Why do bathroom and kitchen fitters need insurance?
An employee injury
While your labourers help to fit a client’s new kitchen, a particularly awkward unit proves hard to shift. The result is an employee injuring their back. Their GP diagnoses them with a slipped disc and says they need to stay off work until it heals.
If your employee claims they weren't given the correct training, they might take legal action for compensation. Employers’ liability insurance is typically required by law if you employ staff. Even if these are casual workers or labour-only sub-contractors.
You burst a pipe
When installing a new bathroom sink at a client’s property, you accidentally burst a pipe. The water damage to your client’s home is extensive and will cost a substantial amount. While you fix up as much as you can, the customer remains unhappy, and threatens to sue.
If they choose to seek compensation, public liability insurance could prove useful. It can help with compensation and legal costs you may have to pay.
Failing power tools
Your trusty hand-powered router has helped you shape the wood on some beautiful custom kitchens. So, when it packs up halfway through a project it’s catch 22. You can’t quite cover the cost of replacing it until you get paid for this job. And you can’t finish this job until you replace it.
With equipment breakdown insurance, you can relax. It’ll help to cover you for the cost of replacing your malfunctioning router, so you can finish the job as agreed – and create a perfect finish to your client’s woodwork.
What insurance is available for bathroom and kitchen fitters?
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is for people who work around members of the public. It can help to cover compensation and legal costs if someone claims they’ve suffered an injury or damage to their property because of your work.
As a kitchen or bathroom fitter you’ll be working among the public most of the time. PL insurance can help to mitigate the risk if someone takes you to court over an injury or property damage. Whether it’s in someone’s home or a busy office block.
Employers’ liability insurance
If you employ staff then you’re required under UK law to have employers’ liability insurance (external link). Even if it’s one person, or they’re labour only sub-contractors or temporary staff. If an employee is injured or falls ill through their work, EL cover can help pay compensation.
Fitting kitchens and bathrooms can be more than a one-person job. So, if you employ other bathroom fitters, you’ll likely need EL insurance. If they fall off a ladder and hurt their back, for example, it can help with the costs of defending yourself or settling claims.
Equipment breakdown insurance
If one of your tools malfunctions, you could be covered for the cost of replacing it with equipment breakdown insurance. So, if your tile cutter has suffered a mechanical breakdown or malfunction that has left it broken, it’d be equipment breakdown cover.
If, on the other hand, the tool is broken because of external physical damage, such as it being dropped or hit by something, you’d need tool insurance, technically known as property away and in transit cover. This cover may also support you if tools are lost or damaged on the move.
Some kitchen or bathroom fitters, when considering insurance, may decide to include other covers. For example, cyber and data, legal protection and commercial property insurance.
Contact us to talk through the options.
If you’re not sure what you need, tell us a little more about your kitchen or bathroom fitting business.
Build my coverInsurance for bathroom and kitchen fitters: FAQs
Should a bathroom fitter have insurance?
If a bathroom fitter employs someone, they will likely be legally required to hold employers’ liability insurance. You may also choose to take out public liability insurance in case a member of the public is injured or their property damaged through your work.
Is a bathroom fitter a plumber?
A bathroom fitter isn’t a plumber. However, some fitters may also be able to do plumbing work. Likewise, some plumbers may also be able to fit bathrooms. While the job roles slightly overlap, both will need similar levels of insurance for effective cover.
If your work covers both fitting and plumbing work, contact us to check what cover is available for each trade. If you tell us you undertake work that involves electrical or gas installation or appliance work, we’ll ask whether you hold a nationally recognised qualification for that. For example, being on the Gas Safe Register (external link) or the Competent Person Electrical Register. We’ll likely need to see this evidence to show you’re qualified for each aspect of your services.
Do you legally need public liability?
Public liability insurance isn’t a legal requirement for business owners. But many clients will insist you’re covered before you can start work. It can be a condition of a contract, especially in the public sector. Also, if you want to join a trade association or body, they may require a minimum level of PL cover for their members.
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