Public Liability for Builders Insurance
Compare Builders Insurance Quotes
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What Is Builders Insurance?
Builders insurance is a package of cover designed to protect builders and construction workers against the financial risks of site work, including injury claims, property damage, and tool theft.
Any builder working on residential or commercial sites in the UK needs it. That includes sole traders doing kitchen extensions, partnerships running renovation projects, and limited companies managing full construction builds.
Most builders buy a combined package that bundles public liability, employers’ liability, and tools cover into a single policy. It sits within the broader category of tradesman insurance, which covers trades from plumbers to roofers.
The HSE recorded 51 fatal injuries in construction during 2023/24, making it one of the highest-risk industries in the UK. Insurance isn’t optional for most builders; it’s the difference between surviving a claim and closing your business.
How To Compare Builders Insurance Quotes
You can compare builders insurance quotes from trusted UK insurers online in a few minutes.
Enter your details
Tell us your trade, turnover, number of employees, and the cover levels you need. The form takes around two minutes to complete.
Compare quotes
We show you prices from multiple UK insurers side by side. Every provider on our panel is authorised by the FCA and regulated in the UK.
Check the details
Look beyond the headline price. Check what’s included, what the excess is, and whether the insurer has a good claims process.
Buy online
Once you’ve chosen, buy your cover online. Some policies start immediately, while others begin from a date you choose.
What Does Builders Insurance Cover?
A builders insurance policy typically combines several covers into one package. The exact mix depends on your trade, team size, and the contracts you take on.
Tools and equipment cover
Replaces or repairs your tools if they’re stolen, lost, or damaged. Most policies cover tools in your van, on site, and at home.
Check whether your policy covers tools left in an unattended vehicle overnight. Some insurers exclude this without approved van security like a Sold Secure lock.
Employers’ liability insurance
Covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill because of their work for you. The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 sets the legal minimum at £5 million, but most policies offer £10 million as standard. Claims can come years later. An apprentice who develops hand-arm vibration syndrome from power tool use on your site could claim against you long after the job finishes.
Stock and materials cover
Protects building materials stored on site or in transit if they’re stolen, damaged, or destroyed. This covers bricks, timber, copper piping, and other supplies you’ve already paid for.
Worth considering if you regularly buy materials in advance. A weekend flood or theft can wipe out thousands in supplies you’ve already paid for.
Public liability insurance
Pays compensation and legal costs if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your work. Most builders choose between £2 million and £5 million cover. If a homeowner trips over materials you left in a hallway and breaks their wrist, your PLI covers their medical costs, lost earnings, and your legal fees.
Related: What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Contract works insurance
Also called contractors’ all risks, this covers the physical work you’re carrying out if it’s damaged by fire, flood, theft, or vandalism before handover. It’s usually based on the maximum contract value you take on.
Without it, you’d have to redo damaged work at your own cost. On larger builds, that can run into tens of thousands.
Hired-in plant cover
If you hire excavators, cement mixers, or scaffolding, you’re usually liable for damage or theft while the plant is in your care. Hired-in plant cover protects you if something goes wrong.
Hire agreements typically make you liable for the full replacement cost if something goes wrong. This cover picks up that bill.
Professional indemnity insurance
If you provide design advice, draw up plans, or specify materials, professional indemnity covers claims from errors in your professional work. Not every builder needs this, but it’s worth considering if you go beyond hands-on trade work.
Legal expenses cover
Pays solicitor fees for contract disputes, employment tribunals, and HMRC tax investigations. Typically costs £30 to £60 per year as an add-on and covers up to £100,000 in legal costs.
Personal accident cover
Pays a lump sum if you’re seriously injured on site and can’t work. Particularly useful for sole traders with no employer sick pay to fall back on.
| Cover Type | What It Protects | Typical Limit | Required by Law? |
| Public liability | Third-party injury or property damage | £2m to £10m | No, but contractually required |
| Employers’ liability | Employee injury or illness at work | £5m to £10m | Yes, if you employ anyone |
| Tools & equipment | Theft, loss, or damage to tools | £2,000 to £15,000 | No |
| Stock & materials | Materials on site or in transit | Agreed value | No |
| Contract works | Damage to work in progress | Max contract value | Often required by JCT contracts |
| Hired-in plant | Hired equipment in your care | Hire agreement value | No |
| Professional indemnity | Errors in design or advice | £100k to £1m | No |
| Legal expenses | Solicitor and court costs | £50k to £100k | No |
| Personal accident | Injury preventing you working | Agreed lump sum | No |
How Much Does Builders Insurance Cost?
Most builders pay between £150 and £600 per year for a combined insurance package. Your exact price depends on turnover, team size, cover levels, and claims history.
Typical pricing by cover type
| Cover Type | Typical Annual Cost | Notes |
| Public liability (£2m) | £80 to £200 | Sole traders at the lower end |
| Public liability (£5m) | £120 to £350 | Standard for most contract work |
| Public liability (£10m) | £200 to £500 | Required by some local authorities |
| Employers’ liability (£10m) | £100 to £300 | Depends on number of employees |
| Tools cover (£5k) | £50 to £120 | Higher for power tools |
| Contract works | £80 to £250 | Based on max contract value |
| Combined package | £150 to £600 | Bundling saves 10 to 20% |
These figures are based on quotes from UK insurers during 2025/26. For a personalised price, compare builders insurance quotes from multiple providers.
Related: How Much Does Public Liability Insurance Cost?
What affects your premium?
Your annual turnover is the single biggest pricing factor. Higher-risk trades like scaffolders and roofers pay more because of the height risk.
Lower-risk trades like painters and decorators and plasterers typically pay less. Your claims history, team size, and location all factor in too.
Cost by trade type
| Trade | Risk Level | Typical Combined Premium | Why |
| General builder | Medium | £200 to £450 | Varied site work, moderate height risk |
| Roofer / scaffolder | High | £350 to £700 | Working at height, higher claim rates |
| Bricklayer | Medium | £180 to £400 | Structural work, moderate risk |
| Painter & decorator | Low | £100 to £250 | Indoor work, low injury risk |
| Groundworker | High | £300 to £600 | Excavation, plant operation, buried services |
| Carpenter / joiner | Low-medium | £120 to £300 | Workshop and site, power tool risk |
Do Builders Need Insurance by Law?
Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ anyone, including apprentices and labour-only subcontractors on your payroll. Public liability isn’t legally required, but you’ll struggle to win work without it.
Employers’ liability
The 1969 Act requires every employer to hold at least £5 million of cover. Failing to comply carries a fine of up to £2,500 for each day without cover.
Public liability
There’s no law requiring sole traders to hold public liability insurance. In practice, most main contractors, local authorities, and housing associations require proof of cover before you step on site.
CDM regulations 2015
Builders working on most projects must comply with the CDM Regulations 2015. These place duties on clients, designers, and contractors to manage health and safety risks throughout a build.
CSCS cards and site access
Most commercial sites require a valid CSCS card before you’re allowed on site. While not a legal requirement, it’s an industry standard that sits alongside your insurance as proof of competence.
What Isn’t Covered By Builders Insurance?
No policy covers everything. Knowing the common exclusions before you buy prevents surprises when you need to claim.
Deliberate damage and poor workmanship
Intentional damage or reckless behaviour is never covered. If you knowingly cut corners on safety and someone gets hurt, your insurer won’t pay out.
Poor workmanship is separate from accidental damage. If a wall cracks because the mortar was mixed wrong, that’s a quality issue, not an insurable event.
Work outside your declared trade
If you tell your insurer you do domestic extensions but then take on commercial demolition, your policy may not respond. Always update your insurer when your scope of work changes.
Asbestos and hazardous materials
Asbestos-related claims are excluded by most standard policies. If you work on pre-2000 buildings, check whether your policy includes asbestos cover or offers it as an add-on.
Vehicles and hired plant
Your van, car, and personal vehicle aren’t covered by builders insurance. You’ll need separate commercial vehicle insurance for those.
Professional advice (without PI cover)
If you give design advice or specify materials without professional indemnity cover, any resulting claim won’t be covered by your public liability policy. These are treated as professional errors, not accidents.
How To Reduce The Cost Of Builders Insurance?
The cheapest policy isn’t always the best value. Focus on getting the right cover at the best price rather than stripping your policy down to save a few pounds.
Bundle your covers
Buying public liability, employers’ liability, and tools cover as a combined business insurance package typically saves 10 to 20% compared to buying each one separately.
Increase your voluntary excess
Raising your excess from £100 to £250 can cut your premium by 5 to 10%. Only do this if you can comfortably cover the excess from cash flow.
Keep a clean claims history
Five years without a claim can reduce your premium by 15 to 25%. Avoid making small claims where the premium increase would outweigh the payout.
Invest in site security
Fitting approved locks on your van, using CCTV on site, and storing tools securely can qualify you for lower premiums. Insurers reward builders who reduce theft risk.
Pay annually
Monthly instalments add 10 to 15% in interest charges. If you can afford the lump sum, annual payment always works out cheaper.
Match your cover to your risk
A self-employed tiler doing bathroom refits doesn’t need £10 million PLI. Review your cover levels at each renewal and adjust them to match your current workload.
Compare at renewal
Loyalty rarely pays. The FCA found that long-standing customers were routinely charged more than new ones.
What Types Of Builder Does This Cover?
Builders insurance covers a wide range of construction trades, from sole traders doing domestic extensions to limited companies running commercial projects.
By trade
Bricklayers insurance
covers brickwork, blockwork, and masonry for new builds, extensions, and boundary walls.
Carpenter insurance
covers joinery, timber framing, and structural woodwork for residential and commercial projects.
Plasterer insurance
covers internal and external plastering, rendering, and dry lining work.
Roofer insurance
covers roof repairs, replacements, and new installations including work at height.
Painter & decorator insurance
covers interior and exterior painting, wallpapering, and decorating for domestic and commercial clients.
Scaffolder insurance
covers the erection, dismantling, and hire of scaffolding on construction sites.
By service
Construction insurance
covers large-scale building projects including new builds, commercial developments, and civil engineering work.
Landscaping insurance
covers garden design, hard landscaping, driveways, patios, and external construction work.
Handyman insurance
covers general property maintenance, minor repairs, and multi-trade work for domestic clients.
By related trade
Plumbing insurance
covers plumbing installations, repairs, and bathroom fitting work.
Electrician insurance
covers electrical installations, rewiring, and testing for domestic and commercial properties.
Gas engineer insurance
covers boiler installations, gas appliance servicing, and central heating work.
Window cleaner insurance
covers residential and commercial window cleaning, including work at height.
Tree surgeon insurance
covers tree felling, pruning, stump grinding, and arboricultural work.
Gardener insurance
covers garden maintenance, lawn care, hedge trimming, and light landscaping.
By business structure
Sole traders
often only need public liability and tools cover. Partnerships and limited companies typically add employers’ liability as a legal requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public liability isn’t required by law, but employers’ liability is if you employ anyone. Most clients also require proof of public liability before letting you on site.
£2 million is enough for most domestic work. Commercial contracts and local authority work typically require £5 million or £10 million.
It depends on the arrangement. Labour-only subcontractors working under your direction are usually covered by your employers’ liability, but bona fide subcontractors need their own policy.
Yes, if the damage is accidental and caused by your work. If you crack a customer’s driveway while delivering materials, your public liability would cover the repair cost.
Public liability isn’t legally required for sole traders, but most clients and main contractors won’t hire a builder without proof of cover.
Builders insurance is aimed at individual tradespeople and small firms. Construction insurance typically refers to larger project-specific policies covering the entire build, including multiple contractors.
Most comparison services provide quotes within minutes. Some policies start the same day, while others begin from a date you choose.
No, builders insurance covers your trade risks, not your vehicle. You’ll need separate commercial van insurance.
Yes, though your premiums will be higher. Be upfront about past claims, as specialist insurers often provide better rates for builders with a mixed record.
Most insurers let you increase cover levels, add employees, or bolt on extras mid-term. Reducing cover may be restricted until renewal.
No, if a wall cracks because the mortar was mixed wrong, that’s a quality issue rather than an insurable event. Insurance covers accidental damage, not the cost of redoing poor work.
You can be fined £2,500 for each day you operate without employers’ liability insurance if you employ anyone. The HSE carries out checks and can prosecute.
A CSCS card and insurance are separate requirements. Most commercial sites need both before you’re allowed access, but holding one doesn’t satisfy the other.
Add up the replacement cost of all your hand and power tools, then choose a limit that covers the total. Most builders carry between £3,000 and £10,000 worth of tools.
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