Class code 5437 covers installation of cabinet work and interior trim — finish carpentry’s home code, rated below rough framing because the work is lighter and lower. Finish carpenters get overcharged when framing codes absorb their payroll. Get multiple quotes within minutes.

Who falls under code 5437

Carpenters installing cabinets, millwork, doors, and interior trim. Rough framing and structural carpentry rate under separate codes (like 5645 for residential) — and the split matters, because the rates differ meaningfully.

The misclassification traps

• Finish crews lumped into framing codes — paying framing rates for trim work
• Shop fabrication payroll (a different, often lower class) not separated from field installation
• Mixed framing-and-finish crews without documented payroll splits defaulting to the highest applicable rate

What drives your 5437 premium

Payroll in the class, your experience mod, state rates for 5437, and carrier appetite — which varies more for this class than owners expect. The 5437-vs-framing split is one of carpentry’s clearest savings opportunities — auditors default mixed payroll to the higher class unless records prove otherwise. The fix for all of it is the same: accurate payroll split by class, clean documentation, and multiple carriers quoted side by side. See our full class code directory.

Frequently asked questions

What is workers’ comp class code 5437?

Code 5437 covers installation of cabinets, millwork, and interior trim — finish carpentry, rated below rough framing. Mixed crews need documented payroll splits or auditors assign the higher framing rate to everything. See also residential carpentry code 5645.

Can one business have code 5437 and other class codes?

Yes — most businesses carry multiple class codes with payroll split among them. The rules for when payroll can be divided are strict and state-specific, which is exactly where a comp-focused agency earns its keep at audit time.

Think you’re misclassified — or overpaying? We review classifications as part of every quote. Get multiple quotes within minutes.