Hiring someone to soft wash your roof or siding puts your home at risk if they lack proper insurance—and you could be liable for injuries or property damage. Before you hire, you need to verify what coverage they actually carry and whether it protects you. Here's exactly what to check.
Why Insurance Matters for Soft Washing
Soft washing involves pressurized water, chemicals, and work at height on residential structures. Workers can slip, fall, or accidentally damage gutters, siding materials, and landscaping. If a contractor lacks liability insurance and causes damage, you're the one writing the check. If they get injured on your property without workers' compensation, their medical bills could become your problem through a lawsuit.
The Two Types of Coverage You Need to See
General Liability Insurance protects against property damage and bodily injury claims. A contractor should carry at minimum $300,000 to $1 million in coverage—$500,000 is a solid baseline for residential soft washing work. This covers scenarios like accidentally spraying a window seal, damaging siding paint, or injuring themselves on your property.
Workers' Compensation Insurance is legally required in most states if the contractor has employees. This covers their workers if they're injured on the job. Even if you're hiring a solo operator, some states mandate it. Don't assume it's optional—verify your state's requirements.
Ask the contractor outright: "Can you show me your current proof of insurance?" A legitimate business keeps a current certificate of insurance readily available and can email it to you in minutes.
What to Check on the Certificate
When you receive the certificate of insurance, verify:
- Effective dates: Is it current, not expired?
- Policy limits: General liability limits should be $500K–$1M for residential work.
- Project-specific additions: Ask if you can be listed as an "additional insured," which extends some protection to you on the policy.
- Coverage types: Confirm both general liability and workers' comp are listed (if applicable).
- Insurer name: Search the insurance company online to confirm it's legitimate and properly licensed.
Contact the insurance company directly if something looks off. Contractors sometimes submit outdated or falsified certificates. A 30-second call to the insurer asking, "Is policy #[number] active and in good standing?" clears this up instantly.
Red Flags That Should Stop You
- The contractor can't produce a certificate within 24 hours.
- The certificate is expired or the dates don't match when they claim coverage starts.
- They offer cash discounts in exchange for skipping insurance verification—a major warning sign.
- They claim they're "bonded" but can't show proof of liability insurance (bonding and insurance are different).
- Limits are suspiciously low, like $50,000 or $100,000 for residential work.
Any of these warrant hiring someone else.
How This Protects You
When a contractor is properly insured and you're listed as additional insured, their policy covers damage they cause—not yours. If they accidentally strip paint off cedar siding during a roof soft wash, their liability insurance pays for the repair. If a worker slips and breaks an arm, their workers' comp covers medical costs.
Without verification, you're betting your home equity on trust alone.
Getting Help Comparing Contractors
Checking insurance is just one part of vetting a soft washing contractor. You'll also want to compare pricing (typically $300–$800 for roof soft washing, $400–$1,200 for siding, depending on home size), read reviews, and confirm they use appropriate low-pressure techniques for your specific materials. Platforms like Mercoly let you compare trusted soft washing providers side-by-side, including their credentials and customer feedback, so you can make informed decisions faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a contractor's homeowners insurance cover soft washing work they do on my property? No. Homeowners insurance explicitly excludes business activities. They must carry commercial liability insurance.
Q: What happens if I hire someone without insurance and they damage my roof? You'll file a claim with your homeowners insurance, but your deductible applies (often $500–$1,000), and your rates may increase.
Q: Is asking for proof of insurance considered rude or unnecessary? Not at all—any professional contractor expects this question and respects clients who ask it.
Get at least two contractors to provide current insurance certificates before making your final decision.