Construction subcontractor checklist
The documents most general contractors collect, and what to check on each.
Typical required documents
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) — general liability, auto, umbrella. Mark as expiring.
- Additional insured endorsement naming your company and the project owner.
- Workers' compensation clearance letter or certificate. Mark as expiring.
- Business and trade licences. Mark as expiring.
- Signed subcontract agreement — turn on Requires signature.
- W-9 (US) or GST/HST registration (Canada).
- Safety program, COR/SECOR or equivalent certification.
- Site-specific safety plan and worker training records (WHMIS, fall protection).
- Bonding letter for larger packages (optional).
What to check on a COI
- The insured name matches the subcontractor exactly.
- Your company is listed as certificate holder and additional insured.
- Policy dates cover the full project duration.
- Limits meet your minimums (for example, $2M or $5M per occurrence).
- The insurer is licensed in your province or state.
AI review flags most of these automatically — missing insured names, wrong certificate holders and blank policy dates show up as critical findings.
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