If you’re a handyman doing multi-trade or general construction work, you’re probably switching between jobs that look “small” on paper but carry real risk in practice: drilling into unknown walls, working in occupied homes, lifting heavy materials, using power tools, and moving between sites daily.
Handyman insurance (often grouped under tradesman insurance or construction insurance) is designed to protect you if something goes wrong—whether that’s accidental damage to a customer’s property, an injury to a third party, a claim that your work caused a loss, or theft of your tools.
In the UK, many clients (especially landlords, letting agents, facilities managers and commercial customers) will ask for proof of insurance before you start. Even when they don’t, having the right cover can be the difference between a minor mistake and a business-ending bill.
Insurers typically define handyman work as general maintenance, repair and minor improvement tasks. But the key detail is what you actually do, not what you call yourself.
A “handyman” may include:
General property maintenance
Basic carpentry and joinery (non-structural)
Painting and decorating
Flat-pack furniture assembly
Minor plumbing (e.g., replacing taps, fixing leaks)
Minor electrical tasks (often limited—see below)
Tiling and patch repairs
Plaster patching and repairs
Fitting shelves, curtain rails, TV brackets
Garden maintenance and small fencing repairs
Basic flooring work (laminate, vinyl, repairs)
A multi-trade handyman may do a bit of everything. That’s common—but it also means your insurance must be written to include all declared activities.
If you buy a policy that only covers painting and decorating, but you also do minor plumbing and tiling, you could end up with a claim dispute. The fix is simple: make sure your insurer/broker lists your full trade scope and any higher-risk activities.
Most handyman insurance packages are built from a few key covers. You can buy them individually, but many tradespeople choose a combined policy.
Public liability covers you if your work causes:
Injury to a third party (customer, visitor, neighbour)
Damage to third-party property
Example claims:
You drill through a pipe and flood a kitchen.
A customer trips over your extension lead and breaks their wrist.
Paint spills on a client’s carpet and ruins it.
For many handymen, public liability is the minimum starting point. Limits commonly range from £1m to £5m, sometimes £10m for commercial contracts.
If you employ staff in the UK—full-time, part-time, temporary, apprentices, or even some labour-only subcontractors—you usually need employers’ liability by law.
It covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill due to work.
Typical limit: £10m (standard in the UK market).
Your tools are your livelihood. Tools cover can protect against theft, loss or damage—often:
At home
In a locked vehicle
On site
In a locked container
Common exclusions to watch:
Unattended vehicles without visible forced entry
Tools left overnight in a van
Inadequate locks or security
If you rely on expensive power tools, specialist equipment, or a van full of kit, tool cover is one of the highest-value add-ons.
Contract works covers the work you’re doing and materials on site if they’re damaged by events like fire, flood, vandalism or theft.
This is especially relevant if you:
Buy materials in advance
Leave materials on site
Work on multi-day jobs
Many handymen don’t think they need professional indemnity (PI), but it can apply if you:
Provide advice that a client relies on
Specify materials or methods
Project-manage or plan works
PI covers financial loss caused by negligent advice, design, or errors in professional services.
Example claim: You advise a landlord on a repair approach that later fails, leading to loss of rent and remedial costs.
If you’re self-employed, an injury can stop your income overnight. Personal accident cover can pay a weekly benefit if you can’t work due to an accident.
It’s not the same as liability insurance—it’s about protecting you.
If you use a van for work, you’ll need the correct class of use (often “carriage of own goods” for trades). Some providers offer tradesman packages that include:
Commercial vehicle insurance
Tools in transit
Breakdown cover
“Construction insurance” is a broad umbrella term. Handyman insurance is essentially construction/trades insurance tailored to smaller-scale, multi-trade work.
The difference usually comes down to:
The risk profile of the work (minor works vs structural)
The height you work at
Whether you do hot works
Whether you do high-risk trades (roofing, gas, major electrics)
Contract size and site type
If your work crosses into higher-risk areas, insurers may reclassify you (and your premium can change). That’s normal—what matters is being correctly covered.
Insurers price and restrict cover based on risk. Here are common “rating factors” for handyman and multi-trade policies.
Many policies have conditions around ladders, scaffolding, and maximum height.
Questions you may be asked:
What’s the maximum height you work at?
Do you use scaffolding or mobile towers?
Do you do roof work?
If you regularly work above a certain height, you need to declare it.
Hot works includes tasks using heat or flame, such as:
Blowtorches
Bitumen work
Welding
Cutting/grinding that produces sparks
Hot works can significantly increase fire risk. Some policies exclude it unless specifically accepted.
Even “minor plumbing” can cause major losses. Water damage claims can be expensive, especially in flats or commercial premises.
Insurers may ask:
Do you work on pressurised systems?
Do you do bathroom/kitchen installs?
Do you do any gas work?
Electrical work is a sensitive area. Many handyman policies:
Exclude electrical work beyond basic tasks
Require qualifications for certain work
Restrict work on fixed wiring
If you do electrical tasks, be clear about what you do (e.g., replacing light fittings vs rewiring).
Most handyman policies exclude asbestos-related work. If you suspect asbestos in older properties, you should stop and follow safe procedures.
Handyman work is usually non-structural. If you remove load-bearing walls, alter structural elements, or do major building works, you’ll need a different classification.
Handyman work is full of “small” tasks that can create big claims:
Accidental damage to pipes, cables, and hidden services
Water leaks and escape of water
Fire risk from tools, charging batteries, or hot works
Injury to customers or members of the public
Damage to floors, tiles, worktops, and fixtures
Faulty workmanship allegations
Theft of tools from vans and sites
Disputes about scope, delays, and remedial work
Good insurance doesn’t replace good practice—but it gives you a financial safety net.
This depends on the insurer, but common exclusions include:
Deliberate acts or fraud
Poor workmanship rectification (the cost to redo your own work)
Wear and tear
Work outside declared trade activities
Asbestos-related claims
Certain high-risk work (roofing, gas fitting, major electrics) unless agreed
Claims arising from contractual penalties (unless specifically covered)
A key point: liability insurance often covers the damage caused by faulty workmanship (e.g., water damage), but not the cost of redoing the workmanship itself.
There’s no single answer, but here’s a practical way to decide.
£1m: Often acceptable for domestic work.
£2m–£5m: Common for landlords, letting agents, and commercial work.
£10m: Sometimes required for larger contracts or certain commercial clients.
Add up the replacement cost of:
Power tools
Hand tools
Specialist equipment
Batteries and chargers
Be realistic—underinsuring tools can reduce claim payouts.
Consider:
The maximum value of materials you keep on site
The maximum value of work in progress at any one time
If you employ, it’s usually standard at £10m.
Premiums are based on your risk profile. Expect insurers to consider:
Annual turnover
Trade scope (multi-trade vs single trade)
Claims history
Working at height limits
Use of subcontractors
Hot works exposure
Type of clients (domestic vs commercial)
Location and security (especially for tools/van)
The best way to keep premiums sensible is to be accurate and consistent about your work, and to invest in basic risk management.
Insurers like well-managed trades. These habits also protect your reputation.
Document the job scope: A simple written quote with exclusions prevents disputes.
Take photos before and after: Great evidence if a damage claim arises.
Use cable/pipe detectors: Especially before drilling.
Isolate water and electrics: When working on fittings.
Keep a tidy work area: Reduce trip hazards.
Secure tools properly: Van deadlocks, tool vaults, and not leaving tools overnight in vehicles.
Use written sign-off: Especially for landlord/agent work.
If you do regular work for landlords or agents, they may require:
Higher public liability limits
Evidence of employers’ liability (if you have staff)
Proof of tool cover (if you store tools on their sites)
RAMS (risk assessments and method statements) for certain jobs
Even if you’re a one-person business, presenting yourself professionally (insurance certificates, clear quotes, consistent paperwork) can help you win repeat work.
When you request a quote, be ready to share:
Your full trade list (everything you do)
Turnover and estimated contract values
Max height you work at
Whether you do hot works
Whether you do plumbing/electrical work and to what extent
Number of employees and subcontractors
Tool value and where tools are stored
Any previous claims
The more accurate you are, the more reliable your cover will be when you need it.
Public liability isn’t legally required in most cases, but employers’ liability usually is if you employ staff. Many clients will require public liability as a condition of hiring you.
It usually covers injury or property damage caused by your negligence, but not the cost of redoing your own work. Always check wording.
Often yes, but only if security conditions are met (locked vehicle, forced entry evidence, sometimes time restrictions). Check the policy conditions carefully.
Yes—many policies are designed for multi-trade work. The key is to declare all activities.
Tell your broker/insurer. Occasional roofing, hot works, or more complex plumbing/electrics may need to be specifically included—or excluded.
Not exactly. Builders insurance is often designed for larger projects, structural work, and higher contract values. Handyman insurance is usually tailored to smaller-scale, general maintenance and multi-trade work.
Handyman insurance is about protecting your income, your reputation, and your ability to keep trading when the unexpected happens. For multi-trade and general construction work, the right policy typically starts with public liability and then adds the covers that match how you operate—tools, contract works, employers’ liability (if needed), and sometimes professional indemnity.
If you’re unsure what you need, a specialist broker can help you match your real-world work to the right insurer appetite—so you’re not paying for cover you don’t need, and you’re not left exposed where it matters most.
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