Self Build Insurance NI

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What is Self Build Insurance NI

If you are lucky enough to own a plot of land with building permission, you will most likely wish to build your home to your exact requirements rather than buying a prebuilt house. Self build houses are a common sight in Northern Ireland with so many open spaces available and easy commutes. A self build is a big investment, and you probably wish to make sure you are covered for any potential loss during the build stage. This type of cover is different to standard home insurance as additional risk needs to be included in the policy. Some of these include:

Site insurance

Employers Liability

Plant and Machinery Own and Hired in Plant

Construction works insurance

Public Liability insurance

Self build insurance is different to standard house insurance and is classed a non-standard category of house insurance. The first step in researching the cost of self build house insurance is to get multiple quotes from a range of insurance brokers. Insurance quotes NI works in partnership with Quotezone who provide a simple form which once completed is submitted to a specialist panel of brokers.

How self build insurance is calculated and how to save money on the cost of cover

Factors like location and property security influence the cost of self build Insurance premiums. Consider these tips to lower costs:

Location: Choose areas with lower crime rates to reduce premiums

Make your self build secure: Install safety measures like smoke alarms and deadlocks to minimize risks and lower insurance expenses.

Claims Frequency: Avoid frequent claims to prevent premium increases.

Pay Annually: Opt for annual payments to avoid extra fees associated with monthly payments.

Skip small claims: Pay for minor damages out of pocket to maintain no-claims discounts.

Self Build NI Policies Available – Tailored to your requirements

These type of polices are provided by specialist insurance brokers. Each broker can make a policy tailored to your NI self build requirements, for example you may include house contents if nearing completion or if you are simply renovating an existing property,

Short or long term policies
New build or renovations
Cover available for projects that have already started
Contents Insurance if applicable

Who provides Self Build Insurance

There are several companies that provide self-build insurance. Some of the major providers include:

Aviva Self build Insurance
AXA Self build Insurance
Hiscox Self build Insurance
NFU Mutual Self build Insurance
Zurich Self build Insurance

Different Approaches to Self Build

Embarking on a 100% self build whilst rewarding will take time and energy and expertise, and for many one of the options below may be a better solution to achieving the self build goal.

Kit Home : This is by far the easiest option, you choose a design. The build will be carried out normally off site and then assembled on site by a team of professional builders and engineers.
Custom Build : In this scenario you outsource the development to a construction company, but you have control over initial design and when it is signed off the construction team will look after the building process.
Community Self Build : Find a plot of land large enough for multiple properties and a group of people that are like minded in self build goals. The advantage is that as a community you can include amenities, for example a sports hall, a playground or even a shared security monitoring system or security guards, making it a gated community. Sounds perfect, but it is difficult to get right, unless well managed.

The comparison quote service provided by Quotezone is for residential property only, not commercial. When completing the quote form include any information that makes the property non standard for example a thatched roof or a flat roof, a house build using a timber frame.

Are there any additional coverages available?

Providers of self build insurance are able to tailor your policy to meet your special self build project requirements. Examples of additional cover available include :

On site Caravans or Portakabins

Subsidence

Non-negligent liability – offers protection should the construction cause damage to surrounding property

It is important to shop around and compare quotes from different providers to find the best coverage and price for your self-build project. It is also a good idea to carefully review the policy terms and cover limits to make sure you have the protection you need.

Self build Insurance FAQ Section

How much does self build insurance cost?

Self build insurance cost will depend on the kind of house that you are building, the type of build materials and potential risks associated with the location of the building site. A good policy could provide benefits up to £10 million, so in comparison to the benefits offered the cost can be thought of as reasonable.

Will self build home insurance NI cover stolen building materials?

Yes, building insurance polices are available that will provide cover for theft from the building site. However, check the conditions, as this cover will normally only cover the building site if you have the site properly secured. This may involve erecting fencing with insurer approved locks and installing CCTV come. For exact qualifying conditions, you will need to refer direct with the policy provider.

What should self-build insurance cover?

A good self-build policy should be tailored to protect the full cost of your project, materials, fixtures and fittings, along with a good level of public liability insurance. The panel can also extend site insurance to cover tools, machinery or Hired in Plant on site.

Is Self Build and New Build Insurance the same thing?

Yes, these terms basically refer to the same thing, that is building a new house, but cover is also available for a major renovation project on an older cottage that needs to be modernised.

Does the type of Self build NI property matter?

No, provided the property is residential rather than commercial, you should be able to find a suitable self build home insurance policy to protect it.

However, one thing to bear in mind is that if the property is out of the ordinary in some way (if it is going to have a flat roof, for instance, or is being constructed with a timber frame) then you will need to let your insurance provider know about that, and it is possible some insurers might hike the premium or refuse to insure you.

Does the policy cover vandalism of building materials?

A good self build insurance policy will protects your building materials against physical loss or damage which is caused by accidental damage, fire, storms, floods, theft or vandalism. As with all elements of cover, check for conditions that apply, as you will be expected to provide a decent level of building site security

Will the Builder’s warranty provide sufficient cover?

The builder’s warrant may have limitations, for example it may only offer cover after the building is completed, which would leave you uninsured during the self build stage. The builder’s cover is normally limited to negligence on the builder’s side. So in the event of a storm or flood that destroys or damages your new build home, you may again be left uninsured.

Updated: 13 June 2025
Reviewed by Eamonn Turley Insurance Expert