The existing structure
Arrange insurance that permits the disclosed renovation work and reflects whether the property remains occupied.
Specialist UK insurance broker
Home Renovation Insurance
Plans for your home.
A plan for its protection.
For extensions, conversions and refurbishment projects. We help you distinguish cover for the existing home from insurance for the works themselves, before the project gets underway.
Personal advice · Mon–Fri, 9am – 5.30pm
UK teamReal peopleAlways speak to a real person
A UK property insurance specialist, the same person every time. No phone menus.
01832 735388FCA regulatedProperty Expert Ltd
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Firm Reference Number: 615253What is home renovation insurance?
Home renovation insurance allows agreed building work to take place while protecting the existing property against specified insured events. Cover for contract works is a separate consideration. The Home Insurer can discuss renovation policies with or without works cover, subject to the project and underwriting.
The works themselves
Ask specifically about contract works, materials and the insured parties. A policy permitting renovation does not automatically insure the work.
The project timeline
Discuss the start date, estimated completion, changes to the programme and the insurance needed when the work finishes.
Cover is subject to underwriting, policy terms, limits, conditions and exclusions. Your quotation and policy documents confirm what is included.
Before we talkThe details that help
The details that help
us get it right.
- The scope of work, estimated cost, start date and duration.
- Structural work, excavation, underpinning or changes to the roof.
- Contractor details, contract terms, insurance and required permissions.
- The existing rebuild value, contents and occupancy throughout the works.
What does “with works cover” mean?
Cover for the existing home and cover for a construction project can address different risks. A contractor’s liability policy does not automatically give you the same protection as contract works insurance. We can discuss a specialist policy that includes works where available, and explain its insured parties, limits, exclusions and duration.
Party wall insurance can be arranged on works policies for complete peace of mind where you are worried about possible damage to next door neighbours.
Check the cover, not just the price
DIY work, faulty workmanship, existing defects and damage linked to particular activities may be excluded or restricted. Check the exact terms. Some works policies run for a fixed term without an early-completion refund; other arrangements differ.
Cost & comparisonWhat affects
What affects
your premium?
The project value, existing building value, nature of the work, duration, occupancy and chosen scope of cover affect the premium. Compare the total protection and cancellation terms, including whether the works themselves are insured.
Send us your renewal terms if you have them. We can compare the cover, excesses and conditions with the options available through our panel and explain our recommendation.
People you can speak to
Jason McClean
Director · The Home Insurer
Jason’s experience includes renovating his own home. Our team will ask about the contractor, the scope of work and any gaps between the contractor’s insurance and the protection you need for the property.
Talk to our team on 01832 735388A little clarityYour questions,
Your questions,
answered.
Something specific to your property?
Talk it through with us.
Do I need to tell my home insurer about building work?
Tell your insurer before work starts, describing the scope and value. It can confirm whether the existing policy allows it or whether different terms or a specialist policy are needed.
Does my builder’s insurance cover my house?
Do not assume it covers every risk to your house or the project. Ask for the contractor’s insurance details and discuss how they interact with the proposed contract and your property insurance.
Can I insure the property if I move out during the work?
We can discuss unoccupied renovation cover. Tell us how the property will be secured and inspected, and whether the water, heating or roof will be affected.
Can I get a refund if the project finishes early?
Cancellation and refund terms differ. Some specialist works policies have fixed terms and no early-completion refund. Ask for the terms of the proposed policy before you choose it.
Can you help with work I am doing myself?
Tell us which tasks you will undertake and which contractors will do. DIY work can be restricted or excluded. We will explain the available cover rather than assume it is included.
What is my rebuild cost?
The rebuild cost is what it would cost to rebuild your property from scratch, including demolition, VAT, site clearance and architects’ and surveyors’ fees. It is not the market value and not what you paid for it. For older, listed, thatched or stone-built properties it is often considerably higher than market value.
We must use the figure you give us. If it is too low, your insurer can reduce a claim in proportion — a 40% shortfall can mean 40% taken off any claim, including small ones. A £20,000 escape of water claim could pay out £12,000.
So that this doesn’t happen to you:
- If you’re confident in your figure, please check it still reflects any extension or alteration since it was last set.
- If you’re not confident, we strongly recommend a reinstatement cost assessment by a RICS-regulated surveyor. For a listed, thatched or non-standard property we consider a site visit necessary rather than a remote or desktop report — the features that drive the cost can’t be seen from photographs or aerial imagery.
You can find a RICS-regulated surveyor in your area through the RICS directory at dir.rics.org. We don’t receive any payment from surveyors and we don’t have a panel — the choice of firm is entirely yours, and your contract will be with them.
If you’d rather talk it through first, call us on 01832 735388 and we’ll explain what to ask for.
Please review your rebuild cost at every renewal, and whenever you extend or alter the property.
More detail, with a worked example, in our rebuild cost guide.
Let’s talk about
the cover you need.
Tell us about your property and we’ll help you understand the options available.
Buy with confidence
Authorised, regulated, and accountable.
The Home Insurer is a trading style of Property Expert Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 615253, and a member of the British Insurance Brokers' Association.
Under the FCA's Consumer Duty we are committed to fair-value policies you can depend upon when you need them, and to good outcomes for every customer.
We place cover through a panel that includes Lloyd's of London markets, and we tell you which insurer we have recommended and why before you buy.