Many contractors perform only construction tasks, with no in-house or subcontracted design.   As a result, they believe they are not subject to contractors professional liability exposure. In reality, they just may not fully understand their exposure.  All contractors, trade contractors and subcontractors must:  

1. Manage budgets, maintain the construction documents, assess work and progress; and
2. Manage the construction schedule as to not exceed the time frame allocated for their work.   

Many times, they also might oversee subcontractors working for them or make field changes to plans and specifications to simply save time and money.  All of these tasks or services may expose the contractor to professional liability but many times they are simply looked at as "the work" with little regard to professional risk.  If the contractor goes over budget or exceeds the schedule due to an error in sequencing the work properly they may be responsible for any resulting third party damages.  If they fail  to select competent subcontractors, make field changes that result in some type of failure, apply the inappropriate product under performance specifications, they can be subject to professional liability, specifically the economic damages that may result. Today, every contractor should round out their insurance program by ensuring they also have contractors professional liability or at minimum, assess their risk properly.