Plasterers Insurance
Protect your plastering business from property damage claims, tool theft and on-site injuries with cover designed for plastering professionals.
Get in touchWhat is plasterers insurance?
Plasterers insurance is a trade-specific package of cover that protects plastering professionals from the risks of working on domestic and commercial properties. It typically includes public liability, employers liability and tools cover.
Plastering involves working in clients' properties where accidental damage to furnishings, fixtures and surfaces can lead to costly claims. The right cover ensures these everyday risks do not affect your business.
Find cover options from specialist insurers who cover the plastering trade, ensuring your premium reflects the specific risks of skimming, rendering and drylining work.
Public Liability
Covers claims for property damage or injury caused by your plastering work.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone, covering workplace injury and illness claims.
Tools and Equipment
Covers your trowels, mixers, stilts and specialist plastering equipment.
Products Liability
Covers claims arising from plastering products or renders you have supplied.
Who needs plasterers insurance?
Domestic plasterers
Skimming and replastering walls and ceilings in homes
Commercial plasterers
Working on offices, shops and new-build developments
Renderers
Applying external render and decorative finishes to buildings
Drylining contractors
Installing plasterboard partitions and ceiling systems
Ornamental plasterers
Creating and restoring decorative plasterwork and cornicing
Licensing and accreditation for plasterers
Plasterers are not required by law to hold insurance, but most domestic clients and virtually all commercial contracts require proof of public liability cover. Commercial and new-build work typically demands a minimum of £1m to £2m of cover.
The Federation of Master Builders and the National Federation of Plasterers encourage members to carry insurance as best practice, though accreditation is not mandatory. Professional membership does not provide insurance cover itself.
If your work involves removing or disturbing asbestos-containing plaster or render, you must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and hold professional indemnity cover. Specialist asbestos qualifications are often required by law before you can undertake this work.
Building Regulations require plasterwork to meet fire and durability standards. Insurance does not replace your obligation to work to standard, but public liability cover protects you if your plasterwork fails and causes property damage or injury to third parties.
How much does plasterers insurance cost?
£200 – £500 per year for most sole traders; small teams with employees may pay £500 – £900 annually depending on whether they work with hazardous materials or asbestos removal
Real claims: what plasterers insurance covers
A plasterer accidentally damages electrical wiring whilst damping down and plasterboarding an interior wall, causing a short circuit that damages the client's kitchen appliances.
The policy covered the cost of rewiring by a qualified electrician and replacement of the damaged appliances. Public liability settled the claim at £4,200.
£4,200
A plasterer drops a loaded plaster mixer from scaffolding, and it lands on a parked car below, denting the roof and bonnet.
The policy covered the full cost of vehicle repair and repainting. The claim was treated as accidental damage under public liability and settled for £2,950.
£2,950
A self-employed plasterer falls from a 6-foot ladder whilst rendering the fascia of a residential property, suffering a fractured arm and unable to work for 12 weeks.
An accident cover or income protection element within the policy helped cover lost earnings during recovery. The claim totalled £3,600 in lost income and medical costs.
£3,600
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Priced for plastering work
Plastering is lower risk than many construction trades. Cecil finds insurers who recognise this and price your cover fairly.
Accidental damage covered
Working with wet plaster near client furnishings carries real risks. Cecil ensures your public liability covers accidental splashes and damage.
Quick trade-specific quotes
Tell Cecil about your plastering work and get quotes from specialist trade insurers in minutes. No lengthy forms or unnecessary questions.
Cover that grows with you
Whether you are a sole trader or managing a plastering team, Cecil finds policies that scale with your business.
Common questions about plasterers insurance
Do plasterers need public liability insurance?
Public liability is not legally required for self-employed plasterers, but most clients and main contractors expect it.
Does plasterers insurance cover damage to client property?
Yes, public liability covers accidental damage to your client's property caused by your plastering work.
Do I need insurance for external rendering work?
External rendering may be treated as slightly higher risk by some insurers. Make sure your policy specifically covers it if this is part of your services.
What level of public liability do plasterers need?
Most plasterers choose between £1m and £2m of public liability cover. Subcontract work on commercial sites may require £5m.
Is employers liability compulsory for plastering businesses?
Yes, if you employ anyone, including labourers and apprentices, employers liability is a legal requirement with minimum cover of £5m.
Do plasterers need insurance to work on new build properties?
Yes. All new-build and major refurbishment projects require contractors to carry public liability insurance. Developers typically specify a minimum of £2m cover and will ask for a certificate of insurance before you can start work.
What is the difference between skimming plaster and rendering, and does insurance cover both?
Skimming is applying a thin layer of plaster to drywall or old walls indoors; rendering is applying weatherproof plaster or render to exterior walls. Both are covered under the same public liability policy, though exterior rendering may carry a slightly higher premium due to exposure and weather-related risks.
Do plastering policies cover asbestos removal or disturbance?
Standard plastering insurance does not cover asbestos removal or disturbance. If your work involves asbestos, you must hold specific asbestos qualifications and professional indemnity cover. You cannot legally remove asbestos unless you are a licensed contractor.
How much tools cover do plasterers typically need?
Most plasterers carry between £3,000 and £10,000 of tools cover. Specialized equipment such as spray plaster rigs, scaffolding and powered trowel machines can raise this total significantly.
Is damage to plasterwork that I have applied covered if it cracks or fails?
Cracking or failure of plasterwork you have applied is generally not covered under public liability, as it is a defect in your own work rather than accidental damage. Professional indemnity insurance is available separately to cover rectification costs for poor workmanship.
Interested in Plasterers insurance?
We will be in contact when Cecil launches.