Why insurance matters when hiring a cabinet maker
A good cabinet maker can transform a kitchen, laundry, wardrobe, or bespoke storage space. But cabinetry work also involves risk: power tools, fixings into walls, finishes and adhesives, heavy panels, on-site measurements, delivery, and sometimes coordination with builders, electricians, plumbers, and kitchen installers.
If something goes wrong, insurance can be the difference between a manageable hiccup and a costly dispute. For NZ homeowners, the key point is simple: **insurance protects you only if the tradesperson has the right cover, and it is current at the time of the work**.
Cabinet making is usually not a licensed trade in the way electrical or plumbing work is, but that does **not** mean insurance is optional. In fact, because a lot of cabinetry work is done in homes, on-site, and around other trades, it is wise to treat insurance as a basic hiring requirement.
The main types of insurance a cabinet maker should carry
Not every cabinet maker will have every policy below, but these are the most relevant ones to ask about.
| Insurance type | What it covers | Why it matters to you | |---|---|---| | Public liability insurance | Injury to other people and damage to property caused by the business | Protects you if the cabinet maker accidentally damages floors, walls, appliances, or a visitor is injured | | Contract works insurance | Damage to the job while it is being worked on | Useful if cabinetry, benchtops, or installed components are damaged before completion | | Tools and equipment insurance | Theft or damage to the tradesperson’s tools | Helps them keep working if tools are stolen from a vehicle or site | | Vehicle insurance | Business vehicles used for transport and deliveries | Relevant if cabinets, materials, or equipment are being moved to your property | | Professional indemnity insurance | Claims arising from design, measurement, or advice errors | Important if the cabinet maker provides design drawings, plans, or specifications | | Employer’s liability / workers compensation-type cover | Injury to employees or subcontractors, where applicable | Matters if the business employs staff; helps reduce the risk of workplace injury issues impacting your project |
Public liability: the most important cover for homeowners
If you ask only one question about insurance, ask about **public liability insurance**.
This cover is designed to respond if the cabinet maker causes:
- accidental damage to your home or contents - injury to someone visiting the property - damage to a neighbour’s property during the work
Examples include:
- a router or drill scratching a polished floor - a sheet of cabinetry damaging a wall, doorframe, or stairwell during delivery - adhesive, sealant, or spray finish causing damage beyond the intended work area - a client or visitor slipping over tools or debris left in a walkway
For homeowners, this is the most practical protection because cabinet work often happens inside the home, around finished surfaces and occupied spaces. Ask for the level of cover, the insurer, and any exclusions. A policy with a low limit may not be enough for a high-value kitchen or renovation.
Contract works insurance: helpful during installation
Contract works insurance covers damage to the work itself while it is under construction or installation. Depending on the policy, it may cover events such as fire, theft, vandalism, storm damage, or accidental damage before the job is complete.
Why this matters:
- cabinetry is often custom-made and expensive to replace - damage can happen between workshop and installation, or after partial installation - a kitchen fit-out may be part of a wider renovation with other trades moving through the space
You should ask whether the cabinet maker’s policy covers:
- items in the workshop before delivery - items in transit - items already installed at your property - subbies or other contractors working near the cabinetry
If the cabinet maker says you need to arrange the cover instead, get that clarified in writing before work starts.
Design and measurement errors: when professional indemnity matters
Not every cabinet maker offers design services, but many do. If they are producing drawings, taking site measurements, or advising on the layout and fit of cabinetry, **professional indemnity insurance** is worth asking about.
This type of insurance can help with claims relating to:
- incorrect measurements - design mistakes that make cabinetry unusable or not fit the space - specification errors that lead to extra labour or material costs - advice that results in rework
This is especially relevant in NZ homes where rooms may not be square, older houses can have uneven walls or floors, and renovations often need careful on-site adjustment. A measurement error can quickly become expensive if benchtops, appliances, or built-in storage need remaking.
What insurance does not replace
Insurance is important, but it is not a substitute for due diligence. It will not fix poor workmanship, and it may not cover every problem.
For example, insurance may not respond to:
- defective work that must simply be redone - wear and tear or poor maintenance after completion - deliberate damage - issues caused by work outside the scope of the contract - excluded materials, processes, or subcontractors
That is why homeowners should still:
- get a written quote - agree on the scope, materials, and timeline - check whether consent or specialist trades are needed - keep copies of contracts, invoices, and specifications
NZ regulations: insurance is only one part of hiring safely
Cabinet making itself is generally not a restricted trade, but cabinet installation can involve other regulated work.
Be aware of the following:
- **Electrical work** must be carried out by, or under the supervision of, a suitably authorised person and is regulated by the **Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB)**. - **Plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying** are restricted work under the **Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB)**. - **Building work** may require a **building consent from your local council**, especially where structural changes, waterproofing, or significant kitchen alterations are involved.
If your cabinet maker is coordinating with an electrician to relocate power points, or with a plumber to move a sink or dishwasher, make sure each trade is properly qualified and insured. Don’t assume one tradesperson’s insurance covers another trade’s work.
How insurance protects you in real-life situations
Here are a few common scenarios where a cabinet maker’s insurance can matter:
- **Damage to finished surfaces:** A heavy cabinet section scratches polished concrete, timber flooring, or new plaster. - **Water damage:** A plumber disconnects a sink area, or a cabinet is installed near a leak and the cabinetry is damaged. - **Transport damage:** Custom joinery is damaged while being delivered from the workshop to your home. - **Third-party injury:** A delivery person, neighbour, or visitor trips over materials on-site. - **Design error:** A cabinet doesn’t fit because the measurements were wrong and a section must be remade.
Without insurance, disputes can become stressful and slow to resolve. With suitable cover, there is at least a formal process for handling the claim.
How to check a cabinet maker’s insurance before you hire
Do not rely on a verbal assurance that the business is “fully insured”. Ask for proof.
Request:
- the **type of insurance** held - the **name of the insurer** - the **policy number** - the **expiry date** - the **cover limit** (for example, $1 million, $2 million, $5 million, or more) - any major **exclusions** that may affect your job
A legitimate tradesperson should be used to providing this information.
Good questions to ask
- Does your public liability cover apply to work inside occupied homes? - What is the maximum cover amount per claim? - Does your policy cover subcontractors and employees? - Are cabinets covered while they are in your workshop, in transit, and after installation? - Do you have professional indemnity cover for design or measurement advice? - Will you provide a current certificate of currency?
If the job is substantial, ask for the certificate of currency **before** paying a deposit.
What to look for in the paperwork
A certificate of currency is usually the easiest proof to request. Check that:
- the business name matches the quote or contract - the policy is current for the whole period of the work - the policy limit is suitable for the value and complexity of your project - the location or type of work is not excluded - subcontractors are covered if they will be used
If anything looks vague, ask the cabinet maker to explain it in plain language. If they cannot, consider getting another quote.
Why the cheapest quote is not always the best value
In a cost-conscious market, it is tempting to choose the lowest price. But if one quote is much cheaper than the others, it can be a sign that the business is cutting corners on:
- insurance - site protection - quality of materials - labour time - project management
For NZ homeowners, a cheaper quote can become expensive if there is damage, rework, or a dispute. When comparing quotes, look at the whole package: insurance, references, workmanship, timeframe, and what is actually included.
Practical steps before the job begins
Before you sign anything, make sure you:
- get at least **two or three written quotes** - confirm who is doing the work: the cabinet maker, employees, or subcontractors - check whether electrical, plumbing, or building consent issues apply - ask for a written scope, including materials, finishes, and installation details - confirm insurance and keep a copy of the certificate of currency - agree on payment stages and the size of any deposit - take photos of the area before work starts, especially existing damage
If the job is being done during winter, allow for possible delays from damp conditions, slower drying times for finishes, or weather affecting deliveries. Good planning can reduce avoidable claims and disputes.
The bottom line
Yes — your cabinet maker should be insured. At a minimum, look for public liability cover, and ask whether they also carry contract works and professional indemnity insurance if they design, measure, or install custom cabinetry.
Insurance does not guarantee a perfect outcome, but it does help protect your home, your wallet, and your peace of mind if something goes wrong. For best results, compare written quotes, check qualifications for any related regulated work, and always ask for proof of current cover before the project starts.