For Renovations / Conversions / Refurbishments / New Builds
It has been announced loud & clear by Government and its respective departments that bringing older disused Derelict & Vacant properties back into the rental market is a PRIORITY under the current Housing for All plan.
Key Government support initiatives and grants, introduced some time ago, have now been extended to 2030. The primary focus is to entice owners and investors to repurpose older, disused, vacant or derelict properties—including converting former commercial or retail spaces into residential lettings—by offering significant renovation / conversion grants and streamlining planning regulations.
These supports include;
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund)
Vacant “Above the Shop” & “Buy To Renew” Schemes (2026)
Planning Exemptions for vacant commercial conversions to residential
Question:
But how is this all going to work IF owners cannot get adequate insurance cover for such investment related renovations or conversions. It’s a major risk exposure for the property owner / property investor.
FACT – DID YOU KNOW:
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- A Builders insurance does NOT cover the existing building before, during or after the renovation works – it only covers NEW building works!
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- A Vacant Property or Landlord / Property Owners insurance policy generally EXCLUDES damage caused to the building as a result of renovation works caused by workmen / builders.
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- A Direct Labour renovation project REQUIRES employer’s liability cover for directly appointed labourers, labour-only tradesmen and other workmen on site who are appointed by YOU the property owner.
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- Just because a directly appointed tradesman or project manager has his own public liability cover, it doesn’t cover him if he gets injured on your site…that’s your responsibility to cover him!
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- A Builders insurance will NOT cover any direct labour or labour-only tradesmen appointed directly by YOU the property owner. Only YOU can do this. A Builder will only cover their own employees or subcontractors appointed by them. Often direct labour/tradesmen appointed by you come in at the tail-end of the project and have nothing to do with the builder at all. Is this a direct labour renovation with a project supervisor or project manager appointed by you?
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- A Builder of course has their own construction Public Liability insurance to cover their legal liability on site. So, if they cause the building to burn down during the works, yes you can sue them under their public liability insurance for damage to your property. But how long will that take? Likely a very long time (even years) as you have to prove them negligent via the legal process. Their Insurer will fight it tooth & nail. In the meantime, your damaged & unfinished renovation project shuts down!
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- As the Project Employer, ultimate legal liability for site health and safety rests with you, remaining unaffected by the appointment of a builder or a Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS).
THE SOLUTION:
RENOVATE TO LET SELF-BUILD Renovation / Conversion Insurance for Property Owners and Investors who wish to Re-Let as residential.
Policy can Include:
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- Cover for the existing building before, during & after the works including damage caused accidentally as a result of the works (subject to building condition acceptance criteria)
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- Employer’s Liability for all directly appointed labourers, labour-only tradesmen and workmen
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- Contingent Public Liability cover for appointed Builders / Contractors (should the builders insurance fail to indemnify you)
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- Public Liability ‘site cover’
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- Property Owners Liability
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- All Risks cover for all new works and building materials
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- 6 / 12 / 18 / 24 month’ cover period options
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- Indemnity to Bank / Lender
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- Facility Agreement compliance
ALL UNDER ONE POLICY with an A-Rated mainstream Irish based Insurer
RENOVATE TO LET SELF-BUILD Insurance Appetite
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- Over the Shop conversions / renovations
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- Public House conversion to Residential incl. Retail
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- Protected / Period / Pre-63 conversions / renovations
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- Buy To Let / HMO / Shared Accommodation conversions / renovations
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- Apartment Unit / House Refurbs e.g. 3-6mth internal modernisation works
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- Ground Up Investment New Builds & Extensions (residential / commercial)
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- Conversion of older/period/pre-63 houses back to PDH
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- Commercial Property renovations / conversions
This SELF-BUILD for INVESTORS insurance package is new and unique to the investment property market and has the backing of A-Rated Irish based Insurers with proven home-based claims team handling.
For further information about Self Build Insurance, please visit the following webpage: RENOVATE TO LET SELF-BUILD INSURANCE
For Further Information about the Government schemes, please click here:
Every project is different, so it is advisable to arrange appropriate cover before works commence. A gap in cover may only become apparent after a loss occurs.
Need advice on a vacant property renovation project? Contact S.A. Faughnan (Brokers) Ltd. to discuss your specific requirements.
Our All-in-one package is designed to protect all aspects of your renovation project.
Click Get A Quote link below and let’s get started & turn this around quickly FOR YOU
Get A Renovation Insurance Quote
Or
CALL US NOW (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Ashtown Business Centre,
Navan Road, Dublin 15.
T: 01 824 5555
S.A. Faughnan (Brokers) Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.