What is Renovation Insurance?
Renovation insurance is specialist insurance cover designed for homeowners undertaking building works, extensions, or structural alterations to their property.
Many standard home insurance policies either restrict or exclude cover once certain types of renovation work begin. This means homeowners may face significant financial risk if damage caused by fire, flood, theft, storm damage, water leaks, or accidental damage occurs during the project.
A specialist renovation insurance policy helps ensure both the existing structure and the building works project are appropriately protected throughout the renovation.
What Does Renovation Insurance Cover?
These policies are designed to provide comprehensive protection during home renovations and building work projects.
Existing Structure Cover
Protects the original building and existing structure while renovation work is taking place.
This can include protection against:
- Fire
- Flood
- Storm damage
- Water leaks
- Theft
- Accidental damage
- Structural issues
This is particularly important where parts of the property may become exposed during works.
Contract Works Cover
Contract works insurance protects the value of the renovation project itself, including:
- Building materials
- Labour costs
- Temporary works
- Fixtures and fittings
- New kitchens and extensions
This cover helps protect the money invested into the renovation should damage occur before completion.
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability cover protects homeowners and contractors against claims from third parties for injury or property damage caused during the building works project.
This can include claims arising from:
- Damage caused to neighbouring properties
- Injury to visitors
- Falling debris
- Site access incidents
Public liability insurance is a key part of renovation protection, particularly for projects involving contractors and structural works.
Optional Additional Covers
Depending on the project, policies can also include:
- Non-negligence liability
- Terrorism cover
- Contents insurance
- Hired equipment cover
- Legal protection
- Unoccupied property cover
- Extension cover
When Do You Need Home Renovation Insurance?
Renovation work may invalidate a standard home insurance policy or increase the level of risk significantly. Here’s when you might need dedicated renovation insurance in place:
Projects over £75,000 including VAT
Many insurers impose restrictions where building work exceeds £75,000 including VAT. In some cases, your standard home insurance cover may no longer apply once the project reaches this value.
Structural Alterations
Projects involving structural works often carry increased risks, including potential structural issues, collapse, fire, or damage to neighbouring properties.
Examples include:
- Loft conversions
- Rear extensions
- Removing load-bearing walls
- Basement excavations
- Roof replacement projects
JCT Contract Requirements
If you are using a JCT (joint contracts tribunal) contract or separate contract with a builder or contractor, joint names insurance may be required.
Many standard insurers cannot provide cover where joint names requirements apply, making specialist renovation insurance essential.
Unoccupied Properties
If the property will be unoccupied during the renovation project, your standard home insurance may be restricted or voided entirely. Specialist insurers can provide protection for unoccupied properties while works are ongoing.
Why Choose Ellis David?
Personalised Advice & Support
From your first enquiry, a dedicated member of our experienced team will assess your renovation project, understand your requirements, and recommend suitable insurance cover tailored to your property and building works.
Access to Specialist Insurers
We work with a comprehensive panel of insurers experienced in renovation insurance, home insurance cover renovations, and high-value property projects.
Our relationships with underwriters help us arrange policies offering:
- Comprehensive cover
- Competitive pricing
- Specialist claims support
- Flexible protection for complex projects
Ongoing Commitment Throughout Your Project
Our support continues throughout the renovation process – not just at policy inception or renewal.
Whether your project changes in value, timelines shift, or additional works are added, we can help update your policy and ensure the right protection remains in place.
Trusted Partner Network
Over many years, we have developed relationships with trusted professionals who support our clients throughout renovation and property projects, including:
- Surveyors
- Valuers
- Security specialists
- Leak detection companies
- Mortgage providers
- Building professionals
Why Specialist Renovation Insurance Matters
Without the right cover in place, homeowners could face significant costs if something goes wrong during building works.
For example:
- A fire damages the property mid-project
- Water leaks affect neighbouring homes
- Building materials are stolen from site
- Structural works cause damage to the existing building
- Contractors’ insurance proves insufficient
Specialist renovation insurance helps provide the right protection for both the property and the works themselves.
How To Get A Quote With Ellis David
If you are planning home renovations, structural alterations, or a major building works project, our experienced team can help you arrange the right renovation insurance for your property.
Call 0203 925 6488 or complete the contact form below and one of our specialists will be in touch.
Tell us what you need
Send a few details and one of our advisers will come back to you.
Home Renovation Insurance: FAQs
Does standard home insurance cover renovations?
Standard home insurance may provide limited cover for minor decorating or painting works, but many policies will restrict or exclude cover for larger home renovations, structural works, extensions, or projects over a certain value. It is important to notify your insurers before any building work begins.
What is covered under renovation insurance?
Renovation insurance can provide cover for the existing structure, contract works, building materials, public liability, accidental damage, theft, fire, flood, and other risks associated with renovation projects. Optional covers may also include legal protection and hired equipment.
Do I need public liability insurance for building work?
Yes. Public liability insurance is highly recommended for renovation projects as it helps protect against claims for injury or damage caused to third parties during building works. This is particularly important where contractors, scaffolding, or structural alterations are involved.
What is joint names insurance under a JCT contract?
Joint names insurance is often required under a JCT contract to ensure both the homeowner and contractor are protected under the same insurance policy during the building works project. Many standard home insurance policies cannot accommodate these requirements.
Will renovation insurance cover unoccupied properties?
Yes. Specialist renovation insurance can provide cover for unoccupied properties while renovation work is taking place. This is important because many standard home insurance policies restrict cover once a property becomes unoccupied for a certain period.
Can I get cover even if the work has started?
Yes, in many cases insurers can still provide renovation insurance even if building work or home renovations have already started. However, the level of cover available will depend on the stage and nature of the renovation project, the value of the works, and whether there have been any previous claims or incidents on site. It is important to arrange cover as early as possible to ensure your property and investment are properly protected throughout the project.
How much does renovation insurance cost?
The cost of renovation insurance depends on several factors, including the rebuild cost of the property, the value of the building works project, the type of renovation work taking place, project duration, contractor experience, and whether the property will be unoccupied. Structural works, loft conversions, extensions, and higher-risk projects may increase premiums due to the increased risks involved.
Can I get insurance for renovating a non-standard property?
Yes. Specialist insurers can often provide cover for non-standard properties undergoing renovation work, including listed buildings, period homes, timber-framed properties, converted buildings, and properties with unusual construction materials. Because these projects can involve higher rebuild costs and specialist repair requirements, it is important to arrange the right insurance policy tailored to the property and renovation project.


