Is My Garden Room Covered by Insurance During the Build?

Building a garden room is an exciting project that adds valuable, functional space to your property. Whether you're installing a home office, studio, gym, or guest accommodation, the process involves significant financial investment, materials, planning, and on-site construction. But as with any building project, things can go wrong—bad weather, theft, accidental damage, or even injury. That leads many homeowners to ask: “Is my garden room covered by insurance during the build?” The short answer is: it depends. In this article, we explore the nuances of insurance coverage during garden room construction, who’s responsible for what, what you need to check in your home insurance policy, and how to make sure your project is protected from day one.

Understanding the Risks During the Build

Before diving into the details of insurance, it’s important to understand what’s at risk. A garden room build typically includes foundations, structure installation, roofing, electrical works, possibly plumbing, and fitting out the interior. At each stage, several risks can arise:

Theft of building materials or tools from the site
Storm or weather damage to partially completed structures
Damage to your home, driveway, or landscaping during installation
Injury to workers or passers-by during the build
Fire, flooding, or accidental damage due to utilities or machinery

Each of these events has different implications when it comes to insurance, and responsibility may fall on you, your garden room provider, or both.

Who Is Usually Responsible for Insurance During the Build?

Most reputable garden room companies hold their own insurance to cover their activities during construction. This typically includes:

Public liability insurance (covers injury or damage to third parties or property)
Employers’ liability insurance (covers their own staff working on your property)
Contract works or contractor’s all-risk insurance (covers materials and works in progress)

This coverage protects you from being personally liable if, for example, a builder drops a tool and smashes your patio door, or a visitor trips over equipment and gets injured. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that every possible risk is covered—especially those involving your property or materials already delivered to site.

Does My Home Insurance Cover Garden Room Construction?

Your standard home buildings insurance often has exclusions for building works. Unless specifically extended, most policies will not automatically cover construction projects, particularly if:

The value of the work is over a certain threshold (e.g. £50,000)
The work involves structural changes or foundations
The project introduces new services like plumbing or electricity
You fail to notify your insurer before the build begins

Some policies might offer limited cover for outbuildings under construction, but it’s crucial to read the terms carefully. Always contact your home insurer to declare your plans. They may ask for:

Details of the contractor’s insurance
Start and end dates of the project
Confirmation that you are not managing the build yourself
Value of materials and project cost

Failing to notify your insurer can result in your policy being voided if a claim arises during the project.

What Does Contract Works Insurance Cover?

If your provider has contract works insurance, this will usually cover:

Theft of materials, fittings or fixtures prior to completion
Weather or accidental damage to the unfinished structure
Damage to tools or site equipment
Incomplete or part-installed elements such as glazing or wiring

Ask your garden room installer directly if they have this type of cover, and to what extent it applies to your specific build. It’s also worth confirming whether the cover remains in place during weekends or out-of-hours periods when the site is unattended.

What About DIY or Self-Managed Builds?

If you're managing your own build or bringing in individual trades (a common choice for cost savings), you may not have any insurance coverage unless you arrange it yourself. In that case, you’ll need to take out your own:

Public liability insurance
Contract works cover
Employers’ liability if hiring anyone directly
This approach carries more personal risk and increases the need for thorough insurance planning. Without it, any damage to your garden, home, or others becomes your financial responsibility.

Covering the Gap: Temporary Extensions or Specialist Policies

Some home insurance providers offer temporary “extension of works” policies that cover:

New structures during construction
Materials stored on site
Damage to existing buildings as a result of the works
These are usually short-term policies added to your current coverage or arranged via specialist insurers. They're ideal if you want extra protection or peace of mind during the build.

Will My Garden Room Be Covered After It’s Built?

Once the garden room is complete, you’ll need to add it to your buildings insurance policy as a permanent outbuilding. Most insurers will ask:

Is it a permanent structure with foundations?
Does it contain plumbing or electrics?
Is it heated or used year-round?
If it contains valuables or is used for work, consider extending contents insurance to cover equipment or furnishings inside the garden room. It’s also wise to keep all documentation—warranties, electrical certificates, and planning compliance—in case you ever need to make a claim or sell your home.

Real-Life Scenarios

1. Weather Damage During the Build
Heavy winds knock down part of the wall frame before the roof is installed. If your provider has contract works insurance, they’ll cover rebuilding and material replacement. Without it, you could be left footing the bill.

2. Theft of Materials
A stack of aluminium doors is delivered and left on site for installation the next day. Overnight, they are stolen. If your installer’s policy covers materials stored on-site, they’ll handle the replacement. If not, and your home insurance doesn't extend to the garden, you may face a loss.

3. Damage to Existing Landscaping
A delivery lorry cracks your resin driveway or damages your lawn. This might be covered under the garden room provider’s public liability insurance. If they don’t hold proper cover, you may have to file a claim under your own insurance—assuming it applies.

4. Worker Injury
A builder injures their hand on-site while cutting timber. Employers’ liability insurance should cover their treatment and any legal claims. If they are uninsured, the issue could escalate and you may be drawn into liability disputes.

Questions to Ask Your Garden Room Installer

Before signing a contract, ask these key questions:

Do you carry public and employers’ liability insurance?
Is contract works insurance included in my quote?
Are materials covered if stored on-site overnight?
Who is liable for damage to my home or garden during the project?
Do you use subcontractors? Are they insured?
Request written confirmation of insurance policies, including provider details and coverage limits. A professional company will be transparent and happy to provide this information.

How to Protect Yourself

Notify your home insurer of the build well in advance.
Ask your builder to confirm all insurance coverage in writing.
Consider a temporary site or extension policy if coverage gaps exist.
Avoid leaving expensive equipment or materials unsecured on-site.
Maintain communication throughout the build and document progress.
Keep a record of invoices, warranties, and certificates for future insurance claims.

Is Insurance Legally Required?

There is no legal requirement for homeowners to have insurance during a garden room build. However, any contractor hiring staff must carry employers’ liability insurance by law. Not having appropriate coverage can lead to legal complications and significant financial loss in the event of a claim. It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about safeguarding your investment and your peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Building a garden room involves more than selecting cladding and picking paint colours. It’s a construction project, and like all construction projects, it carries risk. Ensuring that insurance is in place during the build is not just wise—it’s essential. While most reputable garden room companies will carry insurance for their work and staff, it's your responsibility to make sure there are no gaps in cover, especially when it comes to your home and property. Don’t assume you’re protected—ask questions, get documents, and involve your insurer. That way, you can relax and enjoy your new garden space, knowing that you’ve protected it from day one.