When hiring a painter in New Zealand, checking their insurance is just as important as checking their references. While there is no single law that sets a mandatory minimum for painters' public liability insurance, the widely accepted industry standard is at least $1 million, with $2 million or more now considered best practice for most residential and commercial painting work.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance protects you — the homeowner — and the painter if something goes wrong during the job. If a painter accidentally damages your property (say, spills paint on your new carpet or knocks over a ladder that breaks a window), or if a third party is injured as a result of the work, this insurance covers the cost of claims and legal fees. Without it, you could be left chasing the painter personally for compensation, which is a stressful and often fruitless exercise.
It is worth noting that public liability insurance is separate from ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). ACC covers personal injury to New Zealanders, but it does not cover property damage or third-party claims — that is exactly where public liability steps in.
What Level of Cover Should a NZ Painter Carry?
There is no regulation under the NZ Building Code that specifies a dollar figure for painters' public liability insurance. However, industry norms and the expectations of many property managers, body corporates, and main contractors point to the following general guide:
| Job Type | Recommended Minimum Cover |
|---|---|
| Small residential repaint | $1 million |
| Standard residential (full exterior/interior) | $2 million |
| Multi-unit, body corporate, or commercial | $2 million–$5 million |
| Large commercial or industrial | $5 million+ |
These are broad guides only — always confirm requirements with your insurer, body corporate, or main contractor, as their requirements may differ.
Why $2 Million Is Increasingly the Norm
Property values across New Zealand have risen significantly, meaning even a moderate incident — a fire started by heat-gun use, or water damage from pressure washing — could easily result in a claim well above $1 million on a higher-value home. Many professional painters and painting companies now carry $2 million as a baseline, and some insurers and trade associations recommend this as the sensible minimum for any tradesperson working on residential property.
Consumer NZ advises homeowners to always ask for proof of insurance before any tradesperson starts work — this applies equally to painters.
Other Insurance a Painter Should Have
Public liability is the headline cover, but a professional painter may also carry:
- Tools and equipment insurance — covers their gear if it is stolen or damaged on site
- Statutory liability insurance — covers fines and legal costs if they accidentally breach a law (such as a WorkSafe regulation)
- Employers' liability insurance — required if they have employees, covering claims from workers not fully covered by ACC
- Professional indemnity — less common for painters, but relevant if they provide colour consulting or specification advice
For health and safety obligations on site, painters must comply with WorkSafe NZ requirements, particularly around working at height, hazardous substances (such as lead paint in older homes), and respiratory protection.
How to Check Your Painter Is Insured
Do not just take a painter's word for it. Here is what to do:
- Ask for a current certificate of currency — this is a one-page document from the insurer confirming the policy is active, the level of cover, and the expiry date
- Check the certificate shows public liability (not just vehicle or tools insurance)
- Confirm the policy expiry date is after your job will be completed
- If the job is large, ask whether the policy limit is sufficient for the value of your property
If a painter cannot or will not provide a certificate of currency, treat that as a red flag.
Painting and the NZ Building Code
Most interior and exterior repainting does not require a building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act — but there are exceptions. If painting is part of a larger project involving structural work, weathertightness systems, or a change of use, consent may be required. Always check with your local council if you are unsure. MBIE Building Performance has useful guidance on when consent is and is not needed.
Note that painting itself is not restricted building work under the Licensed Building Practitioners scheme, so painters are not required to be LBP-licensed. However, if painting forms part of a weathertight cladding system (such as a textured coating over fibre cement), the underlying work may involve restricted building work carried out by an LBP.
When to Call a Professional
Always hire a professional painter for:
- Any work involving lead paint (common in older homes) — this is a health hazard regulated by WorkSafe NZ
- Exterior work at height requiring scaffolding
- Large commercial or multi-unit projects where body corporates or main contractors require verified insurance
- Specialist coatings, texture systems, or manufacturer-specified paint systems (such as those from Resene, Dulux, or Wattyl) where warranty compliance matters
You can find qualified, insured local painters on tradedirectory.co.nz — always ask for their certificate of currency before signing anything.
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