Builders Risk Insurance for Residential Roofing Contractors
Builders risk insurance covers structures under construction or major renovation, including the materials and labor invested in the project, against damage from fire, wind, theft, and other covered perils. For residential roofers working on new builds or full tear-off-to-deck re-roofs, a builders risk policy protects the value of the work in progress before the homeowner's insurance takes over.
What It Covers
Builders risk covers the structure under construction, building materials on site and in transit, and installed components including decking, underlayment, flashing, and roofing materials. Covered perils typically include fire, lightning, wind, hail, theft, vandalism, and vehicle damage. If a storm destroys the partially completed roof deck and installed underlayment on a new construction home, builders risk pays for the materials and labor to rebuild. Soft costs like architect fees and permit re-filing may also be included.
What It Does Not Cover
Builders risk does not cover losses from faulty workmanship, defective materials, or design errors — though resulting damage from those causes may be covered. It excludes damage from flood and earthquake unless specifically endorsed. Employee injuries, third-party liability, existing structures not part of the renovation scope, and tools or equipment (covered under inland marine) are all excluded. Coverage terminates once the project is complete or the policy period expires.
Real Claim Examples
A severe thunderstorm with 70 mph winds tears off the partially installed roof system on a new construction home, destroying $18,000 in decking, synthetic underlayment, and staged shingle material. An arsonist sets fire to a half-framed house where your crew had just completed roof sheathing, causing $45,000 in structural damage. Thieves steal 40 squares of premium standing-seam metal panels from a job site overnight, a $32,000 loss.
How Much It Costs
Builders risk premiums for residential roofing projects typically run 1% to 4% of the total project value. A $150,000 new construction home project might carry a builders risk premium of $1,500 to $6,000 for the build period. Policies are usually written for specific project durations of 3 to 12 months. Factors include project location, construction type, security measures on site, and whether the property is in a wind or hail-prone area of Texas.
Why Work With Us for This Coverage
Residential roofers often need builders risk on short-duration projects that many carriers refuse to write as standalone policies. We connect you with carriers that offer project-specific and rolling builders risk programs designed for the rapid turnaround timelines of residential roofing, not the 18-month schedules commercial carriers assume.
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Looking for the commercial version?
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