Is your builder insured in Newcastle City Council? — the questions and the proof
The short answer: ask for the public liability insurance certificate (and contract-works insurance on big jobs) before signing — named insurer, policy number, expiry. A builder who won't show one is telling you how a claim against them ends.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
What to ask, exactly
1. "Please send your current public liability certificate" — it shows insurer, limit (typically £1m–£5m), expiry. 2. For structural work: "Is contract works insurance in place while the job runs?" 3. "Does your policy cover subcontractors you bring?" 4. Cross-check the firm itself: Companies House (the company check) and scheme membership (TrustMark, FMB).
Why it matters in Newcastle City Council
If damage happens (a floods-through-the-ceiling during a bathroom job), insurance is often the fastest recovery route — sometimes faster than court. If they are uninsured, your claim runs through the ordinary civil route against the firm: money-back route map.
Independent information directory — not legal advice.
Source: https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/business-and-commerce/business-commerce/trading-standards (verified 2026-09-03).
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.