We are soon to submit a planning application for a complete renovation and garden room extension. Almost all the work will be done by our builder, though we have started removing plaster, ceilings, rotten doorframes and fitted kitchen ourselves.

Do we need special insurance for this beyond standard buildings insurance?

Thanks

No but check that your builder has a contractors all risk policy.

I’d say you need to consider what the various risks are and to what extent you are covered. Some of this will depend upon the circumstances and extent of works. Start with your home insurance - you may well find you have no cover because the extent or value of the building works will invalidate it - check now. How close are you and the works to other properties. Could a neighbours wall crack or be impacted by the foundation dig ? Could a building related fire burn down the neighbours house ? Etc The key purpose of insurance is to cover the risks you cannot afford to bear. What happens if the house collapses during the works, if your contents are damaged, destroyed or stolen. If the works mean weather damage occurs ? If the works result in you having an accident or injury ? Maybe you are a multimillionaire and can bear all the risks without insurance- but most likely not.

Also take a look at Renovation Plan Insurance to see what it covers to help you understand the possible risks. Don’t make assumptions, do the research.

What about legal cover ? You might need to take your builder to court, you might have to defend a case brought by your neighbour ?

I cannot remember the details but my home insurer made exclusions for the 'works period' when we were doing EWI, new windows and an extension.

Thanks everyone. I'm starting by requesting a copy of my builder's insurance and will then look at my current policy to see where the are gaps.

As with everything... [sucks teeth] sounds expensive 🤣

@Spinny thanks for that sobering list, it's very useful to have concrete examples.

The builder's insurance is primarily to cover him don't forget. So it may cover say a brick falling off scaffolding and killing someone, or possibly an accidental building fire damaging his tools or materials. However I would have thought you are likely to need more. In the event of something major happening his insurer may try to weadle out of it, so rather like with car insurance you will likely want some insurance that is covering you and will fight it out with legal costs covered. Unfortunately the ramifications of a major building problem can be severe - imagine if half a build had to be abandoned for 2 years while a court case took place to determine who would pay etc. Imagine if your builder died suddenly after knocking holes in your house - it might take 1-2 years just to find another builder willing and available to take it on.

Renovation insurance is expensive. If the build is delayed by problems then you likely need to keep the policy going. I thought we would be paying it for 9 months and it ended up 2-3 years.

Obviously a lot depends exactly how extensive the works will be, whether it is an empty property, etc.

Not sure if you are using an architect or anything, but for structural work having a structural engineer you can call on can be very useful. Ideally once you get planning someone would be doing some construction drawings/lintel specs etc, but does all depend whether you are just taking a door out, or big knock throughs and steels. We wanted to hide a lintel in the ceiling and our SE specified it. Make sure you have a written contract with the builder.

It is good that you are looking at it now. I only realised I needed to get my act together re insurance when I phoned my house insurer about 6 weeks before work was going to start and they said - you will not be covered - your entire policy will be void.

@Spinny thanks again, I appreciate your input from experience.

We're doing quite a bit and have an architect and an initial set of requirements from the SE. It's an old building which needs some shoring up and I have no idea how they'll be tackling some parts so insurance will be vital.

You've given me quite a shopping list on insurance so it is good to have time to sort this out. It's also something that I didn't include in my (very rough) costings!