Projects built with wood pose an increased risk, and it is becoming increasingly important in today’s insurance market that contractors understand the landscape and what they can do to temper the ever-increasing cost. Wood frame construction has become increasingly popular due to its cost-effectiveness and versatility. However, it also presents inherent, amplified risks that contractors must carefully address.
On the surface, wood frame construction comes with these risks, many of which contractors are already familiar with:
- Fire Risk: The flammability of wood, in comparison to steel and concrete, heightens fire risks, translating to challenges in underwriting wood frame projects.
- Water Risk: Residential wood frame projects, with their extensive plumbing, can suffer multi-level damage due to water. Water-damaged wood is prone to warping, rot, mold and pest infestations.
- Structural Integrity: Wood’s vulnerability to fire, water, pests and natural elements can jeopardize the structural integrity of the building during and post-construction.
- Variety of Construction Techniques: Diverse methods in wood frame construction can lead to varied quality and workmanship levels.
Adding to these risk factors is the ever-increasing volatility that currently underpins the insurance landscape. Natural disasters, including wildfires, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes are increasing, and the areas where these events occur are broadening. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. has experienced an average of eight billion-dollar disasters annually over the past four decades, but this average has jumped to nearly 18 events annually over the past five years. Because of the unmistakable increase in the frequency and overall cost of such catastrophes, insurance carriers have started to withdraw from markets completely, constraining capacity and access.
Other contributing factors include the rise in construction material costs, disruptions in supply chains, labor scarcity and the ongoing recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. All these factors culminate in increased project expenditures and delays, subsequently leading to a surge in premiums and overall insurance market instability.
In order to help limit the insurance premiums on their wood frame projects, contractors must identify and address the operational risk factors that are within their control. By proactively identifying and mitigating these risks, contractors can ensure that project execution goes smoothly and, in doing so, can advocate for a reduction in their insurance costs.
So, what specifically can a contractor do? Read the full article to find out.