Builder's Risk for Site Preparation for grading contractors
Covers the work in progress on a site-prep or grading project — installed storm pipe, base course, paving, curbs, and improvements — against fire, theft, vandalism, wind, and other perils before the project is turned over to the owner. Required on most developer, municipal, and DOT contracts.

What it covers
- Installed site improvements — storm pipe, inlets, and underground utilities
- Base course, paving, curbs, and flatwork in progress
- Materials and supplies staged on site
- Fire, theft, vandalism, wind, and named perils
- Soft costs and delay where applicable
- Coverage up to project turnover and acceptance
Who it's for
- Site-prep and grading contractors on developer or municipal contracts
- Operations installing improvements that become part of the project
- Contractors whose contract shifts course-of-construction risk to them
- Civil and utility contractors on phased or long-duration projects
Why CCA
- Coverage written per-project or on a reporting form for multiple jobs
- Limits matched to contract value and the developer's requirements
- Coordinates with GL and equipment floater so there are no gaps
Common questions about builder's risk for site preparation
Builder's risk (course of construction) covers work in progress on a project — installed pipe, base, paving, curbs, and improvements — against fire, theft, vandalism, wind, and other perils before turnover. Site-prep contractors need it on most developer, municipal, and DOT contracts where the contract shifts that risk to the contractor.
Often yes, but the contract determines who carries it and who is named insured. Some site-prep and grading contracts require the contractor to carry builder's risk on installed work. We review your contracts to confirm who carries it and place it where the obligation falls on you.
No — GL covers third-party bodily injury and property damage, not the work itself. Damage to installed improvements (from fire, theft, a storm) is a builder's risk matter. Without builder's risk, replacing stolen pipe or storm-damaged base falls on you.
Yes — a reporting form or master builder's risk policy can cover multiple projects under one program, which is more efficient than per-project policies if you run several jobs at once. We structure it to match how you actually operate.
Typically to the contract value or the completed value of the work you're responsible for. We size limits to the project and the developer's requirements, including soft costs and delay where the contract requires it.
Cost is driven by crew size and payroll, equipment fleet value, number and type of hauling vehicles, scope of work, state, and loss history. We quote your actual operation in about 15 minutes — never a ballpark from a generic contractor form.
Yes. Contractors Choice Agency is licensed in all 50 states and writes programs nationwide — Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Nashville, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Boise, and everywhere grading operates.
Typically 15 minutes on a call. Larger programs, surety underwriting, or poor loss history may take a day or two to place with the right markets, but we move fast and set expectations up front.
Often yes. We have admitted and E&S markets for contractors declined over prior loss runs, a poor X-Mod, OSHA citations, or high-hazard class codes. Bring us your situation and we'll find a market.
Usually yes. A coordinated program closes gaps between policies and is typically cheaper than separate policies from separate carriers — and far easier to manage at claim and audit time.
A.M. Best ratings reflect a carrier's financial strength and ability to pay claims. We place coverage with A-rated (and A.M. Best A+ where possible) carriers so the coverage is there when an equipment theft, a haul-truck accident, or a trench-collapse claim hits.
Yes. Residential site prep, commercial pad building, road and highway grading, utility trenching, land clearing, and mass-grading operations all carry different exposure profiles. We tailor each program to the actual scope of work you perform.
Equipment scheduled at agreed value is paid the scheduled amount on a covered total loss — no depreciation argument. Equipment at actual cash value is depreciated, often heavily. Proper agreed-value scheduling is what ensures a fleet claim pays what the iron was actually worth.
Crew size and breakdown by role, equipment list with values (owned and rented), vehicle list (dump trucks, lowboys, pickups), scope of work and typical contract size, current coverage and limits, bonding needs, payroll, and loss history. The more detail, the more accurate the quote.
It can, with the right class codes and endorsements. Land clearing, demolition, and burning operations carry distinct liability and pollution exposure that standard GL may under-cover or exclude. Tell us your full scope and we'll add the right coverage.
Yes. Sole proprietors and owner-operators often have different workers' comp, auto, and equipment exposure than a multi-crew company — and may qualify for mono-line or owner-operator programs. We reflect how you actually run in the rating and coverage.
Equipment-floater claims are paid against the schedule — serial numbers, year, make, model, and value. Incomplete records mean delays and reduced payments. We help you document the fleet properly up front so a theft or damage claim is settled quickly and fully.
Yes. If you run multiple crews, mobilize across sites, or lease and rent equipment, we build one coordinated program covering owned, leased, and rental equipment and active projects with no gaps.
Yes. We build a bonding line — bid, performance, payment, and maintenance bonds — based on your work-in-progress and financials, so your surety capacity scales with the work you're chasing. That's how you qualify for bigger developer, municipal, and DOT contracts.
Additional insured status extends your general liability to cover the general contractor or developer for your operations on the project. Nearly every grading contract requires it (along with a waiver of subrogation and primary wording). We issue certificates and endorsements that clear the GC's contract review.
Ready to protect your grading operation?
Get a 15-minute quote from specialists who understand grading and earthmoving — general liability, dump-truck auto, equipment floaters, and bonding.