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Q&As
Insuring the builders
We are looking to undertake a kitchen extension and loft conversion and we are using a number of subcontractors for the work. Do I need to take out any specialist insurance during the building works? I have checked with my existing home insurer and all I was told was that I need to tell it when we start and finish, and from what date we have any additional bedrooms. It does not cover building works or accidental damage due to third parties undertaking work on site.
Answers
Generally your sub-contractors’ insurance should cover this: insist on seeing all of your sub-contractors’ insurance details as part of the quotation process and certainly obtain copies when raising orders. Look for a minimum of £2m all-risks cover. Insurance for self-builders building a new property is available from specialists such as Self-Build Zone (0845 230 9874, www.selfbuildzone.com) or BuildStore (0870 870 9991, www.buildstore.co.uk), which also offer cover for renovation and conversion work – it may be worth talking to one of these to find out if they will cover your project at a reasonable cost. For more on insurance during building work, take a look at Build It’s feature in the August 2006 issue.
