Existing buildings under renovation
Residential and commercial buildings undergoing structural or non structural renovation, for the building owner or the contractor performing the work.
Builders Renovation Insurance in California
Renovating an existing building, covered in days not weeks. Start a quote in minutes and a licensed California broker shops the renovation markets for you.
We shop the market for you, no broker fees
Eight relevant markets are shown for comparison. Availability depends on the risk and location, and a logo does not imply a direct appointment.
Green Shield
Structural renovation of existing buildings, to $5M by market
Alchemy
Renovation and remodel projects
Blitz
Builders risk with existing-structure options
BTIS
Builders risk marketplace
Builders Mutual
Construction and renovation programs
Travelers
Construction property and renovation
Chubb
Construction property
Great American
Builders risk programs
What the renovation market writes in California
Projects to $5 million by market
Terms and extensions vary by market. One program offers 3, 6, 9 and 12 month terms extendable to 18, with the renovation cost scheduled alongside the existing building limit.
The structure's condition decides the route
Condemned or scheduled-for-demolition buildings are outside the current programs. Contractor licensing and who performs the work vary by market, so the broker routes those answers instead of applying one program's gate to all.
Renovation-specific coverages
Replacement cost option on the existing building, theft of building materials, vandalism and malicious mischief, second story additions, post loss repair work, and project starts.
How it works
10 minute form
A few questions about your business or home.
We shop the market
We compare carriers and read the forms line by line.
Quote and bind
We pick the best policy and get you covered.
A renovation is not a builders risk new build
A building under renovation is two risks in one: the existing structure and the work. Insuring them as one number, or on the wrong form, is how a mid-renovation loss turns into a coverage dispute.
Two values, one policy
The existing building and the renovation work are scheduled separately because they settle differently at claim time. The split is the quote.
Materials theft is the common claim
Job sites get stripped, and standard property policies exclude materials waiting to be installed. Renovation forms schedule theft of building materials as its own coverage.
The term has to outlast the job
Renovation terms run 3 to 12 months and extend to 18. A policy that lapses before the certificate of occupancy is a gap the lender and the contractor both notice.
Written for California renovation projects, including:
- Structural renovations of existing buildings
- Non structural remodeling and repair
- Residential and commercial properties
- Second story additions
- Repair of existing damage after a loss
- Modular homes by review
What changes your premium
These details help insurers assess your business and price the coverage. Terms and available options vary by insurer.
- Existing building value and declared project cost
- Whether work is structural and who performs it
- Construction type and age of the building
- Roof age bands and protection class
- Term in months, extendable to 18
Questions we get asked
Is renovation insurance different from builders risk?
It is builders risk written for an existing building rather than a new build. The existing structure and the work are scheduled separately because they are covered differently, where a new build has only the one value.
Who buys it, the owner or the contractor?
Either can, and the program asks whether work is performed by a licensed contractor and whether it is structural, because those two answers drive eligibility more than anything else.
How long can the policy run?
Terms of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and the policy can be extended up to 18 months for extensive projects.
Are building materials covered against theft?
Yes, theft of building materials is a scheduled coverage on the renovation form, which is the most common mid-project loss.
Can a second story be added under this policy?
Yes, second story additions are explicitly written, along with repair of existing damage and projects that have already started.
Can you write this where my business is?
We are currently licensed in California only. Start a quote if the business or risk is in California, and we will confirm eligibility before you spend time on it.
What happens after I start a quote?
Tell us about the coverage you need and complete the application. We use those details to approach suitable markets and may ask follow-up questions. Requesting a quote does not put coverage in force.
Ready to compare your coverage options?
Start your application online, or talk with a licensed broker about your situation.