Harry,
Just to clarify -
1 - Hardware store, which sells, amongst other items, kitchen/bath cabinets and counters - no installation (this is not a store with a backroom kitchen/bath cabinet or counter manufacturing operation - strictly sales);
2 - A GC who builds homes and purchases materials, kitchen/bath cabinets and counters from the hardware store;
3 - One of your carriers is comfortable with the hardware store operation and has agreed, after reviewing the ACORD and any supplemental applications, to issue a BOP for the operation. The same is true for another carrier writing coverage for General Contractors who has agreed to issue the GL. We will assume that you have placed WC for both operations. You advised each business owner about how the basis of premium is determined for their operation for both GL and WC and the need to secure Certificates of Insurance for all subcontractors. You have discussed what is and what is not covered by the recommended policies. You have discussed coverage on commercial autos, installation floaters, tools and equipment, bonds, EPLI, Umbrella Liability, life, health, home and personal auto, and pet insurance for rover who lazily greets customers at the hardware store. You presented them with a list of the recommended coverage they declined to purchase, if any, and had them sign off on the list, which you will keep in their file. Finally, and you probably did this up front, you asked your clients to tell you a bit about their businesses (how they got started, what they did before they entered into their current vocations, where their 5 year business plan takes them, what have been the toughest lessons to learn and what have been their sweetest successes, etc.), you asked them to discuss their thoughts about their insurance programs and what they expected from their agent, you ask them to tell you about their most difficult claim (how it happened, how the claim was settled, what steps they've taken to avoid similar claims in the future). You know the routine, get your client to talk and just sit back and listen. From all you've heard and learned about your clients and their operations you feel good that they are a good fit for your agency and your carriers, the policies you've recommended will satisfy their needs, and the financial strength of the carriers issuing the coverage is at least A- or above. You have advised them that you are not an attorney nor are you an accountant and, as such, you are not competent to advise them about the indemnification and/or hold harmless wording in any of the agreements they employ in their operations or the IRS definition of an employee. You suggest that they may want to get up with their attorney to discuss ways to contractually transfer risk in their operations and with their accountant to discuss tax and payroll issues.
All of that being said, you seem to have done an acceptable job to get started with these clients. I'm sure I've missed something, but then that's why my E&O carrier makes the big bucks.
Good luck!