I work for a contracting company and recently we changed the roof on a house that was damaged by a storm. The insurance company sent a check to pay for the work done on the roof. The check was drawn out to the owner of the house and the mortgage company, the owner told the mortgage company to keep the money from the insurance settlement to pay for his past mortgage payments and now the owner has not paid us (the contractor) and the mortgage company refuses to hand over the proceeds to us (the contractor), when the roof has been completely repaired. Is this legal?

How much would workers comp and liability insurance cost on average if I had 4 employees that earn give or take 35,000 per year that would be painting interior and exterior??

What would the annual or monthly cost be (approx.) for liability insurance of an artisan contractor? The work is mostly commerical and home tile/grout work in kitchens and bathrooms. The business consists of just the owner/master artisan who may have 1 or 2 other people do some jobs with him. The owner is well trained and has plenty of experience. The work would be done mostly in MA and certainly within New England. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe if someone has a similar type business, they could share what their monthly or annual payments are?

Thanks!

I’ve had an S-Corp in MA for more than 2 yrs. I have a website, business cards, etc and have had (and continue to have) more than half a dozen clients during this time. My biggest client, whom I’ve performed services for for a couple yrs is concerned that I can be considered an employee under the IRS and MA common law rules that can penalize the employer (my client) w/ back taxes, benefits, etc) by determining that I should have been treated as an employee. My contention is that as an S-Corp that pays myself a salary (I’m the only employee) as well as unemployment insurance, etc – that I could not be considered an employee. Thus, they are not at risk.

Is my analysis correct?

I’m asking only because my friends are contractors who live in illinois, were sent out to work in Texas, got laid off and drove to Massachusetts to collect unemployment (only becas Mass. has the highest insurance rate). I’m only asking because it doesnt seem right to me.