://www.toolboxtopics.com/Construction/index.htm

TxElectrician · 02-12-2009, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the link RC.

all vinyl · 02-14-2009, 06:04 PM

So now I thought I was doing everything correct and to the law but I am being audited next week and all of the money I paid to uninsured subs will be used to determine what I will have to pay in backcharges to the insurance company. Depending upon the work performed it can be as high as $22 per $100 I've paid out.

Messed up huh.[/quote]
i went through that three years ago I thought the insurance was valid but it wasn't had a crew working 8 months siding.good luck it will work out.

Forry · 02-14-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCPainting

I use some forms from here to start.
http://www.toolboxtopics.com/Construction/index.htm

Awesome, cheeseball stuff, but perfect.

Bill Z · 02-14-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forry

Ya, so I hear, but what exactly does a safety plan look like?

So I list safety procedure, ie use the table saw guard (assuming I can find it), don't lock back the guard on your skil, etc? Sounds like a joke, but if it works, hey.

Hey Forry,

You can check with your insurance agent about 2 things. First, see about getting coverage for yourself as a manager or salesman. The rates are a fraction of an installer. You may need to limit your time working as a laborer on the jobs

to get the low rate.

Second, most large insurance carriers provide safety audits and some safety training at no charge. It helps cut claims and keeps you in compliance.

Worth asking your agent.

Good Luck.

Forry · 02-14-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Z

Hey Forry,

You can check with your insurance agent about 2 things. First, see about getting coverage for yourself as a manager or salesman. The rates are a fraction of an installer. You may need to limit your time working as a laborer on the jobs

to get the low rate.

Second, most large insurance carriers provide safety audits and some safety training at no charge. It helps cut claims and keeps you in compliance.

Worth asking your agent.

Good Luck.

Hmmm, good thinking, and I've had that thought too. I've got a bit of a block I'll have to get over re. authority and keeping quiet (took me a while to get excited about permits and such). Mostly over all that, but I still shy away from being the squeaky wheel around authority.

RCPainting · 02-14-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forry

Awesome, cheeseball stuff, but perfect.

Yeah, they are. I just used as a guide. Nice to have signed and filed.
Here is another link https://www.wcfgroup.com/wcfWebsite/...et=topicGuides

I also get a discount for belonging to the local HBA.

danphelan · 04-01-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kycontractor

Might be lighting a fire here, but I'm interested in seeing what you guys think....

I'm getting killed by these uninsured guys under bidding me, so how do you feel about reporting them to the state WC board? Bad or Good??

From the sounds of things, you are losing work because your competitors, in their cheapness, are breaking the law by not carrying work comp insurance. Simple solution to this, without taking it to court, is to ask the HO when they are taking the bids whether they want to save a few hundred on giving the work to an uninsured contractor, or whether they want to pay the claim out of their homeowners, when one of these workers falls off their roof. There isn't a magical fund that pays these injuries. The homeowner will be paying them, and not enough of them know this when they choose to use uninsured contractors to repair their homes on the cheap.

Kallie · 04-01-2009, 01:17 PM

I am looking for a descent price for workman's comp and liability Insurance in Iowa for Flat roofing. Does anyone have any ideas. 50,000.00 a year sounds a bit high.

Ms. Fix-It · 05-25-2009, 02:54 PM

WC is 30 cents on the dollar to start in Florida. It drives overhead through the roof, and puts many of us out of business. The laws are strict and precise regarding what constitutes a subcontractor versus an employee. It makes starting a business very expensive and difficult.

On another note, to be legal here with subcontractors, you have to carry a copy of their WC or WC exemption with you to every job on which they work, and present it on request as you would present your own. As a result, I have taken a hard line on this issue, and I require a copy of their WC status before they can work for me.

Aoscar · 08-28-2009, 03:08 AM

who needs comp, you're fired before you hit the ground.

SC sawdaddy · 08-31-2009, 09:48 PM

Got a W/C audit tomorrow

No claims filed, got all the necessary receipts and waivers, don't know why I'm so nervous.

**Double-A** · 08-31-2009, 11:49 PM

Once you understand what WC auditors are looking for and why, you start to appreciate ow simple a WC audit is, and how easily they can be handled if your bookkeeping is up to date and easy to use.

Don't worry about it. You'll do fine. Just two pieces of advice. Answer their questions honestly and don't answer any questions they don't ask.

WC is the devil and in this business we have to dance with the devil. In order to do that, we have to pay the piper.

For those of you that are competing with folks that don't have WC and you're sure about that, then find the organization in your state that enforces and turn em in. There is nothing wrong with a level playing field. If they want to play, they need to play by the rules, otherwise, they are wearing someone else's jock strap.

JumboJack · 08-31-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double-A

Answer their questions honestly and don't answer any questions they don't ask.

.

Good advice for W/C audits and women.

JumboJack · 09-01-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double-A

Answer their questions honestly and don't answer any questions they don't ask.

.

.......

SC sawdaddy · 09-01-2009, 01:28 PM

The guy called 2hrs. late and said he wasn't going to be able to come to the office today but if I had everything ready, we could handle it over the phone

Went pretty smooth though other than the hassle of having to shuffle papers around and read him my numbers while on speaker phone.
Good thing I'm an honest businessman