Should your builder have insurance? What a homeowner should check
Ask the builder for current insurance evidence before appointing them, and check that the work, people and dates match your project. A certificate is a starting point, not a guarantee that every loss or defect will be covered. Your own home insurer should also know about substantial building work.
Which policies matter?
Public liability concerns injury to others and damage to third-party property arising from the builder’s activities. Employers’ liability covers employees injured at work; whether it is required depends on the employment arrangements, and a builder with employees generally needs it. Professional indemnity matters where the builder or another party takes design or technical advice responsibility. It does not replace cover for poor workmanship. Citizens Advice explains these distinctions.
Other covers can matter too: contract works, existing structures, hired plant or a specialist subcontractor’s own policy. Ask the insurer or broker, rather than assuming the phrase “fully insured” covers the whole project.
Five checks on the evidence
Name: does the insured legal entity match the person or company signing your contract?
Dates: will cover run throughout the planned works, including any extension?
Activities: does it include the actual work, such as structural alterations, roofing or excavation?
Limits and exclusions: are the limits appropriate, and are there relevant exclusions, conditions or excesses?
People and subcontractors: who is responsible for checking any specialist firms and their work?
Request the schedule and policy details when the certificate is vague. For a material concern, ask the broker or insurer to confirm cover in writing for the described project; Build Advocate cannot determine coverage from a badge or headline limit alone.
Tell your home insurer
Your buildings policy may have conditions about renovations, unoccupied periods, structural work, scaffolding and security. Tell your insurer what is planned and keep its response. Agree in the contract who insures the existing house and the new work while construction is underway. Do not leave this question until a leak or fire occurs.
Insurance is one part of due diligence
A policy does not establish competence, financial stability, an adequate scope or a workable programme. Check previous work, references, quote assumptions and contract terms as well. Read how to check a builder and what to put in the contract.
If you have several builders to compare, Build Advocate’s homeowner-side review can examine the evidence and gaps before you commit. See the comprehensive £999 package.
