INSURANCE GUIDE Bricklayer Insurance - what cover bricklayers need in 2026 |
TL;DR
- Public liability (PL) is required by most main contractors and developers before a bricklayer can work on site.
- Employers liability (EL) is compulsory for any bricklaying business with employees - minimum GBP 5 million.
- Silica dust from cutting and grinding masonry is a significant occupational health risk - COSHH controls are legally required and EL covers resultant claims.
- Accidental damage to client property during bricklaying - particularly to damp proof courses, drainage, and adjacent structures - is the most common PL claim type.
- Annual PL premiums for sole trader bricklayers typically range from GBP 130 to GBP 320.
Last reviewed: June 2026
KEY FACTS | |
| EL legal requirement | Compulsory for any bricklaying business with employees - minimum GBP 5 million |
| PL typical limit | GBP 1 million to GBP 5 million for most bricklayers; GBP 5 million minimum for commercial sites |
| Silica dust risk | Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from cutting/grinding brick or block - COSHH WEL is 0.1 mg/m3 (8hr TWA) |
| Common PL claim | Accidental damage to DPC, drainage, foundations, or adjacent structures during masonry work |
| CITB levy | Construction Industry Training Board levy applies to bricklaying businesses above a threshold turnover |
| Annual premium range | GBP 130 to GBP 320 for a sole trader; GBP 550 to GBP 1,500 for a small company |
What Is Bricklayer Insurance?
Bricklayer insurance is a package of covers for self-employed bricklayers, masonry contractors, and blocklaying businesses. Bricklaying work covers new build construction, extension and alteration work, repointing and restoration, and specialist masonry including natural stone, engineering brick, and decorative brickwork. The insurance requirements vary slightly by the type of work but the core package is consistent.
KEY FACTS
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Silica Dust: Legal Obligations and Insurance
Cutting bricks, blocks, and masonry generates respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a known cause of silicosis and lung cancer. HSE has a Workplace Exposure Limit of 0.1 mg/m3 (8-hour TWA) for RCS. COSHH Regulations 2002 require bricklaying employers to: assess RCS exposure; implement engineering controls (wet cutting, on-tool extraction, vacuum systems); provide respiratory protective equipment (RPE) where engineering controls are insufficient; and carry out health surveillance for workers regularly exposed above the WEL.
EL insurance covers claims from employees who develop silicosis or other occupational respiratory disease attributable to their work. Where the employer has failed to implement required COSHH controls, the employer may face both regulatory enforcement action from HSE and civil claims from affected workers. EL insurers assess COSHH compliance when underwriting and in the event of occupational disease claims.
Common PL Claims for Bricklayers
The most common PL claim scenarios for bricklayers involve accidental damage to the structure or services of the property being worked on or adjacent to it. Damage to damp proof courses during excavation or foundation work, accidental severance of drainage runs, damage to existing structures when tying in extensions, and mortar or masonry debris damaging adjacent vehicles or property are all typical claim scenarios. Standard PL covers these third-party property damage claims.
How Much Does Bricklayer Insurance Cost?
Annual indicative costs for 2026:
- Sole trader bricklayer, domestic and light commercial, PL GBP 2 million: approximately GBP 130 to GBP 280
- Sole trader with tools cover added: approximately GBP 200 to GBP 350
- Small limited company, 3-5 employees, PL GBP 5 million + EL: approximately GBP 600 to GBP 1,400
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the FCA. Always verify details with an FCA-authorised insurer or broker before purchasing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance to work as a bricklayer?
EL is compulsory if you have employees. PL is not legally required for sole traders but is required by most main contractors and clients as a condition of site access and contract award. Without PL insurance, most commercial work opportunities are closed.
Does bricklayer insurance cover damage to a client DPC?
Accidental damage to a damp proof course during foundation or groundwork activity adjacent to bricklaying would be covered under standard PL as third-party property damage. Deliberately cutting through a DPC or negligently bridging it during construction would be assessed differently by the insurer depending on the specific circumstances and policy wording.
What COSHH controls do I need for silica dust?
For bricklayers, the hierarchy of COSHH controls for RCS includes: using pre-cut or pre-sized materials to avoid cutting where possible; wet cutting methods that suppress dust at source; on-tool extraction with H-class vacuum; and, where residual exposure remains above the WEL, RPE (minimum FFP3 disposable mask or powered air-purifying respirator). Health surveillance (lung function testing) is required for workers regularly exposed above the WEL.
Is repointing covered under standard bricklayer insurance?
Yes. Repointing and restoration work is covered under standard bricklayer PL. Damage to adjacent masonry, windows, or cladding during repointing is a PL claim. If lime or specialist mortars are specified, confirm with the insurer that the activity description covers restoration and heritage masonry work, as some policies specify new build or general construction only.
Do I need separate insurance for each site I work on?
No. An annual bricklayer PL policy covers you for work on multiple sites throughout the policy year, subject to the activity description and any geographic limitations in the policy. Confirm that the policy covers the types of site and work you undertake - particularly for specialist or high-rise work which may require a specific endorsement.
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