Insurance & Guarantees

1. Our Commitment to Protection

At Hampstead Renovations, we understand that undertaking a renovation project is a significant investment. That's why we maintain comprehensive insurance coverage and offer robust guarantees to protect both you and your property.

This page explains the insurance policies we hold, the guarantees we provide, and your responsibilities in protecting your investment.

2. Our Insurance Coverage

2.1 Public Liability Insurance

Coverage Amount: £5,000,000

What It Covers:

• Accidental damage to your property caused by our work
• Accidental damage to neighbouring properties
• Personal injury to you, your family, or visitors
• Personal injury to members of the public
• Damage to third-party property
• Legal costs and expenses arising from claims

Examples of Coverage:

• A tool accidentally damages your kitchen worktop
• Water damage to a neighbour's property during plumbing work
• A visitor trips over building materials and is injured
• Falling debris damages a parked car

2.2 Employers' Liability Insurance

Coverage Amount: £10,000,000

What It Covers:

• Injury or illness to our employees while working on your project
• Legal costs if an employee makes a claim
• Compensation payments to injured employees

Why This Matters to You: This insurance is a legal requirement and ensures that if one of our workers is injured on your property, you are not held liable. Never hire a contractor who cannot provide proof of Employers' Liability Insurance.

2.3 Professional Indemnity Insurance (Optional)

For projects involving design work, structural calculations, or architectural services, we can arrange Professional Indemnity Insurance covering:

• Design errors or omissions
• Negligent advice or professional services
• Breach of professional duty

2.4 Tools and Equipment Insurance

We maintain insurance covering:

• Loss or theft of our tools and equipment
• Damage to specialist machinery

This ensures we can quickly replace equipment and avoid project delays.

2.5 Insurance Verification

3. Workmanship Guarantees

3.1 Standard Workmanship Guarantee

Coverage Period: 12 months from Practical Completion

What We Guarantee:

• All work performed to industry standards and building regulations
• Free rectification of defects arising from our workmanship
• Compliance with all applicable British Standards
• Professional installation of all materials and products

Work Type	Guarantee Details
Plastering	12 months - no cracking, flaking, or delamination due to poor workmanship
Painting & Decorating	12 months - no peeling, blistering, or poor coverage (with proper maintenance)
Tiling	12 months - no loose or cracked tiles, grout failure, or water ingress
Carpentry & Joinery	12 months - no warping, gaps, or joint failures (excluding natural timber movement)
Plumbing	12 months - no leaks, drainage issues, or installation defects
Electrical Work	12 months - guaranteed compliance with Part P Building Regulations, with certification
Flooring	12 months - no lifting, gaps, or installation defects (excluding wear and tear)

3.2 Extended Guarantees for Structural Work

For major structural projects (extensions, loft conversions, basement conversions), we offer:

Option 1: Extended Company Guarantee

• Period: Up to 5 years
• Cost: Included in the contract for qualifying projects
• Coverage: Structural defects arising from our work

Option 2: Insurance-Backed Guarantee

• Period: 10 years
• Cost: Available for an additional fee (typically 1-2% of project value)
• Coverage: Structural defects even if we cease trading
• Provider: Through approved warranty providers (e.g., NHBC, Premier Guarantee, Build-Zone)
• Transferable: Can be transferred to new property owners

3.3 What Our Guarantees Do NOT Cover

To be fair to both parties, our guarantees exclude:

• Normal wear and tear: Gradual deterioration from everyday use
• Lack of maintenance: Failure to maintain works as recommended (e.g., not redecorating, not clearing gutters)
• Accidental damage: Damage caused by you, your family, pets, or third parties
• Alterations by others: Changes or repairs made by other contractors
• Natural timber movement: Seasonal expansion/contraction of wood (normal and unavoidable)
• Defective materials (not supplied by us): Client-supplied products or materials
• Changes in building regulations: Future changes to standards (work complied with regulations at the time)
• Consequential losses: Lost income, business interruption, temporary accommodation costs
• Acts of God: Flood, storm, earthquake, subsidence not caused by our work

4. Manufacturer Warranties

In addition to our workmanship guarantees, most products and materials we install come with manufacturer warranties:

Product Category	Typical Warranty Period	Coverage
Kitchen Units	5-25 years (varies by brand)	Manufacturing defects, structural failures
Kitchen Appliances	1-5 years	Mechanical and electrical failures
Bathroom Suites	10-25 years (ceramics)	Manufacturing defects, crazing, glaze faults
Taps and Showers	5-15 years	Finish defects, mechanical failures
Boilers and Heating	5-10 years (with annual service)	Parts and labour, subject to servicing
Windows and Doors	10-20 years	Frame failure, seal failure, hardware defects
Flooring (Vinyl/Laminate)	10-25 years (residential use)	Wear, fading, manufacturing defects
Flooring (Engineered Wood)	15-30 years	Structural integrity, finish defects
Paint	5-10 years (exterior), 10-15 years (interior)	Peeling, fading, coverage (applied correctly)
Roofing Materials	10-50 years (varies by material)	Manufacturing defects, weatherproofing failure

4.1 Warranty Registration

• We will register applicable warranties on your behalf (where possible)
• You will receive all warranty documentation at project completion
• We will provide care and maintenance instructions
• Keep all documentation safe - you may need it for future claims or property sales

4.2 Making a Warranty Claim

• For workmanship issues: Contact us directly
• For product defects: Contact us first - we will liaise with the manufacturer or handle the claim directly
• For appliances: You may contact the manufacturer directly, but we're happy to assist

5. Building Regulations and Certifications

5.1 Building Control Certification

For work requiring Building Regulations approval, we ensure:

• All work is notified to Building Control (local authority or approved inspector)
• Inspections conducted at key stages
• Completion certificate issued upon successful final inspection
• Certificates provided to you for your records (essential for property sales)

5.2 Electrical Certification

All electrical work is performed by Part P registered electricians and includes:

• Minor Works Certificate: For small additions (e.g., adding a socket)
• Electrical Installation Certificate: For new circuits or consumer unit changes
• Periodic Inspection Report: Condition report for existing wiring (if requested)

Certificates guarantee compliance with BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations).

5.3 Gas Safety Certification

All gas work is performed by Gas Safe registered engineers and includes:

• Gas Safe Certificate: Confirming safe installation of boilers, cookers, fires, etc.
• Boiler Benchmark Log: Commissioning record for new boilers
• Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12): For rental properties (annual requirement)

5.4 Structural Engineer Certification

For structural alterations (removing walls, extensions, loft conversions), we provide:

• Structural calculations certified by a chartered structural engineer
• Stamped drawings showing beam specifications and support requirements
• Engineer's site inspection report (if required by Building Control)

6. Your Responsibilities

6.1 Property Insurance

6.2 Maintaining Your Guarantee

To keep your guarantee valid, you must:

• Regular maintenance: Follow care instructions provided for materials and products
• Prompt reporting: Notify us of any defects within a reasonable time (not after 12 months)
• No unauthorised repairs: Do not attempt repairs yourself or engage other contractors without consulting us first
• Proper use: Use the works for their intended purpose (e.g., don't use a domestic bathroom as a commercial facility)
• Seasonal maintenance: Clear gutters, maintain seals, ventilate wet areas, etc.
• Keep records: Retain all documentation, invoices, warranties, and certificates

6.3 Annual Servicing (Where Applicable)

Some warranties require annual servicing to remain valid:

Item	Servicing Requirement
Gas Boiler	Annual service by Gas Safe engineer (warranty requirement)
Heat Pump	Annual service by qualified engineer
Mechanical Ventilation (MVHR)	Annual filter change and inspection
Solid Wood Flooring	Periodic re-oiling or re-sealing (frequency depends on use)
Windows and Doors	Annual lubrication of hinges and locks

7. Making a Claim

7.1 Workmanship Guarantee Claims

Step 1: Contact us as soon as you notice a defect

• Phone: 07459 345456
• Email: contact@hampsteadrenovations.co.uk
• Provide photos and a description of the issue

Step 2: We will respond within 48 hours

• Arrange a site visit if necessary
• Assess whether the issue is covered by our guarantee
• Provide an action plan and timeline

Step 3: We will rectify covered defects

• Free of charge for genuine workmanship defects
• Completed within a reasonable timeframe
• Minimal disruption to your home

Step 4: If the issue is not covered by our guarantee

• We will explain why (e.g., wear and tear, lack of maintenance, third-party damage)
• We can provide a quote to repair the issue on a chargeable basis
• You may be able to claim on your home insurance or manufacturer warranty

7.2 Response Times

Issue Severity	Response Time	Examples
Emergency	Same day	Water leak, gas leak, electrical hazard, structural safety risk
Urgent	Within 3 working days	Heating failure in winter, drainage blockage, security issue
Non-Urgent	Within 14 days	Minor snags, cosmetic defects, non-critical repairs

7.3 If You're Not Satisfied

If you're unhappy with our response to a guarantee claim, please see our Complaints Procedure for escalation steps.

8. Insurance-Backed Guarantees (Optional)

8.1 What Is an Insurance-Backed Guarantee?

An insurance-backed guarantee (IBG) is a policy that protects you even if we cease trading. It typically covers:

• Structural defects for 10 years
• Non-structural defects for 2 years
• Deposit protection before work starts

8.2 How It Works

1. Year 1-2: We rectify any defects (as per our standard guarantee)
2. Year 3-10: If we're no longer trading, the insurance company pays for repairs

8.3 Approved Providers

We work with these warranty providers:

• NHBC (National House Building Council) - Industry gold standard
• Premier Guarantee - Comprehensive 10-year protection
• Build-Zone - Affordable option for smaller projects
• LABC Warranty - Linked with local authority building control

8.4 Cost and Benefits

Project Value	Typical IBG Cost	Is It Worth It?
£20,000 - £50,000	£300 - £750	Optional but recommended for structural work
£50,000 - £100,000	£750 - £1,500	Highly recommended
£100,000+	£1,500 - £3,000	Strongly recommended (adds value when selling)

Benefits:

• Peace of mind for up to 10 years
• Transferable to new property owners (adds value)
• May reduce mortgage lender concerns for recent extensions/conversions
• Demonstrates quality and accountability

9. Contact and Support

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This Insurance & Guarantees information was last updated in November 2024. All insurance policies and guarantees are subject to terms and conditions. Please request full documentation for complete details.