Home Insurance During Renovations UK

Why renovations affect your home insurance

Renovating your home changes its risk profile in ways standard home insurance is not designed to cover. Building work introduces hazards such as scaffolding, exposed structures, building materials on site, and unfamiliar contractors. If you fail to notify your insurer about renovation works, you risk having a claim rejected.

Most standard policies contain a material change clause requiring you to inform the insurer of significant changes, including renovation works. Failure to do so could void your cover entirely. Minor cosmetic updates like redecorating generally do not need reporting, but structural work, extensions, loft conversions, rewiring, or work affecting the roof or external walls should be disclosed.

Types of cover during renovations

• Existing home insurance with renovation endorsement: For smaller projects, your current insurer may add a note acknowledging the works, possibly with a premium increase
• Renovation insurance (site insurance): For major renovations, particularly where the property is unoccupied, covering the building, materials on site, and public liability
• Contract works insurance: Covers the building works against damage from fire, storm, theft during construction
• Public liability insurance: Essential if tradespeople will be on site. Reputable contractors should have their own, but verify before work begins

For very large projects — full gut renovations or conversions of non-residential buildings — a self-build or renovation-specific policy from a specialist insurer is usually most appropriate.

Unoccupied property risks

If you move out during renovations, standard home insurance may become invalid. Most policies define a property as unoccupied if no one has lived there for 30 to 60 consecutive days. Unoccupied properties face higher risks of undetected burst pipes, vandalism, and fire.

You need specific unoccupied property insurance or a renovation policy covering unoccupied periods. Some policies require regular property inspections every 48 to 72 hours during works.

Checking your contractor's insurance

Before any contractor starts work, verify they have adequate insurance:

• Public liability: At least £2 million, ideally £5 million or more
• Employers' liability: Legal requirement if they have employees, minimum £5 million
• Professional indemnity: Important for architects, structural engineers, and design professionals

Ask to see certificates and check expiry dates. If an uninsured contractor causes damage, you may have to claim on your own policy.

Costs of renovation insurance

• Small extensions or loft conversions (under £50,000): £300–£800 for the project duration
• Major renovations (£50,000–£200,000): £800–£2,000
• Full renovation or conversion projects (over £200,000): £2,000–£5,000 or more

Updating your policy after renovations

Once complete, update your home insurance to reflect changes. An extension or loft conversion increases the rebuild cost, and your buildings insurance sum insured must reflect this. Update contents insurance too if the renovation increased the value of items such as high-end kitchen appliances.

Get expert help with renovation insurance

A specialist broker can assess your project, arrange appropriate cover, and ensure no gaps between your existing policy and renovation insurance. Nesto can match you with experienced home insurance brokers who deal with renovation projects regularly.