Homeowners rarely ask about insurance and warranties until something has gone wrong, at which point it is too late to check whether the right cover was in place. Here is what should be confirmed before a single brick is laid.
Public Liability Insurance
Any legitimate builder should hold public liability insurance, covering damage or injury caused during the course of the work, both to your property and to third parties such as visitors or neighbours. Ask to see a current certificate before work starts, not after. This is not something to take on trust.
Employer's Liability Insurance
If a builder employs staff or uses subcontractors, they are legally required to hold employer's liability insurance, covering injury to workers on site. This protects you as the homeowner from being drawn into a claim if a worker is injured while working on your property.
Your Own Buildings Insurance
Notify your buildings insurer before significant structural work begins, particularly extensions, loft conversions or work involving removing load-bearing walls. Some policies require this notification, and failing to do so can, in rare cases, affect a claim if something goes wrong during or shortly after the build.
Workmanship Guarantees
A reputable builder should offer a guarantee on their own workmanship, separate from manufacturer warranties on materials and appliances. Ask specifically:
- How long is the workmanship guarantee, and what does it cover
- Is it in writing, not just a verbal assurance
- What is the process if a defect appears after completion
Structural Warranties for Larger Projects
For substantial extensions or full renovations, structural warranty products (similar to new-build warranties) are available and provide insurance-backed cover for defects over a longer period, typically ten years. These are worth considering on larger projects, and can matter significantly if you sell the property before that period ends, since buyers' solicitors increasingly ask about this cover on recent significant works.
Manufacturer Warranties on Fittings
Kitchens, bathrooms, boilers and windows usually carry their own manufacturer warranties, separate from the builder's workmanship guarantee. Keep this paperwork together, registration details, installation dates and warranty certificates, since claims are far easier with documentation to hand rather than trying to reconstruct it years later.
What We Provide
We carry full public liability and employer's liability insurance, provide a written workmanship guarantee on every project, and keep clients' fitting warranties and building control completion certificates organised and handed over at the end of the job.
If you want to understand exactly what cover applies to your planned renovation, get in touch and we will talk it through before you commit to anything.