If you run a painting or decorating business in London—whether as a sole trader, small team or company—your trade involves more than a paint brush and ladder. From working at height, working in occupied properties, handling costly equipment, to the risk of accidental damage in high-value homes and commercial properties, the exposures are real.
Having appropriate insurance is not just sensible, it’s critical for protecting your business, your clients, and the property-owners you work for. At Fraser Bond, we help contractors and property service providers understand the right insurance structure for their painting business and how that links into property risk, compliance and service-contract obligations.
Painting business insurance is a tailored set of cover options designed for professionals in the painting/decoration trade. Key components typically include:
Public Liability Insurance – Covers claims from third-parties (clients, visitors, neighbours) who are injured or whose property is damaged as a result of your business activities. For example, paint splatter damages a carpet, or a ladder falls in a communal hallway.
Employers’ Liability Insurance – If you employ staff (even one non-family member), this is compulsory under UK law.
Tools & Equipment / Contents Insurance – Protects your work vehicles, tools, scaffolding, and materials from theft, damage or loss.
Professional Indemnity Insurance (optional) – If you provide design advice, specification or consultancy in your painting business, this covers you against claims of negligence or professional error.
Business Interruption / Contract Works Insurance – Useful if your business is unable to trade due to insured event, or if a job needs to be redecorated because of damage.
These covers combine to provide protection for the painting business, its stakeholders and the property assets where work is performed.
London’s property market and service-contract environment create specific risk profiles:
Many of your jobs may be in high-value residential or commercial properties; even minor damage can lead to significant claims.
Works may take place in occupied buildings, multi-unit blocks or listed properties; risk of damage, disruption or liability is elevated.
Property managers, landlords or service-contracts often stipulate that tradespeople hold a minimum level of liability insurance as a contract condition.
Equipment theft, tools in transit, work at height or working in public/communal spaces increase exposure to injury or property damage claims.
For painting contractors working in London, the right insurance not only manages your risk—it also supports your credibility and ability to win work.
Here are some benchmarks and considerations for painting business insurance in the UK:
Public liability cover for painters & decorators often starts at £1 million, with many policies offering £2 m or more. Example: Some UK providers offer cover for painters starting from around £5.64/month for £2 million public liability.
Key cost drivers include: size of business, number of employees, turnover, value of tools/equipment, type of contracts (commercial vs domestic), location (London may carry premium).
Don’t assume all covers include everything: e.g., some policies exclude work at height, chemical treatments, or working in certain locations. Read policy exclusions.
Fraser Bond recommends the following steps:
Clarify your scope of work – Are you a decorator doing domestic rooms, or are you handling large commercial contracts, high-rise façades, heritage properties? The risk profile differs significantly.
Check any contractual or client requirements – If you’re hired by a property manager for a London block, they may require public liability cover of £2 m or £5 m.
Make sure the cover meets the job environment – If you work at height, on listed buildings, in public areas, ensure your cover includes those risks (and possibly specialist endorsements).
Check policy limits, excesses and wording – A low premium may come with high excess or limited cover; ensure your tools/equipment are included, and that the policy covers tools in transit.
Ensure you are compliant with UK law – If you employ anyone, you must have employers’ liability insurance.
Keep your certificate of insurance up to date – Many property managers will ask for proof of insurance before allowing you to work on their premises.
Review annually – As your business grows, takes on larger contracts, hires staff or acquires more equipment, your insurance needs evolve.
Use a specialist broker or adviser – While you can get standard quotes, a property-service aware adviser (like Fraser Bond) can help ensure you’re not under-insured or exposed to gaps in your cover.
Though Fraser Bond is known for property sales, lettings, compliance and investment advisory, we also serve contractors and service providers in the property sector. We bring:
Insight into how insurance interacts with property-asset risk, lease obligations and service-contract frameworks.
A holistic view of your business in the London property environment—so the insurance you take supports your trade and your property-contract requirements.
Support and review of documentation, proof of insurance, and compliance with property stakeholder obligations.
A strategic approach to insurance as part of your business growth plan—not just a cost item.
If you run a painting, decorating or surface-finishing business in London, make sure your insurance cover is appropriate, up-to-date and aligned with your contracts and risk profile.
Visit FraserBond.com or contact our London advisory team for tailored guidance on painting business insurance, risk review and contractor compliance.
