Residential framing is one of Florida's highest-rated trades. Compare carriers for carpentry contractors, make sure your work is in the right carpentry class, and get same-day certificates for permits and builders.
No obligation · Takes less than 60 seconds
Last updated · Sources: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, NCCI, and the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation
Florida carpentry workers' comp: quick facts for 2026
Carpentry has several class codes, and the one you're in makes a big difference. Residential carpentry and framing (5645) is $7.69 per $100 of payroll in 2026, close to roofing. Commercial carpentry, cabinet installation and interior trim have their own codes, which are usually rated lower.
Most Florida homes are block on the first floor, but wood framing is common for second stories, trusses, additions and interior walls. Falls, power-tool injuries and lifting injuries drive the cost.
Carpenters who do both rough framing and finish work should track payroll by type of work. Without records, an auditor may put all payroll in the highest-rated code.
These are the NCCI class codes most often used for carpentry & framing in Florida. Rates shown are 2026 Florida manual rates per $100 of payroll and apply statewide. "Quoted" means the rate for that code is provided with your quote. The right code depends on the work each employee actually does.
| NCCI Code | Classification | Rate per $100 | Premium on $100K payroll* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5645 | Carpentry / Framing — Residential | $7.69 | $7,850 |
| 5403 | Carpentry — Commercial (NOC) | Quoted | Varies |
| 5437 | Carpentry — Cabinet Work or Interior Trim Installation | Quoted | Varies |
| 8810 | Clerical / Office Employees | $0.17 | $330 |
* Includes the $160 expense constant, at a 1.0 experience mod, before Drug-Free Workplace (5%) or other credits. See the full Florida rate table.
Yes, with one employee. Florida treats this work as construction under its workers' compensation law (Chapter 440), so coverage is required as soon as the business has one employee, and corporate officers and LLC members count unless they have filed an exemption. Up to three officers or members who each own at least 10% can file a $50 construction exemption, but it covers only the owners.
For 2026, included officers are rated on a minimum payroll of $33,800 each for construction businesses and $67,600 each for non-construction businesses. Operating without required coverage can lead to a Stop-Work Order and penalties based on the premium you should have paid.
Carpentry contractors save the most by keeping accurate payroll records by class, so finish work isn't billed at framing rates. Collecting certificates from every crew, earning the 5% Drug-Free Workplace credit, and protecting the experience mod with fall-protection programs also help. Because every Florida carrier starts from the same manual rates, a specialist who knows your industry can make a real difference in how your policy is classified, credited and audited.
Florida uses the same NCCI base rates for every carrier. Premium is (annual payroll ÷ $100) × class code rate × experience mod, plus a $160 expense constant. For example, a residential framing contractor with $250,000 in payroll (class 5645, $7.69 per $100) pays about $19,385 a year at a 1.0 experience mod, before credits such as the 5% Drug-Free Workplace credit. 2026 Florida rates decreased 6.9% on average.
Yes, with one employee. Florida treats this work as construction under its workers' compensation law (Chapter 440), so coverage is required as soon as the business has one employee, and corporate officers and LLC members count unless they have filed an exemption. Up to three officers or members who each own at least 10% can file a $50 construction exemption, but it covers only the owners.
Residential carpentry and framing is class 5645, with a 2026 Florida rate of $7.69 per $100 of payroll. Commercial carpentry is generally class 5403, and cabinet and interior trim installation is class 5437. Each has its own rate.
Keep payroll records that separate framing from finish carpentry and office work, so each part is rated in its own class. Also collect certificates from all subs, use a Drug-Free Workplace program for a 5% credit, and keep claims low to keep your experience mod below 1.0.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation can issue a Stop-Work Order that shuts down the business until coverage is obtained and a penalty is paid. The penalty is generally twice the premium the employer would have paid over the prior two years, with a $1,000 minimum, and working in violation of a Stop-Work Order adds further daily penalties. Uninsured employers can also be sued directly by injured workers.
Get a free, no-obligation workers' compensation quote for your Florida carpentry business today.
Get My Free Quote Now →