New NJDOL worker classification rules (N.J.A.C. 12:11) became operative on October 1, 2026. NJBIA and the NJ State Chamber of Commerce had asked Gov. Sherrill to push the date to July 1, 2027, but news reports say she declined, so the rules are in effect now. If you use 1099 subcontractors, review those agreements and how each worker meets all three ABC prongs. NJDOL announcement → ROI-NJ report →
Public Act 26-12 (H.B. 5003) isn't just the January 2027 subcontractor-wage-liability rule below — two separate provisions in the same act took effect on October 1, 2026: (1) contractors on CT public works projects must keep daily attendance records at every job site (worker name, trade license number, arrival/departure times) and submit them weekly to the contracting agency; and (2) all CT employers, any size, must include a wage or wage range and a general benefits description in every job posting — this applies even to remote roles reporting to a CT-based office. Employers with 100+ employees also need a written pay-code guide. Violations of the posting-disclosure rule carry a private right of action for up to 2 years. If you bid CT public work or post CT job openings, make sure your process already reflects both rules. Littler analysis →
Connecticut Public Act 26-12, signed May 11, 2026, also makes general contractors jointly and severally liable for a subcontractor's unpaid wages on construction contracts executed on or after January 1, 2027. If you hire subs for CT jobs, this is a new exposure worth reviewing before year-end. Read our full guide → Governor's announcement →
Workers' Comp Insurance Cost for NJ Contractors (2026) — Real Rates by Trade
NJ WC rates dropped 4.3% in 2026 — tenth straight year of decreases. But New Jersey still runs well above the national average, and your trade is the biggest cost driver. Real rate tables for roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, carpentry, landscaping, and painting.
Read the Guide →10 min read · June 2026
Connecticut General Contractors: New Subcontractor Wage Liability Law (Public Act 26-12)
Starting January 1, 2027, CT general contractors share liability for subs’ unpaid wages. What the law covers, what it excludes, why insurance usually won’t pay these claims, and what to do now.
Read guide →Tools & Equipment Insurance for NJ Contractors — What It Covers & What It Costs
Your GL policy doesn’t cover a single stolen drill. Here’s what an inland marine / tools floater actually covers, what NJ contractors pay by trade, and how blanket vs. scheduled coverage works.
Read guide →Commercial Auto Insurance for NJ Contractors — What Your Work Truck Actually Needs
Your personal auto policy excludes commercial use. Here’s what NJ contractors need for work trucks, fleet coverage, hired & non-owned auto, and the $1M CSL most GCs require on-site.
Read guide →Same-Day Certificate of Insurance in NJ — How It Works
Lost a bid because you couldn't produce a COI fast enough? Here's exactly how same-day certificates work in NJ, what triggers the need for one, and how to have yours ready before the GC asks.
Read →NJ Workers' Comp Audit — What to Expect and How to Prepare
Every WC policy gets audited at year-end. Uninsured sub payments, misclassified payroll, and missing certificates are the three most common reasons contractors get a surprise bill. Here's how to avoid all three.
Read →New guides drop regularly — compliance alerts, cost updates, and trade-specific advice