PRICING GUIDE
How Much Does Design and Construct Insurance Cost?
A practical guide to D&C Insurance pricing in 2026. What affects your premium, indicative ranges, and how to get accurate quotes.
$2.5k
Starting from
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Quote turnaround
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THE SHORT ANSWER
D&C Insurance premiums typically range from $2,500 to $30,000+ per year for most builders, depending on your turnover, type of work, and risk profile.
That range is pretty wide - so let's break down what actually determines your premium and how you can get an accurate quote for your specific situation.
PRICING FACTORS
What Affects Your D&C Insurance Premium?
Understanding these factors helps you anticipate costs and take steps to improve your risk profile.
Annual Turnover
Higher turnover means more projects and more exposure. Expect to pay roughly 0.3-0.8% of your annual turnover in D&C premiums.
Type of Work
Residential single dwellings carry lower risk than multi-storey or commercial. Civil/infrastructure work typically has the highest premiums.
Maximum Contract Value
A $500k residential job has different risk exposure than a $5M commercial project. Larger contracts mean larger potential claims.
Claims History
Past claims or circumstances affect your premium. A clean history helps, but even with claims we can often find cover.
Subcontractor Arrangements
Engaging design consultants and taking responsibility for their work adds vicarious liability exposure to your risk profile.
Limit of Indemnity
Higher cover limits mean higher premiums. Common limits range from $1M for residential to $10-20M for large commercial projects.
2026 PRICING
Indicative Premium Ranges
These are rough guides based on what we've seen across our portfolio. Your actual premium will depend on your specific circumstances.
Residential Builder
Turnover: Under $500k
Residential Builder
Turnover: $500k - $1M
Residential Builder
Turnover: $1M - $3M
Commercial Builder
Turnover: $1M - $5M
Commercial Builder
Turnover: $5M+
Note: These are indicative ranges only. Your actual premium depends on your specific risk profile, claims history, and coverage requirements. Get a personalised quote for accurate pricing.
REAL EXAMPLES
What Our Clients Actually Pay
Here's what D&C Insurance actually costs for builders we've placed recently. These are real premiums (rounded) for real businesses.
Specialises in custom homes and renovations. Does their own design work for smaller projects and engages architects for larger builds.
Office and retail fit-outs across Sydney. Provides design input on layouts and specifications, coordinates subcontractors.
Designs and installs commercial HVAC systems. Provides engineering specifications and coordinates with builders on new developments.
Residential and light commercial electrical work. Designs electrical systems and provides certification services.
Commercial modular construction. Full D&C responsibility including structural design coordination with engineers.
Residential and commercial solar installations. Designs system layouts and provides performance specifications.
Context: These examples are from placements made in the past 12 months. Premiums vary based on claims history, contract types, subcontractor arrangements, and other factors. Your quote may differ.
COST REDUCTION
How to Reduce Your D&C Insurance Premium
While pricing depends on your risk profile, there are practical steps you can take to improve your insurability and potentially reduce your premium.
Review Your Contracts
Unlimited liability clauses are red flags for insurers. Limiting liability to professional fees or a reasonable multiple can significantly affect your premium.
Maintain Good Documentation
Robust systems for documenting design decisions, client approvals, and variations mean better defence if a claim arises - and better premiums.
Ensure Subcontractors Have Cover
If your design subcontractors have their own PI insurance, that reduces your vicarious liability exposure. Make it a contract condition.
Consider Your Excess
A higher excess can reduce your premium. But make sure you can actually afford the excess if you need to claim.
Work With a Specialist Broker
A broker who understands construction risks knows which insurers to approach. We regularly save clients thousands by knowing where to place their cover.
Getting an Accurate Quote
Online calculators can give you a ballpark, but they can't assess your specific risk profile. For an accurate quote, we'll typically ask about:
- → What type of construction work do you do?
- → What's your annual turnover?
- → What's your largest typical contract value?
- → Do you employ or engage design subcontractors?
- → What limit of indemnity do you need?
- → Have you had any claims or circumstances in the last 5 years?
With this information, we can approach our panel of specialist underwriters and get you accurate pricing within 24-48 hours for most risks.
Skip the guesswork. Get a real quote from specialist construction underwriters who understand your business.
COST FAQS
Common Questions About D&C Insurance Pricing
REVIEWED BY
Jack O'Hagan
D&C Insurance Specialist
Last updated: January 2026
Experience
6+ Years
Insurance & Finance
Specialty
D&C, PI & Hard-to-Place
Construction Risks
Background
Law & Finance
Bachelor of Law, RG146
Network
Steadfast Group
Australian Owned
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