What insurance do I need from a fence contractor working on my property in BC?

At minimum, you should require any fence contractor working on your BC property to carry Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance of at least $2 million and active WorkSafeBC coverage. These two forms of insurance protect you from the most common financial risks of a fence installation project — property damage, third-party injuries, and worker injury liability — and any legitimate, professional fence contractor in Metro Vancouver will have both.

Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects you if the contractor damages your property, your neighbour's property, or if a third party (such as a passerby) is injured during the work. Fence installation involves digging post holes — often with power augers — near underground utilities, adjacent structures, driveways, landscaping, and neighbouring properties. Even experienced contractors occasionally hit a buried irrigation line, crack a retaining wall footing, or drop a panel onto a vehicle. CGL insurance covers the cost of repairing this damage. In Metro Vancouver, reputable fence contractors carry $2 million to $5 million in CGL coverage. Ask to see the contractor's certificate of insurance (COI) before work begins, and verify that it's current — a COI from last year may reflect a lapsed policy.

WorkSafeBC coverage is the BC equivalent of workers' compensation insurance, and this is where many homeowners unknowingly expose themselves to significant financial risk. Under the BC Workers Compensation Act, if a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not have active WorkSafeBC coverage, you as the homeowner may be held liable for the worker's medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses. Fence installation is physical work involving heavy materials, power tools, deep holes, and concrete — injuries happen. A single serious back injury or a worker struck by a falling post can generate tens of thousands of dollars in costs.

To verify a contractor's WorkSafeBC status, you can request a WorkSafeBC clearance letter. A clearance letter confirms that the contractor is registered with WorkSafeBC and that their account is in good standing — meaning they've been reporting payroll and paying their premiums. You can request a clearance letter yourself through WorkSafeBC's online Clearance Letter application at worksafebc.com. The letter must be addressed to you (the hiring party) to be valid. A clearance letter showing "active and in good standing" confirms coverage up to the date the firm has satisfied its assessment requirements. Contractors with a strong compliance history may qualify for GoldStar clearance status, which provides advance clearance typically to the start of the next quarter.

Request clearance letters both before and after the project. A contractor can be in good standing when you hire them but fall behind on premiums during the project. Getting a clearance letter after the work is complete confirms that coverage was maintained throughout. If the post-completion clearance shows the contractor is no longer in good standing, WorkSafeBC may assess you for the unpaid premiums related to work done on your property.

Additional insurance to consider requesting:

Automobile insurance — if the contractor is driving vehicles and equipment onto your property (which is typical for fence installations that require delivery of posts, concrete, and panels), their commercial auto insurance should cover any damage to your driveway, landscaping, or structures caused by their vehicles.

Completed operations coverage (usually included within CGL) — this covers claims that arise after the work is finished. If a poorly anchored fence post fails six months later and falls onto your neighbour's car, completed operations coverage pays the claim. Verify that your contractor's CGL policy includes completed operations coverage, as some bare-bones policies exclude it.

Umbrella or excess liability — for larger or more complex fence projects (automatic gate systems, tall commercial fencing, work on steep slopes or near structures), some homeowners request proof of umbrella liability coverage above the base CGL limit. This provides an extra layer of protection for catastrophic claims.

What legitimate contractors will provide without hesitation: A professional fence contractor in Metro Vancouver will gladly show you their CGL certificate of insurance, provide a WorkSafeBC clearance letter, and confirm their coverage limits. If a contractor is evasive about insurance, refuses to provide documentation, or claims they "don't need" WorkSafeBC coverage, that's a serious red flag — walk away. The financial risk to you as a homeowner is simply too high. Need help finding properly insured fence contractors? Vancouver Fence Builders can connect you with professionals who carry full insurance coverage.

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