How can I check if my builder has insurance?

Key takeaways

• Your builder should have insurance to cover legal, financial, and operational risks.

• It’s a legal requirement for your builder to have employers’ liability insurance if they employ staff (other than family members) in the UK.

• A reputable builder should show you their insurance certificates and policies.

Why does my builder need insurance?

Your builder needs insurance to protect you, them, their employees and the project if something goes wrong during the work.

Protects your property: If a builder accidentally causes damage, insurance can cover issues like broken pipes, flooding, structural damage, fire or electrical accidents, and even damage to neighbouring properties. Without it, you could be left paying for expensive repairs yourself.

Covers injuries on site: Because construction work is risky, insurance helps cover injuries to the builder, their workers (employers’ liability insurance), and visitors and homeowners on site (public liability insurance).

Protects tools and work: Depending on the policy, it can also cover theft or damage to tools and equipment, materials on site, and sometimes faulty or unfinished work.

Legal protection: If a claim is made against the builder, insurance can also cover legal fees, compensation payments, and court costs.

What insurance should my builder have?

A builder in the UK should ideally have three main types of insurance to properly protect you and the work being done.

How can I check if my builder has insurance?

• Ask your builder for proof of insurance: A reputable builder will be happy to provide the necessary documents. These should include a current and valid insurance certificate. Ensure you receive a copy, either physical or digital, to review.

• Verify the insurance documents: Check the dates to make sure the policy is active during your project. Additionally, confirm the insurer's details by contacting them directly, if possible.

But remember that even if you see the insurance documents there is no guarantee that the builder won’t simply cancel the policy without you knowing.

What happens if my builder doesn’t have builder’s insurance?

If your builder doesn’t have insurance, you could be exposed to significant financial and legal risk if something goes wrong.

Should my builder give me a guarantee?

Yes, a reputable builder should guarantee their work for at least 12 months or offer a longer insurance-backed warranty, which could cover the cost of getting work redone or finished if your builder does a poor job or goes bankrupt.

Do I need to let my insurer know about building work?

Yes, you need to inform your insurer about alterations you’re making to your property or you risk invalidating your policy. Be prepared to answer questions that help your insurer gauge the level of risk involved in your renovation project. They will want to know about:

• The total cost of the renovation.

• The expected duration of the work.

• Whether the property will be unoccupied during the renovation.

• Details about the builders or contractors, including their public liability insurance.

What insurance do I need for building work?

For UK homeowners, the insurance you need for building work depends on who’s doing the work, how big the project is, and whether you’re living in the property during it. The mistake people make is assuming their standard home insurance automatically covers renovations — it often doesn’t, or it only covers part of the risk.

If you’re renovating a property, or building an extension, you will usually need specialist renovation insurance. This will cover things like:

• Accidental damage.

• Theft of contents and materials.

• Personal accidents.

• Legal cover for potential disputes with construction companies.

Compare home insurance after renovation

After the renovation work is completed, it’s vital to reassess your standard home insurance policy to make sure your newly renovated home is adequately protected. In particular, you might need to update the rebuild cost.

Compare home insurance quotes from different insurers to find the best price for the type of cover you want. Don't want more tasks on your to-do list? MoneySuperMarket can do the work for you, saving you time and money.