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Self build house insurance

11/10/2024

Do I need insurance for a self build house?

What insurance do I need for a self-build house?

Building your own home can be an exciting and creative endeavour. But it can also be full of risk and expense. It’s essential to protect your investment with the right insurance coverage. 

The insurance you need will depend on what stage of the build you have reached, and the risks you are liable for. While getting self build home insurance might seem obvious, the building itself is unlikely to be the only insurance concern. 

Potential risks, such as damage during construction, liability claims, tool or equipment theft, or employee injuries could all derail your project if not properly insured. So it’s important to get the right insurance cover that is tailored to your project’s needs.

Types of insurance needed for self build projects

Protecting your home at every stage of the self build can help you avoid delays and the serious financial issues that can come with working uninsured. It’s vital to understand the key insurance policies you’ll need to protect your investment:

Self build house insurance options

Self build home buildings insurance – protects the property building and fixtures including your walls, windows, roof, and any fitted kitchens or bathrooms.

Self build home contents insurance – covers the personal possessions you keep within your home. 

Accidental damage cover for a self build home – this is an additional level of cover that protects your finished home from one off accidents like those that result from DIY, for example, putting a nail through a pipe.

Insurance protection while building a home

Self build site insurance – This can protect the new and existing work on the building site from risks like fire, theft of materials, vandalism, or storm damage. 

Public liability insurance – This protects you against claims made by third parties for injuries or property damage that happens during the construction process. It is particularly important if you regularly have visitors or contractors on site.

Employer’s liability insurance – If you plan to hire workers as employees for your self build, this insurance is mandatory by law. It covers claims from employees who suffer injuries or illnesses as a result of their work.

Structural warranty – This covers your building for structural defects for a specified period, usually around 10 years. This cover could be crucial for securing mortgages, or selling the property in the future.

How to get self build house insurance cover?

This long list of insurance options can seem overwhelming at first. But Quotezone can help you compare specialist insurance products that can combine these levels of protection, and be personalised to meet your exact self-build insurance needs.

Compare public liability & tradesman insurance for self build homes

With this one insurance policy, you can tailor coverage to include:

Compare self build home insurance

With this insurance, you will have the option to include:

  • Buildings cover
  • Contents cover
  • Accidental damage cover
  • Personal possessions you take outside of the home

Comparing quotes with Quotezone

When you compare insurance with Quotezone, you are joining millions of customers in getting quick and easy comparisons across trusted UK insurers. With home insurance, we will present you with instant quotes online, with the cheapest option listed first. 

When it comes to public liability & tradesman insurance, you will be able to speak directly to a panel of specialist insurers to guarantee you are getting personalised protection before you commit. This gives you a chance to speak to professionals who can help with any questions you have.

How much does self build insurance cost in the UK?

The average cost of home insurance in 2024 is £186, according to the latest Quotezone research. Of course, this will vary depending on the specifics of your home and the coverage you want. Factors that will impact the cost of your self build home insurance include:

The type of home you build

Home insurance for detached properties comes with an average annual premium of £395, whereas semi-detached house insurance will cost £255 on average. 

Where it is located

This indicates a whole range of risks to home insurers that help them set your premiums. As you might expect, the most expensive area to insure a home in England is London, with an average cost of £289. By contrast, a home in the north east region of England will only cost an average of £158 to insure. For more details, and averages in your area, see the full guide.

Burglary rates in your area

The number of residential burglary incidents reported in the area you are building will directly affect your likelihood of making an insurance claim. This is why home insurers consider it when setting the cost of your self build insurance. 

The number of rooms in the house 

More rooms typically mean higher rebuild and content costs, which can drive up the price of your insurance. Carefully consider the size of the home you are building and how it will reflect in the ongoing price of insuring the home. 

The materials your home is made of

The cost to insure a self build timber frame house will be different to that of a brick-and-block home. Using specialist materials that cost more and are harder to source can make your home harder to insure. You might limit your options as some insurers won’t cover the building, which can drive up your insurance costs too. 

If the building work is still in progress

As you’ll understand, ongoing building work can pose risks to structures that already exist. New walls collapsing could have knock-on damage on the existing building, or construction equipment could damage the foundations that the home already rests on. 

How to compare insurance quotes for self build homes

When you are ready to insure your home, you can compare self build home insurance quotes quickly and easily at Quotezone.co.uk.

  1. Fill in a few details on our short quote form: This will ask you a few basic questions about the house, and the coverage that you want. Whether that is buildings, contents, or combined buildings and contents insurance. 
  2. Compare quotes from trusted UK insurers online: We then match your needs with policy options from over 50 insurance providers at once. Providing results in a single list so you can compare the options side by side. 
  3. Review and purchase self build insurance: Take the time to review the coverage details, exclusions, and terms of each policy. Then simply visit the provider’s website, or call them directly to complete a secure purchase. 

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Self build house insurance FAQs

How much does it cost to insure a self build timber frame house?

This will vary widely based on the size and type of the house, where it is located, the other building materials used, and if there is ongoing construction at the house. A fast way to get accurate insurance costs for your circumstances is to compare personalised quotes. You can compare self-build timber frame house insurance at Quotezone and get quotes in minutes from experienced UK insurers. 

Do I need public liability insurance for a self build?

Public liability insurance is an important investment for anyone starting a self build home. It can protect you from claims laid against you from third parties for injury or damage to others property. This is especially important if you are building in close proximity to other structures, or have frequent visitors to the site, like contractors, suppliers, or even neighbours and friends. 

Can I get insurance if I am acting as the main contractor on my self build?

If you are acting as the main contractor on your self build, you are liable for the welfare of anyone who works on the site and will need employers liability insurance by law. Without this, you will be breaking the law and can be fined £2,500 for every day you go without it. 

How much liability insurance do I need to insure a self build?

Public liability insurance can cover you financially for claims laid against you by third parties. Coverage options usually range between 1 million and 20 million pounds, but the amount you insure will depend on your build and level of risk. Be aware that this covers compensation and legal fees, which can add up to a significant amount depending on the claim you are facing. 

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