From row crops to ranches, your operation deserves coverage as hardworking as you are. With over 50 years of experience and access to 60+ trusted insurance carriers, Pepper, Johnstone & Company offers customized coverage that evolves with your residential construction business—from blueprint to final walkthrough.
Insurance for Residential General Contractors
from Pepper, Johnstone & Company
Every home you build is someone’s dream. But for general contractors, even dream homes come with risk. From worker injuries to equipment damage and subcontractor liability, every jobsite carries exposures that can derail your timeline—or your business.
Don’t settle for coverage that doesn’t do it all.
At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, we build comprehensive insurance plans for residential contractors. Whether you’re constructing new homes, overseeing remodels, or managing large crews across multiple sites, our coverage is tailored to protect your business, your reputation, and your future.
Get a free quote for residential construction insurance
Homebuilding may look different from commercial construction, but the risks are just as real. You’re responsible for site safety, subcontractor oversight, and project execution—all while working in neighborhoods with narrow access points, curious children, and strict HOA rules.
Homeowners expect perfection. Insurance gives you a safety net when the unexpected has other ideas.
While many residential clients or lenders will ask for proof of general liability, that’s only the beginning. A layered insurance plan protects your operations, satisfies legal and contractual obligations, and helps you stay on track—no matter the challenge.
Core Insurance Policies for Residential Builders
Every general contractor business needs a strong foundation. Your insurance plan may include:
General Liability Insurance for Contractors
Protects against third-party injury, advertising injuries, property damage, and legal fees resulting from your work or the actions of your subcontractors.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ comp covers employee medical expenses and lost wages for on-the-job injuries. Required in most states—even for part-time or seasonal workers.
Commercial Property Insurance
Covers damage to offices, workshops, tools, and other business property you own.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Adds extra liability protection above and beyond your standard policy limits.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Protects your work trucks, trailers, and vans from liability claims, collision damage, and theft.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Covers your business if an employee sues for harassment, discrimination, or wrongful termination.
Fiduciary Liability Insurance
Protects your business from claims related to mismanagement of employee benefits, such as retirement plans, health benefits, or pensions.
Crime Insurance
Covers losses due to theft, forgery, or other dishonest acts by employees or third parties.
Additional Protections for Residential Projects
Some risks are unique to the residential sector—especially when working in active neighborhoods. Add these optional coverages for broader protection:
Builders’ Risk Insurance
Covers homes under construction, as well as materials and equipment stored on-site, against damage or loss from weather, fire, vandalism, and more.
Inland Marine Insurance
Protects tools, trailers, and mobile equipment as they move between job sites.
Surety Bonds
Guarantees your performance and payment obligations—often required for renovation work or publicly funded housing projects.
Protecting More Than Just the Homesite
Your reputation is everything. Our residential contractor insurance also helps protect against:
- Subcontractor issues that lead to delays or litigation
- Disputes with homeowners over finished work
- Cybersecurity threats from digital contracts and design files
- Employee injuries or illnesses that could result in costly claims
At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, we proactively assess your risks and adjust your policy to match the realities of your day-to-day work.
Why Choose Pepper, Johnstone & Company
You don’t build cookie-cutter homes—so why settle for cookie-cutter coverage? As an independent insurance agency, Pepper, Johnstone & Company partners with top carriers to offer flexible, affordable solutions for residential contractors across the country.
We take a consultative approach, analyzing your business operations and recommending policies that fit your goals, meet your obligations, and support your growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Residential Contractor Insurance
What homebuilders need to know
At a minimum, most residential contractors need general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, and builders’ risk insurance. Depending on your business structure, you may also want umbrella, crime, and inland marine coverage to protect tools, trailers, and equipment in transit.
Pepper, Johnstone & Company can help any contracting business build a policy that fits your scope and budget.
Not usually. Subcontractors should carry their own liability insurance. You should always request a certificate of insurance and confirm that you're listed as an additional insured. If a subcontractor doesn’t have proper coverage and something goes wrong, the liability could fall on you.
Cost varies based on the size of your business, project type, coverage limits, and location. Factors like your number of employees and the nature of your construction site operations also affect premiums. A solo remodeler may pay significantly less than a firm building multi-home subdivisions.
The best way to get accurate pricing is to request a quote from an agency like Pepper, Johnstone & Company that works with multiple insurance companies.
Yes. Even minor renovations can involve costly materials and vulnerable worksites. Builders’ risk insurance covers damage from fire, theft, vandalism, and certain weather events during the construction period.
If your tools are covered under an inland marine policy, you may be reimbursed for the loss. Standard commercial property insurance typically doesn’t cover mobile tools unless they’re stored at a listed location.
Yes. If your work causes damage to an adjacent home—say, a tree falls during excavation or water leaks into a basement—general liability insurance can cover the cost of repairs and any legal action that follows.
What do people think about us?
We’re trusted by homebuilders who shape their communities.
on Google
I started a company in January 2019 & the team at Pepper Johnstone helped me from the beginning. We serve mid-cap to large public companies in Alabama, Colorado and Texas. And, Bryan has been critical in helping us meet and maintain the required commercial insurance policies and coverage levels. Key reasons that I've been so pleased primarily include their high level of technical competence and timely responsiveness on new or changing insurance coverage requests. They do a great job & I can highly recommend them.
— Russ L.
on Google
We are very pleased with our services that Pepper, Johnstone and Company provide for us! Both with business and personal needs, we feel like we are receiving excellent resources. We truly would not trust anyone else for our insurance needs!
— Lauren M.
on Google
Thankful for the opportunity to work with Pepper, Johnston’s and Co. They helped us add basic insurance needs for our newly formed LLC. The responsiveness, willingness to answer numerous questions, and guide us through multiple options was greatly appreciated. I’d like to especially thank Meredith Baswell of their staff who helped us through the process. I’d recommend you seek their advice and input on commercial and personal insurance options.
— Kevin G.
on Google
This is the best insurance agency hands down. We have our home, car, and business insurance through them. Julie has always gone above and beyond to help us. We wouldn’t use anyone else.
— Laura D.
on Google
Pepper Johnstone has handled my personal and business insurance needs for years. They do good work and their staff is amazing! They are independent agents so they have access to several different lines of insurance to meet the needs of their clients. I highly recommend them.
— Jeremiah H.
on Google
Pepper, Johnstone is a very professional and responsive insurance company. They were able to assist me with a full suite insurance solution very promptly and at a great value. Most importantly, I felt completely comfortable that I was being handled by true professionals. Bryan Johnstone is great at his job and I would recommend him highly to anyone who needs insurance advice for themselves or their business.
— Troy R.
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Let’s Build Something Stronger
The homes you build deserve protection as strong as the structures themselves. Call Pepper, Johnstone & Company at 866-865-3499 or request a quote online to speak with an advisor who understands your business—and how to protect it.