How Kickstand Reduced a Property Manager’s Workers’ Comp Rates by 60%

The Challenge: Class Code Confusion

Our client, a small property management company, mistakenly described themselves as a “handyman” service because of some light maintenance work they did. Their website didn’t help either, making them sound like full-scale renovators. 

This self-misdiagnosis led to being classified under the more costly handyman Code 5437 at  $4.48 per $100 of payroll instead of Property Management Code 9015 at $1.57 per $100 of payroll. 

With a payroll of $100K, this was a big expense. 

The Solution: Accurate Classification

We dug deeper than their self-description. After probing, we found they were doing regular property management tasks, not renovations. For bigger jobs, they advised property owners on what needed to be done, and the owners hired workers.

Here’s what they actually did:

• Regular and on-request property checks
• Granting access to properties
• Gutter, window, and home cleaning
• Basic tech installations (e.g., smart thermostats)
• Lawn mowing and light labor

We also questioned them on what their website said. Even though it suggested they were doing renovations, they were only giving advice and outsourcing actual work. 

Clearly, they weren’t handymen - they were property managers. We reclassified them under code 9015 at $1.57 per $100 of payroll.

The Results: Significant Savings 

Thanks to the reclassification, the client saved nearly 50% on workers' comp premiums. Instead of paying $4,480 annually, they now paid only $1,570—saving $2,910 each year!

Takeaway: Get Classified Right 

Class codes are tricky, and self-diagnosis can be expensive. Always provide detailed info to your agent and trust their expertise to classify you correctly. 

And be careful what you write on your website—insurance underwriters and agents use it to understand your business. If it’s outdated or inaccurate, you could be misclassified.