Quick answer: Bigger jobs go to builders who look like a safe pair of hands. An Insurance Backed Guarantee is one of the clearest ways to prove it: it backs your written workmanship guarantee so the client is protected even if your company stops trading. Paired with a recognised accreditation, it gets a small firm taken seriously for the larger extensions, renovations and contracts that usually go to bigger names. Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
You’ve got the skills for bigger work. What you’re missing, in the client’s eyes, is proof you’re a low-risk choice for a large spend. That’s exactly the gap an Insurance Backed Guarantee. And the credibility around it — is built to close.
Why bigger jobs go to "safer-looking" firms
The larger the contract, the more the client worries about what happens if it goes wrong. Homeowners commissioning a major extension, and certainly professional or public-sector clients, screen for risk before price. A small firm with nothing on paper looks like a gamble. A small firm that carries recognised protection looks like a professional operation that happens to be small.
You don’t need to become a big company. You need to remove the risk signal that makes clients hesitate.
What an Insurance Backed Guarantee proves
An Insurance Backed Guarantee backs your written workmanship guarantee. If your company ceases to trade during the term, a valid claim still gets put right — subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. To a client weighing up a big job, that’s powerful: their protection doesn’t depend on your firm surviving the next decade. It’s the reassurance that lets them say yes to a smaller builder.
| What the bigger client screens for | How an Insurance Backed Guarantee answers it |
|---|---|
| “What if this small firm folds mid-contract?” | The client’s cover stands even if you cease trading |
| “Can they back up their guarantee?” | The guarantee is insurer-backed, not just a promise |
| “Are they a proper, checked business?” | Recognised accreditation and reviews say yes |
Accreditation opens the doors an Insurance Backed Guarantee helps you walk through
Recognised schemes matter here. TrustMark. The government-endorsed quality scheme — is increasingly a condition on local-authority and social-housing contracts. It requires registered businesses to provide financial protection. So the accreditation gets you onto the tender list. The Insurance Backed Guarantee is part of meeting its standard and reassuring the client. Together they turn “too small for this job” into “exactly the kind of vetted firm we want”.
Use it to win, not just to comply
Don’t hide it in the small print. Lead with it. On a tender or a big domestic quote, spell it out: “Your guarantee is insurer-backed. You’re protected even in the unlikely event my company stops trading.” That single line reframes a small builder from risky to reassuring. And it’s often the reason the bigger job comes your way.
Ready to be taken seriously for bigger building contracts?
HomePro gives small builders Insurance Backed Guarantees, recognised accreditation and a homeowner-reviewed profile. The proof bigger clients look for. Call 0800 131 0500 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or join here.
Frequently asked questions
Will an Insurance Backed Guarantee really help me win bigger contracts?
It removes the main reason clients hesitate over a smaller firm. The risk of being left stranded — by giving them insurer-backed protection. Paired with accreditation, it gets you onto tenders you’d otherwise miss.
Do I need TrustMark as well?
For council and social-housing work, often yes — TrustMark is increasingly a condition. It requires financial protection, which an Insurance Backed Guarantee provides. FairTrades is a TrustMark scheme provider.
Is it the same as a structural warranty?
No. An Insurance Backed Guarantee backs your workmanship guarantee and pays if you cease trading. A structural warranty covers the building’s structure. Big jobs may need both.
Who pays for it?
You pay the premium and build it into your price. The client is the policyholder but doesn’t pay for it separately.
Join UK installers who provide FCA-regulated Insurance Backed Guarantees with every job through HomePro. Call 0800 131 0500 or join the HomePro network today.
Disclaimer: This post is for general information only. It is not financial, legal or insurance advice. While we take care to make sure the information is accurate, scheme rules, legal requirements and third-party details can change without notice — always check the latest position with the relevant scheme or official body before acting on anything here. HomePro accepts no liability for any loss arising from errors or omissions in, or reliance on, the information in this article. Insurance Backed Guarantees are subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the individual policy.
