Yorkshire firms planning to have building work done are being warned to get covered.

The National Federation of Builders Businesses in Yorkshire has launched a tailor-made insurance scheme for businesses wanting improvement work done.

The "Benchmark Builder" guarantee scheme is exclusive to members of the trade organisation, which represents more than 750 reputable contractors and builders in the region and has strict membership criteria covering workmanship, financial status and health and safety, as well as a binding Code of Conduct.

The scheme, which covers the cost of correcting any defects for periods of up to 20 years, is designed to protect businesses from litigation that can arise during or after building work.

It can also cover manufactured items such as joinery and double glazing units and can pay out if contracts are left half finished or if the contractor becomes insolvent.

Douglas Kell, who is based at the National Federation of Builders' regional headquarters in Leeds, said: "We're here to help businesses make an informed choice when selecting a builder - and insurance is an important consideration that's often overlooked.

"The problem is, many companies are their own worst enemy and make the common mistake of calling in a rogue builder for cash-in-hand jobs, thinking they're saving money on VAT. This type of builder rarely has appropriate insurance cover and, when things go wrong, repair work can be very costly. What's more - it's usually the client who foots the bill.

"For a modest premium, the "Benchmark Builder" guarantee provides that extra peace of mind by offering protection against this kind of eventuality for up to 20 years after work is completed.''

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