What is a WorkSafeBC clearance letter and why does it matter?

It's a letter from WorkSafeBC, addressed to you, confirming a contractor is registered and paying premiums. If you don't get one and your sub doesn't pay, you can be held liable for what they owe for the period they worked for you.

Do I need a BC Housing licence to do renovations?

Not for most renovations. A BC Housing residential builder licence and home warranty insurance are required for building new homes and for certain building envelope renovations. Check with BC Housing if your project is borderline.

What is a wrap-up policy?

A wrap-up is a single liability policy that covers the owner, the general contractor, and every subcontractor on one project. It's common on larger BC multi-unit builds. Your own policy still covers your other work.

British Columbia trade insurance

Insurance for General Contractors in British Columbia

Liability, course-of-construction, and wrap-up coverage for BC general contractors. Licensed BC brokers compete for your account.

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General Contractors in British Columbia illustration

Commercial Liability & Risk Guide for General Contractors in British Columbia

General contractors in British Columbia carry the risk of every trade on their site. If a sub stops paying WorkSafeBC and you didn't get a clearance letter, their unpaid premiums can land on you. New homes add another layer, because builders need a BC Housing licence and 2-5-10 home warranty insurance before construction starts. Multi-unit projects often run under a project-specific wrap-up policy, while smaller jobs rely on your own liability and course-of-construction coverage. QuoteMatch sends one application to several licensed BC brokers so you can compare how each would build your program.

Risks specific to British Columbia

Working in British Columbia brings its own climate, market, and regulatory risks:

Liability for subcontractors' unpaid WorkSafeBC premiums when clearance letters are missed.
Water and wind losses on open structures during BC's wet season.
Theft of materials and tools from Lower Mainland job sites.
Completed-operations claims on building envelope and water ingress, a long-running BC issue.

Rules and requirements to know

Insurers and clients in British Columbia will expect you to meet these:

BC Housing residential builder licensing and 2-5-10 home warranty insurance for new homes.
WorkSafeBC prime contractor duties and clearance letters for every contractor you pay.
BC Builders Lien Act holdback rules on your contracts and your subs' contracts.

Example claim

How a claim could happen

“A Surrey general contractor hires a framing sub who lets their WorkSafeBC account lapse. A framer is injured, and WorkSafeBC looks to the general contractor because no clearance letter was on file.”

How coverage respondsThe contractor pays the assessed premiums. Separately, their liability policy defends a related third-party claim, which is why brokers ask about clearance letters at renewal.

Official resources

General Contractors in other provinces

Common questions: General Contractors in British Columbia

What is a WorkSafeBC clearance letter and why does it matter?: It's a letter from WorkSafeBC, addressed to you, confirming a contractor is registered and paying premiums. If you don't get one and your sub doesn't pay, you can be held liable for what they owe for the period they worked for you.
Do I need a BC Housing licence to do renovations?: Not for most renovations. A BC Housing residential builder licence and home warranty insurance are required for building new homes and for certain building envelope renovations. Check with BC Housing if your project is borderline.
What is a wrap-up policy?: A wrap-up is a single liability policy that covers the owner, the general contractor, and every subcontractor on one project. It's common on larger BC multi-unit builds. Your own policy still covers your other work.